Drag Me to Hell (PG-13, 2009)

common sense media says

More scares than gore, but still too much for young kids.


parents & educators say
  • 50% say violence is an issue
  • 36% say language is an issue

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this is a review of the movie seen in theaters and not the unrated version available on DVD. Many of the scares, jumps, and jolts in this horror/action movie from Spider-Man director Sam Raimi are played for comic effect. Still, it's quite bloody, and along with the scary moments and gore, there's extensive discussion of curses, spells, ghosts, and spirits. Surprisingly, the film also has an ethical core, as the main character makes several tough decisions and tries to do the right thing despite implacable odds -- though she occasionally fails.

Positive messages: For all of the movie's horror-film trappings and scares, the message about the consequences of your ethical choices is quite strong.
Positive role models: Lohman's character repeatedly struggles to do the right thing. The movie offers a stereotypical depiction of "Gypsies," but it's notmalicious and is in keeping with the movie's horror-film historicalcontext.
Violence: High on scares, but they're peppered with some humor. Extensive fighting and scuffling, with a mix of graphic imagery and good-natured goofiness; blood, but in such outlandish amounts that the effect is ultimately more cartoony than grisly. An old woman grapples with the main character, who fights her off with fists, a stapler, and the laws of gravity; a staple is plunged into human flesh. A spectral vision is hit by a falling heavy object, to squishy, comedic effect; spectral forces hurl, batter, and buffet people around. A machete is used. Discussion and depiction of animal sacrifice.
Sex: Kissing; an unmarried couple wakes up in the same bed. Some wearing of damp, clingy clothing on the main character's part.
Language: Extensive use of "hell," also occasional use of "damn," "ass," "pissed," "s--t," "screw," "bitch," "Christ's sake," "oh my God," "goddamn," "whore," and one barely articulated, under-the-breath use of "f--k."
Consumerism: Some brands seen (Apple, Motorola) and mentioned (American Express).
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Characters drink wine and speak of relatives who were alcoholics.

More on Drag Me to Hell

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
  • Families can talk about the choices Christine faces. What could her character have done differently? What would the cost of those decisions be?
  • Families can also discuss the tradition of horror films as cautionarytales; do the scares and startling moments make the message go downmore easily?

What's the story?

What's the story?
Loan officer Christine Brown (Alison Lohman) works at a L.A. bank; she's trying to earn a promotion to assistant manger, enjoying her relationship with her boyfriend Clay (Justin Long) and generally trying to get ahead. But when she denies a loan extension to an old woman (Lorna Raver) to prove thay she can make the "tough calls," the woman retaliates by attacking Christine and then by cursing her, shackling Christine's fate to the arrival of a spirit called "The Lamia," which in three days' time will pull her to eternal damnation.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

Quick, lively, and full of lighthearted (albeit bloody) mayhem, DRAG ME TO HELL deserves to be one of the sleeper hits of the summer of 2009. It traffics more in scares than gore (although it does have enough of an ick factor to have you squirming in your seat), and it's built around a sympathetic character and has an underlying theme about the costs of modern capitalism and getting ahead -- plus, of course, monsters, demons, and spirits.

Raimi has returned to his roots here, and the fact is that he's even better as a filmmaker -- more comfortable with effects, more skilled in his storytelling, more carefully calibrating the line between over the top and out of bounds that so few horror filmmakers know how to walk. Lohman's also terrific; she's scared and vulnerable, but she's also a decent person trying like crazy to get out of a serious problem. Lohman makes you buy Christine's emotional and moral journey as much as you believe the supernatural scares and action. Drag Me to Hell is a real pleasure -- a mix of old-fashioned B-movie ideas and great modern movie-making skill.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: Universal Pictures
Director: Sam Raimi
Cast: Alison Lohman, Justin Long, Lorna Raver
Genre: Horror
Run time: 99 minutes
Theatrical release: May 29, 2009
DVD release: October 12, 2009
MPAA Rating: PG-13
MPAA explanation: sequences of horror violence, terror, disturbing images and language
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This review was written by James Rocchi
 
 

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What parents & educators say

14
Based on 14 parent & educator reviews:
  • 50% say violence is an issue
  • 36% say language is an issue

Most useful reviews by all members

nightmaric
teen, 16 years old
 
This movie is fine for those 12 and up
Jump scares abound here and most people can handle that. Sure 8-10 year old probably couldn't handle it but if your kid says he or she is ready, let them. It won't kill you to let them see a horror movie. It's not like they are going to go out and try and do the things in the movie. And as for language, they probably heard most cuss words from people at school or their parents.

iluvtheexorcist33
teen, 13 years old
 
it was okayy kinda spookyy :\
mehh

slasher23
teen, 16 years old
 
very violent and some gory.language

cuteypie556
teen, 14 years old
 
its awesome!!<3
is so good and frightning!!! :)

