 | 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. |
Ginger Snaps
- Review Date: September 12, 2005
- R
- Genre: Horror
- 2000
Common Sense Media says
Very, very violent horror flick.
Parents say
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this film is extremely violent. There are vicious werewolf attacks on both animals and people, and copious amounts of blood. There is also one not very explicit sex scene, and a great deal of strong language.
What's the story?
Teenagers love horror movies, and GINGER SNAPS has plenty of scares and blood and monsters. Sisters Ginger (Katherine Isabelle) and Brigitte (Emily Perkins) are obsessed with death -- one of the puns on the movie's title is the series of photographs they take of each other in various forms of lifelessness. But one night Ginger crosses a new line -- she gets her period. At nearly the exact same moment, she is attacked by a werewolf, and begins to become one herself.
Is it any good?
Ginger Snaps attempts to create a metaphor -- menstruation and the changes it brings to personality and sexuality are like the raging blood lust of the werewolf. There's something interesting in that parallel, but ultimately the film doesn't follow through on the idea, but becomes simply a parade of attacks, some brutal, some darkly funny. The two girls give very strong performances, particularly Perkins, and Brigitte's own transformation from mousy sidekick to werewolf hunter is impressive. It's refreshing to see a young girl take on the hero's role in this kind of film.
Teenagers may enjoy though they may not pick up on the "message" it's trying to convey. As a horror film it works fine. As a satiric commentary on adolescence it doesn't succeed quite as well. It's extremely violent, and parents should use discretion in allowing their children to see it. Older teens will think it's fine, but younger kids could be terrified.
Explore, discuss, enjoy
Families can talk about Ginger and Brigitte's obsession with death, their very strong bond to each other, and how Ginger's maturation changes that. You might want to ask your teens what they think the appeal of movies like this is in the first place.
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Teen, 14 years old
January 25, 2011
AGE
for all ages
not really violent though very good storyline and acting loved it
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Teen, 14 years old
November 26, 2011
AGE
Every teen should see!!!!
This movie is one of my favorites. Although it has the F bomb about ever other second it has a very good message. The movies message is that growing up turns you into a monster and that every one has to go through it. I suggest every one should see this as a teen especialy teen girls.
What other families should know:
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Teen, 14 years old
April 14, 2011
AGE
A Genuinely Great Film for Mentally Mature Teens and Above
I saw this movie on TV late one night, and I was just blown away. Edgy, Gothic, Funny, Cynicism made this Werewolf film great. It contains a message on puberty, paralleling it with Lycanthropism. I fell in love with this movie, and I recommend it to everyone who is old enough to really "get" it.
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Kid, 11 years old
May 7, 2010
AGE
i am eleven and i absouluteley love it!!!!
I love this movie, but it isn't a crappy gore movie as depicted. it is very good overall.
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Adult
April 18, 2009
AGE
NOT FOR KIDS! An iffy 16+ crowd is recommended.
I LOVE this movie! One of my all time favorites. I caught it on TV one night years ago, not knowing a thing about it, I watched the entire thing and absolutely loved it, then bought it. It's super dark and eerie and it does have its scary moments throughout. Played exquisitely by both Katherine and Emily, the effects are great and the story is awesome for a horror. Basically about two close sisters who are best friends and inseparable who also share a major interest in death and dying. One night while planning to prank a popular high school student, Ginger gets viciously attacked by a werewolf in the woods but manages to escape with her sister Brigitte. As if things weren't complicated enough, Ginger must cope with her body changing drastically fast while Brigitte and her drug dealing friend must find an answer before it's too late. Yes, there is drugs involved even though CommonSense says it's non-applicable. There is a drug dealer (marijuana plants are shown in a green house) and also a scene of a group of kids smoking it. Lots of cigarette smoking by teens throughout the film. The violence is extreme, very gory and the language is very strong and persistent. The one 'sort of' sex scene shows nothing...just a bit of making out prior to it. Also some kissing and groping. Overall, this movie rocks for any hardcore horror fan! See it!
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Teen, 13 years old
March 25, 2012
AGE
Not that violent.
Great script awesome acting saw this on Halloween with my dad and 10 year old brother not very violent though some gruesome images and lots of language,but overall OK for most mature teens.
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Teen, 17 years old
February 11, 2013
AGE
Ginger Snaps
This movie is one of my favorites. Although it has the F bomb about ever other second it has a very good message. The movies message is that growing up turns you into a monster and that every one has to go through it. I suggest every one should see this as a teen especialy teen girls.
What other families should know:
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| Studio: | Copperheart Entertainment |
| Director: | John Fawcett |
| Cast: | Emily Perkins, Katharine Isabelle, Mimi Rogers |
| Genre: | Horror |
| Run time: | 108 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | September 13, 2000 |
| DVD release date: | September 13, 2001 |
| MPAA rating: | R |
| MPAA explanation: | extremely graphic violence, strong language, sexual situations |
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