 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
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 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
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Don't Be Afraid of the Dark
- Review Date: August 26, 2011
- R
- Genre: Horror
- 2011
Common Sense Media says
Scary remake features some gore and a young girl in danger.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this horror movie -- a loose remake of a 1973 made-for-TV movie -- focuses on a tween girl who accidentally releases dozens of hungry, scary creatures into an old house. She's often in danger, and although the movie is less bloody than other horror flicks, there are a few extremely gory sequences in which adult characters are disfigured and murdered (slashing, heads bashed, etc.), and the movie's overall tone/feel makes it very scary and suspenseful. Language is extremely mild for an R-rated movie ("hell" is about the worst of it), and an adult couple is seen kissing, with off-screen sex implied.
What's the story?
Ten-year-old Sally (Bailee Madison), whose parents are divorced, is sent to live with her father, Alex (Guy Pearce). Alex is busy renovating a humongous old house and living there with his interior designer girlfriend, Kim (Katie Holmes). Both Alex and Kim have a difficult time relating to the sad, withdrawn girl. Things get even worse when Sally accidentally discovers a hidden room and unwittingly unleashes an army of tiny creatures that are capable of great destruction ... and are very hungry. Unfortunately, Sally can't get any grown-ups to believe that the creatures actually exist. Can she find a way to stop the little beasts before it's too late?
Is it any good?
The original 1973 TV movie that DON'T BE AFRAID OF THE DARK is based on was low on gore and used some half-hidden, inexpensive visual effects to suggest the little monsters; the rest was left up to viewers' imagination. Here, writer/producer Guillermo Del Toro -- teaming with first-time director Troy Nixey -- more or less stays true to that concept, except that this version adds a couple of extra-gory sequences for today's horror hounds, as well as state-of-the-art digital creatures and strong characters.
The bulk of the movie generates a serious amount of suspense and dread, in anticipation of the terrors that might -- or might not -- come. The movie also adds a little girl to the mix, giving the movie a new fairy-tale dimension, similar to Del Toro's Pan's Labyrinth, although this movie seems more based in reality than fantasy. The design is key here. The huge house, as well as some haunting artwork, adds character and a slightly otherworldly mood.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the movie's violence. What's the impact of the gory sequences? Are they scarier than the more suspenseful/tense scenes? Why or why not?
Are either of the grown-ups in this movie role models? Can either of them make an actual connection with Sally when she needs it most?
What makes the little creatures so scary and/or creepy? Is a movie like this more or less scary than a story in which humans hurt each other, rather than creatures?
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AGE
Why even bother?
It is soooo stupid. I really hate it so much. It is not worth seeing. It is not scarry at all.
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AGE
Good little horror flick for tween and up horror fans
I honestly don't see anything in this movie that would make it inappropriate for a 13 year old. Yes, it's pretty scary at times, but that's the point of a horror film, correct? The gore is actually pretty mild for a horror film (even a PG 13 horror film). There is hardly any language... no sex, and no drug use (other than the little girl prescription meds). In my opinion you could feel safe bringing an older tween horror fan to see this movie. When it comes to DVD it will make a great slumber party flick.
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AGE
its not that bad
its not as bad as other Horror movies.scary movies are supposed to have suspence and etc.pre-teens and teenagers have diffrent mature levels.
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AGE
There are scarier things to fear then the dark
The movie don't be afraid of the dark, while branded as a horror movie is not as gory as some of the other horror movies out these days (Final Destination 5) and is a excellent movie for any teens that seem interested in the horror genre but are not yet ready for all the gore and possible nudity that usually comes with most movies in this genre. Yet that is not to say that this movie is completely bloodless and lacking scares as the little creatures that terrorize Sally and her family are a consent threat through out the entire movie and are also fairly vicious and don't hesitate to attack in a variety of manners and actually end up killing 3 people through the course of the movie.
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AGE
PG-13 rating cut
This movie should be rated PG-13 for language,horror violence and drug use and frightening images
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AGE
Doesn't really live up to an R rating. And not as scary as I thought it would be. Insidious still the best 2011 horror film.
My MPAA Rating, PG-13: Brief scenes of some explicit disturbing violence, thematic content, and, frightening creature scenes, terror, some involving children.
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AGE
dont see it, its boring
it's not even that bad. idk why its rated r. it is violent, but you can just close your eyes. its only like one 1-3 violent parts. but the movie was disaponting. it wasnt even scary.
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AGE
Don't Be Afraid of the Dark will make you want to sleep with the lights on.
Don't Be Afraid of the Dark is an excellent horror film. A lil' slow, but quickly picks up farther into the film. The director does an excellent job of dark/light elements, staying far away from the creatures in the beginning, and at the point of the climax, you get the first look of the terrifying creatures (up-close, details shown with great effects). The violence was not too bad. It was PG-13 level violence. The story tie in to the tooth fairy was creative. If your child is interested in horror movies, start them out on this. It contains no sex, no language, and minimal violence. My Suggested MPAA Rating, PG-13: Some brief moments of strong violence, thematic content, and terror
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Kid, 10 years old
November 14, 2011
AGE
Best Movie!!!
very scary! scariest movie of 2011!!! very creepy mini tooth fairies and very disturbing, scary beginning and ending!!!
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| Studios: | FilmDistrict, Miramax |
| Director: | Troy Nixey |
| Cast: | Bailee Madison, Guy Pearce, Katie Holmes |
| Genre: | Horror |
| Run time: | 99 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | August 26, 2011 |
| DVD release date: | January 3, 2012 |
| MPAA rating: | R |
| MPAA explanation: | violence and terror |
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