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The Box

(2009, Rated PG-13, Thriller, Starring Cameron Diaz, Frank Langella, James Marsden)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 11, age appropriate for kids over 15; suggested age 13.
  • Is it any good?

    1.0
  • Common Sense says

    Creepy thriller too confusing for kids, awful for adults.

Themes in this movie include:   family relationships, honesty, loss, revenge

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 13–15

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    Despite the movie's overwhelmingly negative message about humans being more selfish than selfless, Norma and Arthur's actions ultimately prove that as parents, at least, they have enough unconditional love for their child to be completely self-sacrificing.
  • Role models :

    Despite their decision to hit the "button unit," Norma and Arthur are repentant and remorseful about their actions and go to great lengths to try to right their wrongs. They never spend any of the money they "won" and instead try to track down the many mysteries surrounding the strange offer they were given.
  • Violence:

    The entire movie is based on a violent premise: Couples must decide whether to sentence someone they don't know to death and win $1 million or to pass up the lucrative offer. There's also gun violence, scenes that feature two dead women, a kidnapped child, and other bizarre, disturbing goings on. One of the main characters is horribly disfigured in the face, and another protagonist is missing almost all of the toes on her foot. Characters often have strange nose bleeds and act creepily in general.
  • Sex:

    A married couple embraces several times, exchanges longing looks, and kisses passionately.
  • Language:

    On the milder side -- one use of "s--t," plus "hell," "damn," "stupid," and "Jesus" used as an exclamation.
  • Consumerism:

    Corvette, Jack Daniels, and JVC are all seen.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Adults drink wine, cocktails, and champagne at a rehearsal dinner and reception. Arthur says he "needs a drink" and has a glass of whisky.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About The Box

Parents need to know that this Cameron Diaz thriller from the director of Donnie Darko is based on a macabre premise: that human beings would rather win money than protect a stranger's life. It's too confusing and intense for tweens and young teens, and, in addition to the cloud of violence hovering over the entire movie, there are several disturbing images, including an upsetting disfigurement; two women being killed at close range; people who have eerie, unexpected nosebleeds; a fatal car accident; and gun violence. The swearing is fairly mild (one use of "s--t" is as strong as it gets), the sexuality is limited to the main couple kissing passionately and embracing, and the drinking is mostly social and done by adults. Still, most kids won't want to bother figuring out the movie's dark themes and puzzling plot.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about what the movie's experiment says about human nature. Is money more important than a stranger's life?
  • What would have you done given the same choice? Was what happened after the characters "hit the button" predictable?
  • Do movies have to be believable or relatable to be entertaining?

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Our Members Say

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Parent Reviewer
    I rate this title on for age 15 and give it 1.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive consumerism

    mature subject matter

  2. Teen Reviewer Age 16
    Lives in California
    I rate this title off for age 13 and give it 1.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence

    this movie was beyond terrible. csm was sooo right. the plot was stupid. it was very creepy. my friends and i were were very disapointed.it was confusing and also very disturbing. the best part was the previews. seriously, dont waste your money!

  3. Kid Reviewer Age 12
    Lives in Virginia
    I rate this title on for age 12 and give it 4.0

    eerie confusing thriller is brilliant

    forget the conept of the box because you don'y ned it all you neeed to know is the investigate the button and begin to unravel the ultimate conspiracy theory sure it's confusing but a good vide and a brilliant mind can figure the film out but still have question which is why the requires you to like the people working with the box don't ask questions

  4. Parent Reviewer
    Lives in Ohio
    I rate this title on for age 14 and give it 4.0

    Great movie

    Wow....I really disagree with CSM on this one. I thought it was a great movie with themes that can be discussed with teens about morals and what's important in life. Very much like "The Day the Earth Stood Still," this flick centers on the idea that we, as humans, make some very poor choices -- and if we want the race to continue, we'd better all clean up our lives! My 14 year old really enjoyed it, too. I thought it was a great movie.

  5. I rate this title iffy for age 13 and give it 3.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Excessive consumerism
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use
    • Negative message

    The Movie Man on THE BOX

    Cameron Diaz stars in the action thriller "THE BOX". According to the trailer this movie might look fine for ages eleven and up but its not. This movie is scary. There is a loud gun shot that will make people jump and there are people popping out randomly. There is also some blood and some disturbing scenes like a foot with one toe and a man mssing a side of his face. Even the background music is a little scary. Besides that there are a lot of slow parts which can make the movie a little boring. There is a whole lot of action also. There is a car crash a gun to the head and is threatened to get in the car. Also a younged boy is snatched and kidnapped and made blind and deaf. A couple is losing money and has to make a choice to get a million dollars by pushing a button which will kill someone they don't know. There is some drinking in the movie. This movie might be good to skip but if you must see this action movie make sure you are 13 and up.

  6. I rate this title iffy for age 13 and give it 3.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Excessive consumerism
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use
    • Negative message

    The Movie Man on THE BOX

    Cameron Diaz stars in the action thriller "THE BOX". According to the trailer this movie might look fine for ages eleven and up but its not. This movie is scary. There is a loud gun shot that will make people jump and there are people popping out randomly. There is also some blood and some disturbing scenes like a foot with one toe and a man mssing a side of his face. Even the background music is a little scary. Besides that there are a lot of slow parts which can make the movie a little boring. There is a whole lot of action also. There is a car crash a gun to the head and is threatened to get in the car. Also a younged boy is snatched and kidnapped and made blind and deaf. A couple is losing money and has to make a choice to get a million dollars by pushing a button which will kill someone they don't know. There is some drinking in the movie. This movie might be good to skip but if you must see this action movie make sure you are 13 and up.

  7. Parent Reviewer
    I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 3.0

    another Darko-esque movie with plot twists and a much deeper core than a typical movie. If you have never seen Donnie Darko or S. Darko, than you may not get the complexities of this film. I feel the deep internal struggle would be a little too much for Younger children to understand.

  8. Parent Reviewer
    I rate this title iffy for age 17 and give it 2.0

    iffy

    We both though the move was convoluted at best. Boring and certainly would not recommend it.

  9. Parent Reviewer
    Lives in Texas
    I rate this title iffy for age 13 and give it 3.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence

  10. Kid Reviewer Age 11
    Lives in Connecticut
    I rate this title iffy for age 13 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Negative role models

    • My highlights are:
    • Good role models

    very confusing, and has alot to do with the god, NOT a slasher flick.

  11. I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Negative message

    A Huge contender for best actress Cameron Diaz Along with Thw two main roles for the movie precious one for Mo'nique and one for The young girl

    this is going to be sooooooooooooo awasome with cameron Diaz my prediction Best actress Cameron Diaz!

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