 
:]
I am ten years old, but I am in fifth grade so I like to consider myself 11. I don't really like this movie, but I'd have to say it's for tweens who love horror like me:]

bananalover
teen, 16 years old
 
awesome
this movie is scary

Facebooker
teen, 13 years old
 
good for older teens
It had a good plot and the ending sucked. It was scary for those who get scared from "undead" things.

eastside01
teen, 17 years old
 
Drag Me to Hell.
Drag Me to hell is a great time at the movies it delivers scares and humor and sometimes mixed. It's nice to Sam Raimi return to his roots where he first started before Spider-Man such as The Evil Dead Trilogy. This may scare some younger viewers but other than that worth your money.

danielellarby
teen, 14 years old
 
Excellent movie
This film is an extremely entertaining film with a great and pretty actress in the main role. The plot is very imaginative, a little gory but disguised with humour. With great scares and good tension parts Drag Me To Hell is an excellent choice.

SumBO
kid, 13 years old
 
Fine for tweens and teens
there is Quite a bit of Language, Theres no Sex, And Some Violence I think this is Fine for tweens and teens.

littlemonster98
teen, 13 years old
 
Great movie for younger teens!!!
LOVE THIS MOVIE!!! NOT to inappropriate! A little violence and some scary stuff but good!

ArabianHorses
teen, 16 years old
 
Not scary, just funny!
Its not scary at ALL! Its funny!!! The gore is so over the top it doesn't even look real! And a GREAT horror movie ending!!!! Plus the main charcter does try to do the right thing! So she is a good role model!

xxhannahbriellexx
teen, 15 years old
 
don't waste your time watching this movie.
this movie has terrible effects, and it's crappy. don't waste your time. it was the worst 2 hours of me life. the blood looks like tomato juicee.

Doodelium
kid, 13 years old
 
One of the Best
This is probably on eof tthe best newer horror movies. It is very scary, original, well-acted, and its funny in parts too. I suggest this to anyone who likes horror movies or someone who wants to watch one that is not too scary.

Yeah.
teen, 14 years old
 
Check my page for other great recommendations.
I'm not here to give a review because if it shows up on my page its a 5 star movie and so therefore you know what i think about it.

OGORMAN
teen, 16 years old
 
A pretty good movie with original storyline, but kind of crappy effects.
Do I start with the good or the bad on this one? Hmm... Good first I think. The story line is strong and original. Lohman is a talented actress, as well as Jason Long. Most of the scenes that were meant to be scary were okay... Now the bad. Alright, so a lot of the effects like the goat-demon-thingy and the old lady's ghost sticking her fist in Lohman's mouth to shut her up weren't the best, honestly they were (like the review says) cartoonish at times and crappy. Lohman's constant screaming gets annoying really quickly. And last but not least: I actually cried when she did the whole "cat sacrifice" to get rid of the goat-demon-thingy! Then when it didn't work and I realized she killed her cute little kitty for nothing... I bawled! It's still a pretty good movie though.

anthoni4565
kid, 1 year old
 
. Perfect for older kids, but not for tweens
kinda scary for a PG-13 and the word B*** threw it off it should be rated R

Plague
parent
 
Drag Me to Hell
This movie is light on gore, but heavy on disgust and scares. Not to meantion it is quite humorous, which suprisingly works well.

Synchronicity
teen, 18 years old
 
Drag me to this movie
Now THIS is horror done right. Sam Raimi still has the edge he had in films he directed before Spider-Man. This awesome film opens with a retro Universal logo. Then, a young boy who stole jewelry from a gypsy has weird visions and sounds that weren't there. He was then dragged to Hell by an unknown force. Fast forward 40 years. A loan officer named Christine refuses a request from a gypsy to extend her loan, so the gypsy puts a curse on her. Christine will be dragged to Hell in 3 days. After that scene, this film's pure camp. When I wasn't scared, I was laughing, both in anticipation of the next jump scene and at the hilarious one-liners and cheesy gore. In terms of content, there's only violence, horror, and some mild language. Yes, Drag Me To Hell is scary, but in a good, fun sort of way, just like the Evil Dead movies. If you or your kid is afraid of jump scenes, DO NOT TAKE THEM TO SEE THIS, because there are plenty. There's also a lot of gore for a PG-13 rated movie, but it looks fake and is played for comically cheesy effect, like when Christine has a massive nosebleed, covering her boss in blood from head to toe, and he asks "Did I get any in my mouth?" It's that kind of comic horror that appears in Drag Me To Hell. But there are some scenes that are devoid of such comedy. However, even then, the effect comes off as cheesy. Language is pretty mild for a PG-13, and so is sexual content. In short, see Drag Me To Hell if you want a good, fun scare. It's the perfect film for Halloween. And if you want more horror, check out the unrated version (when it comes out on DVD).

masonlackey
teen, 14 years old
 
very scary not gory
unfortunately in this modern age people seem to be scared by blood and guts but not me one that is able to channel my deepest fears is one i like to watch late at night alone in the middle of my living room if your brave go for it.

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ON: Content is appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child, some content may not be right for some kids
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