Tools for this page
Print

Eyes Wide Shut

(1999, Rated R, Drama, Starring Tom Cruise, Nicole Kidman, Sydney Pollack)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

    (Flash is loading. If this text does not disappear you need to install the latest flash version)

    Not age appropriate for kids under 17, age appropriate for kids over 17; suggested age 17.
  • Is it any good?

    2.0
  • Common Sense says

    Disturbing and completely inappropriate for kids.

Why We Rated This not for kids

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    Most of the characters in this film engage in what is commonly considered deviant social behavior (e.g. drug use, sex with prostitutes, adultery). Some even openly encourage such behavior. The consequences for engaging in such behavior only falls upon prostitutes.
  • Violence:

    Not an issue.
  • Sex:

    Female full frontal nudity, numerous sex scenes, an orgy scene, implied teenage prostitution.
  • Language:

    Frequent use of all major curse words.
  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Drinking, drug overdose, marijuana use.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Eyes Wide Shut

Parents need to know that this is a very adult film, with rampant female nudity, scenes that border on soft-core pornography, and a very mature treatment of the standard themes of jealousy and infidelity. All women are naked at some point, and (except for Alice) are junkies, prostitutes, or both. People abuse alcohol and marijuana. One character pimps his young teenage daughter.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about the reaction of the main character, Dr. William Harford, to his wife's admission about a sexual fantasy that she once had about another man. Was his reaction justified? What alternative, perhaps even more productive, course of action could he have taken to deal with how he was feeling? Viewers could also talk about the representation of women in this film. Is it acceptable?

Want more? Get Common Sense recommendations delivered to your inbox.

Our Members Say

Have you seen it? Review It!

  • What did you think about Eyes Wide Shut?
  •  I think this movie is

    for ages

  •  I also give it

  •  Any concerns?

  •  Any highlights?

  •  Love it? Hate it?

  • or to post a review

Most Recent Reviews

  1. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    Lives in California
    I rate this title iffy for age 14 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Negative role models

    Watch it!

    Let me first just say, this is a masterpiece. Don't listen to people who don't believe this, they can't understnad the true meaning of it. At first I watched it, and I pretty much hated it. I thought that it was graphic, inappropriate, and odd. Then I watched an in-depth analysis, it's on YouTube, just type in "Eyes Wide Shut anaylsis" there are three parts. PLEASE WATCH IT IF YOU ARE UNSURE ABOUT YOU'RE FEELINGS FOR THIS MOVIE! It definitally changed my view, now I going around reccomending it to everyone. I'm 13, so I was shocked by the graphic sex scenes, but they're not really that bad. So watch it!

  2. Teen Reviewer Age 16
    Lives in Pennsylvania
    I rate this title off for age 17 and give it 5.0

    Misunderstood

    Eyes Wide Shut is not the pornographic nonsense so many others think it is. It is a slow-paced, dreamlike sequence of sexual fantasies. I understand why people hate it, though. Women will clearly be offended by their treatment in the film. Though I'm sure if the story was rversed (that is, told from a woman's perspective), women wouldn't have the same feeling, nd men would feel offended by being dropped down from the leadership and pimp-like position they fancy they automatically have. I will agree it is not for children at all, though.

  3. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Virginia
    I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 5.0

    Amazing movie that has deep messages within it.

    Whoever said this movie is a piece of pornographic garbage is clearly an idiot with no brain, or more likely a religious idiot with no brain. Of course there is sex in this movie, but it is neither emotionally rewarding to the characters or is it appealing to watch (Mostly the orgy scenes) this is what Kubrick intended. In Nicole Kidman's and Tom Cruise's relationship there are no real feelings of love or hate, they look at each other with their eyes wide shut. If you want to understand what I mean see the movie.

  4. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Nevada
    I rate this title off for age 17 and give it 4.0

    Graphic sexual masterpiece...

    Stanley Kubrick has done it again, but this time it is certainly not for anyone under 17.

  5. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Texas
    I rate this title iffy for age 17 and give it 4.0

    First time i saw it, i was 10,

    My sister rented this movie from blockbusters when she was 15...I wanted to watch it too..now certainly it isnt something you would want your young child watching, but from first hand experience, it really didnt fase me much..now i look at it differently. i'm not completly turned off by it, but i think its rather interesting and excentric.

  6. Adult Reviewer
    I rate this title off for age 17 and give it 0.0

    Pornographic garbage

    Why did I watch this? Full of sex, pornography, language and unfaithfulness. Why would anyone want to fill their heads with this garbage? Tom and Nicole made a BIG mistake.

More Great Stuff For Your Kids

  • Now Playing

    Where the Wild Things Are

    Where the Wild Things Are

    Sometimes-dark adaptation focuses on friendship, loneliness.

  • Tech Tip

    Protecting privacy is a bigger issue than predators.Beyond Safety

    Protecting privacy is a bigger issue than predators.

  • Must See TV

    Glee

    Glee

    Edgy-but-quirky comedy's music, message will win teens over.

  • Pick of the Week

    Online Homework Help

    Online Homework Help

    Best Online Homework Helpers

  • Game of the Week

    NHL 10

    NHL 10

    Excellent, authentic pro hockey sim includes brawls.

Give Us a Minute, Get a Lot of Common Sense!
  • Age-appropriate best bets for your kids
  • Weekly email alert with the latest picks, reviews & advice
  • Post your own reviews and share them with friends

This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.
A screen name protects your privacy
To post a review or comment you must become a Common Sense Member. It's easy!

Set-up your account
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.

Choose a screen name
It will appear when you post your own reviews and recommendations.
A screen name protects your privacy

Tell us your children's ages
You'll see the movies, games, books, shows, music, and sites our editors select just for them. As your children get older, our picks will grow with them!Why we ask for this
We never display your children's names, (or nicknames) to anyone, but you. Providing your children's ages allows us to personalize information on our site, so you get better information, faster.
is
until
(optional)
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
Add another child

We can make Common Sense just right for you. With a little info about you and your family, you'll get the most out of our site.

Set-up your account
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.

Tell us your children's ages
You'll see the movies, games, books, shows, music, and sites our editors select just for them. As your children get older, our picks will grow with them!
Why we ask for this
We never display your children's names, (or nicknames) to anyone, but you. Providing your children's ages allows us to personalize information on our site, so you get better information, faster.
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
Add another child

Choose a screen name
It will appear when you post your own reviews and recommendations
A screen name protects your privacy