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To Die For

(1995, Rated R, Drama, Starring Matt Dillon, Nicole Kidman, Joaquin Phoenix)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 16, age appropriate for kids over 17; suggested age 16.
  • Is it any good?

    4.0
  • Common Sense says

    Brilliant, satirical and dark; not for kids.

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 16–17

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    Movie presents a world of characters with few goals and even fewer moral guideposts.
  • Violence:

    A man is murdered while begging for his life.
  • Sex:

    A young man is sexually initiated by an older female authority figure. Sex is mentioned and shown without nudity.
  • Language:

    Very strong profanity, most of it uttered by teenagers.
  • Consumerism:

    Some, generally muted and in the background. USA Today, Coca Cola, the rock band Whitesnake.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Pot smoking, several allusions to drinking and drug use by teenage characters.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About To Die For

Parents need to know that this film is suitable only for older teenagers. The movie plays on a number of sexual and ethnic stereotypes and situations that require either parental guidance or an extraordinary sophistication in recognizing social and movie satire. There are a number of violent and sexually explicit scenes. An older woman seduces a teen with the intent of having him murder her husband. A man is killed while begging for his life. Teens verbally abuse each other. Drugs and alcohol are used without consequence. Parents should also know that although the film's treatment of sexual and violent situations is generally muted, a younger teenager is likely to miss the satiric thrust of the movie and remember the scenes of cruelty and psychological abuse.

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Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about the movie's treatment of fame and celebrity. What is it about our society that draws people like Suzanne to seek fame and celebrity? Parents may also want to discuss the film's student-teacher relationship. How does self-esteem play a role in Suzanne's manipulation of her accomplices? What would you do if a teacher acted in a similarly inappropriate manner?

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