 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
The Craft
- Review Date: July 23, 2007
- R
- Genre: Horror
- 1996
Common Sense Media says
Campy teen witch thriller more violent than fun.
Parents say
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this teen Wiccan movie with attractive stars is really about violence and revenge. Several of the characters die graphically, are threatened with death, or are the subject of a death plot. One character is almost raped on-screen. The film also depicts one family with alcoholic, abusive parents. Wiccan and occult practices, real and imagined, are on display in a way that may seem cool to teens. Also, even though this looks like a girl-power movie, it's quite the opposite. It makes it look like the girls are to blame for the things they've been through -- the moral that what you do comes back 10-fold seems to indicate that they should just shut up and take whatever happens to them.
What's the story?
This is a sinister tale of teenage power and witchcraft. Sarah (Robin Tunney) is new to St. Benedict's Academy in L.A. and looking for friends when Bonnie (Neve Campbell) decides she's the perfect choice for her witch's coven. Soon, Sarah, Bonnie, Rochelle (Rachel True) and ringleader Nancy (Fairuza Balk) are casting spells to get even with their high school nemeses. But their spells begin backfiring in dangerous and disturbing ways, and Sarah, the only "natural witch" in the bunch, must protect herself and those she loves from this power she's unleashed.
Is it any good?
What's odd about The Craft is its sneaking moral: It's supposed to warn girls against resentment and revenge, encouraging them to "do unto others as they would have done unto them," as Wiccan mentor Lirio (Assumpta Serna) says. That's all well and good, but there's also a blame-the-victim mentality here. So they'll get back what they have sown three-fold. Does that mean that Sarah deserves to be raped? Does that mean that Nancy, arguably the most damaged from an abusive childhood, deserves to be locked up? Does the epic battle between Nancy and Sarah really mean that there can only be one Queen Bee, one mean girl? Should they have stood up for themselves in some other way, or simply acquiesced to the abuse around them? These are questions teen viewers should consider.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about religion: Some consider Wicca to be a way to worship the Earth. What do you think? How does it compare with other conventional religions?
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AGE
Let your 12 year old`s watch this
It`s a very good film. Nothing that a 12 year old can´t handle.
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AGE
Great movie, mature themes.
Yes, there are drugs, drinking, sexual content, and violence in this movie. I rated it 14 and up because, unless the kid is home-schooled, every 14 year old has seen or heard of everything that goes on that is real in this movie, regardless of whether a parent thinks so or not. This movie shouldn't be a problem for a 14 year old as long as they know what behavior is acceptable and what is not in their home and society.
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Kid, 12 years old
February 17, 2012
AGE
self harm and negative messages
my daughter age 11 watched this film and has been very disturbed by images of self harm it portrayed....think twice before letting your impressionable child watch this film !
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| Studio: | Sony Pictures |
| Director: | Andrew Fleming |
| Cast: | Fairuza Balk, Neve Campbell, Rachel True, Robin Tunney, Skeet Ulrich |
| Genre: | Horror |
| Run time: | 101 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | July 24, 1996 |
| DVD release date: | September 12, 2000 |
| MPAA rating: | R |
| MPAA explanation: | some terror and violence, and for brief language |
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