I watched both versions of this movie (the Japanese and the English version) and the Japanese one was definitely scarier. The English version wasn't bad; it just wasn't nearly as scary, and the acting wasn't as great either. If you're only going to watch one version, watch the Japanese one. The movie is probably too scary for kids under ten, with a little language. This is one of the better horror movies out there, so I recommend it.
Dark Water
-
Is it age appropriate?
About our ratings -
Is it any good?
-
Common Sense says
This scary movie is too creepy for little kids.
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 14–16
What to watch out for
-
Violence:
-
Sex:
-
Language:
-
Consumerism:
-
Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
This review of Dark Water was written by Cynthia Fuchs
Parents need to know that the film features frightening scenes in which a young mother and her six-year-old daughter are haunted by a seeming ghost. The mother is also disturbed by flashbacks to a troubled past (her alcoholic mother tells her she "hates" her) and a custody battle with her estranged husband. The movie includes some language, tense family scenes, and jump scenes.
Families Can Talk About
Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
- Families can talk about the tensions between mother and daughter, in part caused by the mother's past (indicated by nightmares and flashbacks). How does the daughter's "imaginary friend" worry her mother? How does the antagonism between mother and father exacerbate their daughter's fears of abandonment, loss, and retribution? How does the external world (specifically, the apartment) serve as metaphor for mother and daughter's internal states?
Have you seen it? Review It!
More on Dark Water
What’s the Story?
Dahlia's had a troubled childhood and is going through a custody battle over her daughter, Cecilia. When she and Ceci (Ariel Gade) move into a new apartment, Dahlia starts to notice strange things that she connects with previous tenants of the apartment above hers. While she fights her ex, Kyle (Dougray Scott), for custody, she also must deal with the supernatural – the ghost of a little girl abandoned by her parents.
Is It Any Good?
Pushing the edge of PG-13 with regard to scary scenes and family tensions, DARK WATER's greatest strength is Jennifer Connelly. As Dahlia, a young mother in the midst of divorce, Connelly delivers a delicate, moving, and utterly convincing performance. A remake of director Hideo Nakata and writer Kôji Suzuki's 2002 film (they also made Ringu, source for The Ring), Walter Salles' movie creates a world that is rainy, spooky, and grim.
Dahlia's fear of being a bad mother like her own drives her to take repeated horror-movie style risks (walking into empty rooms, exploring the building's roof at night). Dahlia's experiences -- past and present, inside and outside, night and day -- begin to blur, as she's either believing or fulfilling Kyle's judgment that she's "wacko." She turns to a lawyer, Platzer (Tim Roth), who appears alternately quirky and reassuring. On one level, this seems funny (or ironic), that the lawyer is so unable to bring order to her nightmare; on the other hand, his inability to help suggests that Dahlia is abandoned, much as she has feared since she was a child. Horror movies frequently use the figure of the ineffective or bad mom (not to mention the murderous father; see the recent Hide and Seek), and so Dahlia's selfless resolve seems almost bracing. But Dark Water never develops either her particular dilemmas or responses beyond generic conventions. By film's end, it seems, she's still waiting.
Movie Details
Studio: Buena Vista Pictures, Director: Walter Salles
Run time: 105 minutes
Theatrical release: 07/08/2005, DVD release: 12/27/2005
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for mature thematic material, frightening sequences, disturbing images and brief language.
Run time: 105 minutes
Theatrical release: 07/08/2005, DVD release: 12/27/2005
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for mature thematic material, frightening sequences, disturbing images and brief language.
Our Members Say
See all 11 member reviews
Most Recent Reviews
-
I rate this title iffy for age 10 and give it
Japanese version was scarier~
-
I rate this title pause for age 0 and give it
-
I rate this title pause for age 0 and give it
-
I rate this title pause for age 0 and give it
a creepy movie
this is one scary and creepy movie it doesnt have a great plot but it is still a good movie......if u enjoyed the ring u will love this one there wasnt anything to innapropriate....to scary for anyone under 12
-
I rate this title pause for age 0 and give it
Ah ok..........
I got dragged by a friend to go see it and she was freaked out but, it was an "ok" movie. I wasn't Impressed. Overall it was a safe movie for anyone over 12 to see.
-
I rate this title off for age 0 and give it
-
I rate this title on for age 0 and give it
If you liked the ring 2
This movie says that it is is like the ring, but is more like the ring Two. Its about the girl wanting to be Jen's mommy. Wasnt that scary but a few suspenceful sceans and creepy parts. For kids 11+.
-
I rate this title pause for age 0 and give it
good movie not to vilonte.not for kids under11.
-
I rate this title off for age 0 and give it
It's like The Ring 2
Dark water is a little bit scary. And it has bad words in it. The sequence is a little bit tangled up with me. The ghost girl wants to be the other girl's mom. Thats why I gave it a three star. And also my friends are all under age like 8 or7. So if you like The ring watch this horr movie!
-
I rate this title pause for age 0 and give it
-
I rate this title off for age 0 and give it
What a scarymovie ever!
Ok this is not a good kids movie to for my daughter to watch my daughter likes real movies with kids and ths is'nt a good movie for my daughter to watch I'm giving this a R.
Give Recommendations, Get Them, Too!
Become a member and get recommendations from other parents based on your child's age.Tell us your child's age:
Already a member? Log inOur Members Rate It
Have you seen it?
For Your Family
Get age-based recommendations for your kids:
Customize based on your child's age
