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Eyes Wide Shut (R, 1999)

common sense media says

Disturbing and completely inappropriate for kids.

parents & educators say
  • 43% say sexual content is an issue
See all 10 reviews | Review it

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this is a very adult film, with rampant female nudity, scenes that border on soft-core pornography, and a very mature treatment of the standard themes of jealousy and infidelity. All women are naked at some point, and (except for Alice) are junkies, prostitutes, or both. People abuse alcohol and marijuana. One character pimps his young teenage daughter.

Positive messages: Most of the characters in this film engage in what is commonly considered deviant social behavior (e.g. drug use, sex with prostitutes, adultery). Some even openly encourage such behavior. The consequences for engaging in such behavior only falls upon prostitutes.
Violence: Not applicable.
Sex: Female full frontal nudity, numerous sex scenes, an orgy scene, implied teenage prostitution.
Language: Frequent use of all major curse words.
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Drinking, drug overdose, marijuana use.
Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

More on Eyes Wide Shut

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about the reaction of the main character, Dr. William Harford, to his wife's admission about a sexual fantasy that she once had about another man. Was his reaction justified? What alternative, perhaps even more productive, course of action could he have taken to deal with how he was feeling? Viewers could also talk about the representation of women in this film. Is it acceptable?

What's the story?

What's the story?
The story of Dr. William Harford (Tom Cruise) begins after he and his wife Alice (Nicole Kidman) have a discussion about love, desire, and fidelity. After Alice admits that she had thought about other men, William is floored by her admission and embarks on an adventure that is driven by jealousy-fueled visions of his wife having sex with another man. William encounters a world of sexual desire and betrayal that grossly outweighs his own as he finds himself surrounded by the dire consequences of unchecked sexual desire.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
Director Stanley Kubrick handles all of this with his trademark visual power, and like most of his films, this one is beautiful to watch for its elegance and style. Unfortunately, the dialogue can be a bit stilted, which doesn't help Cruise, who gives his usual stiff performance. On the flipside, Kidman and a host of secondary character actors come shining through enough to somewhat help save the film. Despite the few positives, Kubrick's treatment of women in this film is abhorrent, and the movie should not be watched by children.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: Warner Bros.
Director: Stanley Kubrick
Cast: Nicole Kidman, Sydney Pollack, Tom Cruise
Genre: Drama
Run time: 159 minutes
Theatrical release: July 16, 1999
DVD release: March 14, 2000
MPAA Rating: R
MPAA explanation: strong sexual content; nudity; language; drug usage
This review was written by Afsheen Nomai
 
 

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What parents & educators say

15
Based on 7 parent & educator reviews:
  • 43% say sexual content is an issue
Read the reviews

Most useful reviews by all members

xotitanicox
teen, 16 years old
14
 
Watch it!
Let me first just say, this is a masterpiece. Don't listen to people who don't believe this, they can't understnad the true meaning of it. At first I watched it, and I pretty much hated it. I thought that it was graphic, inappropriate, and odd. Then I watched an in-depth analysis, it's on YouTube, just type in "Eyes Wide Shut anaylsis" there are three parts. PLEASE WATCH IT IF YOU ARE UNSURE ABOUT YOU'RE FEELINGS FOR THIS MOVIE! It definitally changed my view, now I going around reccomending it to everyone. I'm 13, so I was shocked by the graphic sex scenes, but they're not really that bad. So watch it!
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Rachel D
adult
 
Pornographic garbage
Why did I watch this? Full of sex, pornography, language and unfaithfulness. Why would anyone want to fill their heads with this garbage? Tom and Nicole made a BIG mistake.
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Ihatethissite
adult
13
 
Amazing movie that has deep messages within it.
Whoever said this movie is a piece of pornographic garbage is clearly an idiot with no brain, or more likely a religious idiot with no brain. Of course there is sex in this movie, but it is neither emotionally rewarding to the characters or is it appealing to watch (Mostly the orgy scenes) this is what Kubrick intended. In Nicole Kidman's and Tom Cruise's relationship there are no real feelings of love or hate, they look at each other with their eyes wide shut. If you want to understand what I mean see the movie.
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bporter28
adult
 
Graphic sexual masterpiece...
Stanley Kubrick has done it again, but this time it is certainly not for anyone under 17.
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johnwi312
adult
15
 
Not shy about sex. No kids allowed (but older teens can handle it).
Extremely sexually graphic, especially in the unrated version. Very frank about nudity and sex, although much of it is more creepy/cold than erotic. Not at all for kids or young teenagers, although some teens 15 and older can watch this and appreciate it. A perfectly made Kubrick masterpiece - intelligent, creepy, hypnotic, and mysterious. Underrated!
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interrupted
adult
 
First time i saw it, i was 10,
My sister rented this movie from blockbusters when she was 15...I wanted to watch it too..now certainly it isnt something you would want your young child watching, but from first hand experience, it really didnt fase me much..now i look at it differently. i'm not completly turned off by it, but i think its rather interesting and excentric.
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Brandon4News
teen, 15 years old
17
 
Sexual drama.. ADULTS ONLY
I watched this film because I'm an avid movie buff and I have my freedoms and no my limits. Children of no age should be subjection to the soft-core pornography within "Eyes Wide Shut".
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whateverfloats
adult
15
 
Intense adult film
Kubrick has made another interesting movie, but one that is definitely for adults. However, mature older teens (15+) might appreciate it.
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Gryfer
adult
16
 
A very good artistic movie with a message that sucks in anyone with an open mind. There is a gratuitous amount of female nudity
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who3697cares
teen, 18 years old
17
 
Misunderstood
Eyes Wide Shut is not the pornographic nonsense so many others think it is. It is a slow-paced, dreamlike sequence of sexual fantasies. I understand why people hate it, though. Women will clearly be offended by their treatment in the film. Though I'm sure if the story was rversed (that is, told from a woman's perspective), women wouldn't have the same feeling, nd men would feel offended by being dropped down from the leadership and pimp-like position they fancy they automatically have. I will agree it is not for children at all, though.
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