 | 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. |
Drag Me to Hell
- Review Date: May 26, 2009
- PG-13
- Genre: Horror
- 2009
Common Sense Media says
More scares than gore, but still too much for young kids.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
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.
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?
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.
What families can talk about
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?
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AGE
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.
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AGE
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.
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AGE
its awesome!!<3
is so good and frightning!!! :)
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AGE
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!
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AGE
:]
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:]
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AGE
Great movie for younger teens!!!
LOVE THIS MOVIE!!! NOT to inappropriate! A little violence and some scary stuff but good!
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AGE
good for older teens
It had a good plot and the ending sucked. It was scary for those who get scared from "undead" things.
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AGE
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.
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| Studio: | Universal Pictures |
| Director: | Sam Raimi |
| Cast: | Alison Lohman, Justin Long, Lorna Raver |
| Genre: | Horror |
| Run time: | 99 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | May 29, 2009 |
| DVD release date: | October 12, 2009 |
| MPAA rating: | PG-13 |
| MPAA explanation: | sequences of horror violence, terror, disturbing images and language |
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