Panic Room (R)

Extreme suspense, graphic violence; not for kids.

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Common Sense rates it
4
Seen the movie? Review it
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Movie details
  • Studio: Artisan Entertainment
  • Directed By: David Fincher
  • Cast: Jodie Foster, Forest Whitaker
  • Running Time: 112 minutes
  • Release Date: 03/29/2002
  • Video/DVD Release Date: 09/17/2002
  • Genre: Thriller
  • MPAA Rating: R
  • MPAA Explanation: violence and language

Parents need to know

Parents need to know that this movie has extreme suspense and some graphic violence. A child is in peril. Characters use strong language.

Families can talk about what the characters do to escalate the level of violence, and how acting from emotions as opposed to reason can aggravate problems, no matter how satisfying it may seem at the time. Divorced families will be especially interested in Sarah's father, who has in no way abandoned his daughter.

Message

Social Behavior:

Racially diverse cast

Consumerism:

Drugs/Alcohol/Tobacco:

Character drinks to excess

Violence

Extreme violence Constant peril and suspense

Sex

Mild

Language

Very strong language

Common Sense says

What's the story?

Reviewed by Nell Minow

This thriller, in the claustrophobic mode of Rear Window, finds Meg (Jodie Foster), a recent divorcee, and her combative daughter Sarah (Kristen Stewart), trapped in the secret vault/bomb shelter/safe room set up by their apartment's previous owner, a paranoid millionaire with a squabbling family. The least favorite cousin, Junior (Jared Leto), has broken into the apartment with the help of security expert Burnham (Forest Whitaker) and tag-along psycho Raoul (Dwight Yoakam). The bad guys want in to the vault, where the old millionaire hid his millions. The girls just want to get out, but the protected phone line inside the room hasn't been activated yet (they just moved in). Meg's inner mama tiger takes over escalates as the burglars take more and more drastic steps to try and enter the impregnable vault, and Sarah moves from being a tough, sullen teen to a tough, sullen, wily teen.

Is it any good?

4
PANIC ROOM is not a movie about insight into the human condition or subtle, complex characters. This is just a movie about scaring the heck out of you, and it does that very expertly. On the outside, Forest Whitaker gets to play the good bad guy, while Mr. Leto and Mr. Yoakam act progressively more evil.

For a story which should have been a claustrophobic battle of wits, too often it's simply a battle of violence, although there are some riveting action sequences. And while the family dynamics are underdeveloped, the film does show how divorced parents and their children can remain a family even after separation.

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Parents and kids say

All Reviews

There are 2 reviews.

5


Posted on 11/18/08 by ninjaofthewind Adult contributor

One of the best Thriller's ever.

This movie will have your heart beating very hard. It is extremely suspensful, and honestly, one of the best thriller's I've ever seen. Jodie Foster does fantastic in her role, and the antagonist is extremely revulsive. The biggest issue in this movie is the language. There is a LOT of f*ck's, and a few of most every other word. But f*ck is definitely the word used the most. I haven't counted, but I know it was over 30. The violence isn't like an action movie, but it's more realistic, and there is blood. But seriously, this is a fantastic movie. If your kid is 15 or older, then it's ok, just make sure they're ok with a LOT of cursing. This is definitely a must see movie. One of my favourites.
4

Posted on 06/09/03 by Anonymous Adult contributor

Good Psychological Thriller

This movie was nothing like what I expected. It will keep you on the edge of your seat.

Adult Reviews

There are 2 reviews.

5


Posted on 11/18/08 by ninjaofthewind Adult contributor

One of the best Thriller's ever.

This movie will have your heart beating very hard. It is extremely suspensful, and honestly, one of the best thriller's I've ever seen. Jodie Foster does fantastic in her role, and the antagonist is extremely revulsive. The biggest issue in this movie is the language. There is a LOT of f*ck's, and a few of most every other word. But f*ck is definitely the word used the most. I haven't counted, but I know it was over 30. The violence isn't like an action movie, but it's more realistic, and there is blood. But seriously, this is a fantastic movie. If your kid is 15 or older, then it's ok, just make sure they're ok with a LOT of cursing. This is definitely a must see movie. One of my favourites.
4

Posted on 06/09/03 by Anonymous Adult contributor

Good Psychological Thriller

This movie was nothing like what I expected. It will keep you on the edge of your seat.

Kids Reviews

There are 0 reviews.

There are no kids reviews.

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