Gothika (R, 2003)

common sense media says

Grisly, disturbing, extremely violent horror film.


parents & educators say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this movie has intense peril and disturbing, graphic, and grisly images of violence. There are references to extremely violent crimes. There is nudity in a scene of a group shower and a joke about circumcision. Characters use very strong language. One positive note is the portrayal of a strong, intelligent, resourceful black woman.

Positive role models: Portrayal of a strong, intelligent, resourceful black woman.
Violence: Graphic and grisly images of violence; creepy and very scary peril, murders. Very scary peril.
Sex: Non-sexual nudity, references to rape and sexual torture.
Language: Some very strong language.
Consumerism: Not applicable.

More on Gothika

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about Pete's comment that "the ability to repress is actually a vital survival tool." What other survival tools did Miranda demonstrate?

What's the story?

What's the story?
In GOTHIKA, Dr. Miranda Gray (Halle Berry) is a psychiatrist at a facility for the criminally insane. The director of the facility is her husband, Doug (Charles S. Dutton). Driving home on a dark and stormy night, Miranda swerves to avoid hitting a girl standing in the road. When she gets out of the car, she sees that the girl is badly hurt. Miranda tries to talk to her. The next thing she knows, she wakes up in the mental hospital, but now she is on the other side of the glass wall. She is a patient. Doug has been murdered, and all of the evidence points to Miranda as the killer. How can she find out what really happened if everyone thinks she is crazy?

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
Director Mathieu Kassovitz (who played the love interest in Amelie) creates a nicely creepy feeling with Gothika, though he overdoes the flickering lights and the guess-what's-just-out-of-our-field-of-vision surprises. But the last half and especially the last half hour are both predictable and preposterous. When Miranda explains that "Logic is overrated" in the middle of a climactic confrontation, it feels like a last-minute attempt to justify the resolution of a movie that begins as a promisingly creepy thriller but then falls apart.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: Warner Bros.
Director: Mathieu Kassovitz
Cast: Halle Berry, Penelope Cruz, Robert Downey Jr.
Genre: Thriller
Run time: 95 minutes
Theatrical release: November 20, 2003
DVD release: March 22, 2004
MPAA Rating: R
MPAA explanation: violence, brief language and nudity

This review was written by Nell Minow
 
 

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What parents & educators say

15

Most useful reviews by all members

Pit bull loverr
kid, 12 years old
 
It wasn't the best movie to see for kids. i do love horror movies thoe. anyways it is not for kids in an way.

 
GOTHIKA
I am dying to know what GOTHIKA means! It has nothing to do with this scarefest! The movie is bloody and violent but there is no sexual stuff except a few references to rape, and some brief nudity (if you can see it).

BlueRocks360
kid, 13 years old
 

jsharpe
parent of 13 year old
 

 
graphic
Don't let anyone under 16 even around this movie!

ApolloPhoenix
teen, 14 years old
 
Brilliant!!!!
I thought this movie was cool, I don't thinks it's scary

 
Well...
It was an ok movie.It wasn't scary; it only made me jump at a few scenes.

britneyPANTS
teen, 18 years old
 
I aplauded!
Gothika is a must-see for anybody into horror movies. It's an interesting plot and a clever idea for a movie but also may be seen as rather disturbing. Gothika keeps you guessing and is very suspenesful. Probably not appropiate for the average 14 year old, but I would reccomend it to anybody mature enough for such a film.

 
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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
OFF: Not age appropriate for kids this age