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Homecoming

(2009, Rated NR, Thriller, Starring Mischa Barton, Jessica Stroup, Matt Long)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 14, age appropriate for kids over 18; suggested age 15.

  • Is it any good?

    1.0

  • Common Sense says

    Teen thriller/romance is gory but ho-hum. Skip it.

Themes in this movie include:   dating/crushes, revenge

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 15–18

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    Ultimately, the movie's message is a very predictable one: “Psychosis never pays.” But the film sure takes its time to say it, lingering over violent behavior from the obsessive ex-girlfriend. At one point, her ex gives in to her seduction, even though she's so creepily straightforward about her continued interest in him. There’s also some materialistic emphasis on the clothes Elizabeth wears.

  • Role models :

    Though you can conceivably cheer for the feisty Elizabeth, who refuses to give into her nemesis, she’s still a damsel in distress. In the meantime, Shelby is a stereotypical jilted ex gone mad, and she seems willing to go to the mat to win back a man -- not exactly inspiring stuff.

  • Violence:

    Slightly cheesy but plentiful, with lots of gore. A man is shot up close; a woman bashes an injured woman’s leg to make her more helpless and stabs a man with an axe; a battered body is shown up close, blood oozing out. There's also a secondary storyline involving the murder of a mother.

  • Sex:

    A couple nearly has sex in a bathroom (tons of groping and kissing, but they stop short). A woman parades around in her underwear and tries to seduce another woman’s boyfriend. A character views scenes of kissing on videotape. One character talks about women as sex objects.

  • Language:

    Everything from “damn” to "f--k" (though fairly sparingly).

  • Consumerism:

    Frequent shots of the iPhone, as well as car and liquor logos.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Lots of drinking at bars and social gatherings by college kids who are underage freshmen. They do shots and drink beer.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Homecoming

Parents need to know that teens may want to see this predictable (though frequently gory) thriller because it stars TV faves Mischa Barton and Jessica Stroup, but it's really not worth their time. Neither female character is a worthwhile role model, and the movie is full of underage drinking, swearing, sexual overtones (and scenes of groping/making out), and heaps of violence -- with many lingering shots on the carnage.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about how the movie portrays teen relationships. Is it at all realistic? Do high school relationships sometimes feel more serious than they actually are? Why?
  • How does the violence in this movie compare to other thrillers and horror movies? Does it succeed at blending the genres of teen romance and gory thriller?
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Our Members Say

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Kid Reviewer Age 10
    chicjessi
    I rate this title on for age 10 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use

    • My highlights are:
    • Good role models

    Such a Scary Movie My Book Review- First, this boy named Mike who is going out with this girl name Elizabeth. This girl named Shelby meets him and realizes that Mike was her long lost ex-boyfriend. Since Shelby, saw that he was with another girl,she got furious. One night Elizabeth was walking home, Shelby who was driving her car sees Mike's girlfriend. On purpose Shleby hits her. Shelby gets out of the car and takes her home with her. She supports her and gives her all the caring she needs. The only reason she's doing this is because to get Mike back and to get closer to him while Elizabeth is at Shelby's house. Elizabeth tries really hard to get out of the house,but Shelby always catches her. Then, Mike is always sending and trying to call Elizabeth, but sees that she doesnt answer or anything. What Mike doesnt know is that Shelby is trying to kill Elizabeth. At the end of the movie,Shelby is going to church. Mike's friend whos a police man stops by at Shelby's house. Elizabeth is tied and taped in Shelby's basement. While Shelby and Mike's friend talks,Elizabeth who is very smart, pulls the lever which closes the radio. Mike's friend who is very caring insists to go down the basement to turn it back on. When, he goes to the basement he sees Elizabeth tied up and tries to rescue her. But,he's too late. Shelby who has a gun,shoots Mike's friend. Mike goes into Shelby's house and Shelby's say hello and says that she has to go get something. Then, Mike hears a sound. He runs down to the basement and sees Elizabeth tied up. Mike and Elizabeth together work to kill Shelby.. They do, but when they leave, Shelby is on the floor with her eyes opened... Scary.......

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate

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