Interview with the Vampire

  • Review Date: November 9, 2005
  • R
  • Genre: Horror
  • 1994
 Review

Common Sense Media says

Entertaining but gruesomely gory vampire tale.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

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Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

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Parents say

Kids say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this is a violent, bloody movie about vampires. Death and murder are main themes and are depicted with a great deal of graphic violence and gore. Because the film is based on a bestselling fiction series and features popular actors Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt, and Kirsten Dunst, kids may be familiar with the movie and want to see it.

  • While some of the vampire characters feel guilty about killing others, more of them crave and love it.
  • The action is graphic and gory.
  • Female nudity, references to prostitutes and incest, as well as strong sexual overtones.

What's the story?

Famously based on Anne Rice's vampire novels, INTERVIEW WITH THE VAMPIRE features a scenery-chewing Tom Cruise as gleeful, blood-thirsty villain Lestat. This vampire doesn't just kill humans, but also tortures other vampires via betrayal and mockery. Brad Pitt, as the more conflicted vampire Louis, is a quieter presence on screen. The pair has a vampire daughter, the perennial 11-year-old Claudia, played by actress Kirsten Dunst. Parents should know that Claudia kills humans with the ferocity and glee of Lestat, and her portrayal by an actress popular with tweens and teens increases the possibility that they'll want to see the film.


Is it any good?

 

Action-packed and frequently engaging, Interview with the Vampire is, at times, a thoughtful examination of the vampire myth so commonly portrayed in horror films. It examines the emotional and moral consequences of the notorious go-to villain, attempting to explain why living forever might be a bad thing while illustrating how killing isn't always a joy for the fictional character. However, at other times, the film uses the vampire myth only to feature horrific acts of bloody violence that aren't thought-provoking in the least. Parents should know that there is a violent murder every few minutes and that blood and gore appear on screen as often as the main characters do.

Interview with the Vampire is a smart, thoughtful film in many ways. Parents will be interested to know that it delves deeply into the consequences of characters' actions and the way they feel about harming others. Still, this interrogation of a common myth in horror cinema is accompanied by a whole lot of guts and grizzle. Viewer beware.


Explore, discuss, enjoy

Families can talk about how the various vampires react to killing others. Why does Louis feel guilty while Lestat does not? Which character do you most identify with? The depictions of slaves can give families an opportunity to talk about stereotypes of black characters in film. Why are the female slaves depicted as sexpots? How are their religious beliefs characterized?


This review of Interview with the Vampire was written by
Kid, 10 years old
April 7, 2011
 
great movie for mature kids
i watched this movie when i was about 5 and i loved it cause i dont get scared easy but other kids i think this would be a little to intense
What other families should know:

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Parent
January 15, 2010
 
Interview with the Vampire
Great vampire movie. One of Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt's best movies of all time. Very bloody, but thats what you want from a quality vampire film. Just remember kiddys, this ain't no sissy Twilight movie.

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Adult
August 15, 2009
 
Perfect Movie for an Older Audience
Very suspenseful horror movie/drama. There is LOTS of full nudity of females in the movie as well as gore and violence. 4.5 :)
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Teen, 14 years old
April 9, 2008
 
Very Interesting!!!
Interview with the Vampire, based on the proclaimed novel by Anne Rice, is NOT appropriate for most kids. For mature teenagers at least over 14. There are two scenes with completely nude women. Nothing is covered up, but they are not doing anything. There are a few mildly scary scenes, such as the slashing of a throat, which is bloody. There are also a few slashings of bodies. It can also be depressing,as it is very sad. But it is a worthwile movie to watch if you love vampires!

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Teen, 17 years old
October 29, 2009
 

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Parent of 17 year old
March 1, 2011
 
Read instead
This movie is just a waste of time. When I finished watching Interview I was frustrated that I had just wasted 2 hours I could have spent reading. Read the book instead if you must. It is engaging, though dark and depressing. Better yet, read The Book Thief. Read The Host by Stephenie Meyer. If you must watch a movie, watch The King's Speech. All of these are a better way to spend your time than watching the Interview movie.
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Teen, 14 years old
July 2, 2011
 
Good For All Ages
great movie! i saw this when I was 9! only a few full frontal views of women. Nothing they won't see in the locker room at the gym.
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Teen, 13 years old
January 22, 2010
 
Mature 11+

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Kid, 10 years old
August 2, 2009
 
Iffy for 9 and under
Lots and lots of nudity, saw it when i was 9, iffy.
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Teen, 14 years old
September 5, 2010
 
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This review of Interview with the Vampire was written by
Studio:Warner Bros.
Director:Neil Jordan
Cast:Antonio Banderas, Brad Pitt, Tom Cruise
Genre:Horror
Run time:123 minutes
Theatrical release date:November 11, 1994
DVD release date:June 6, 2000
MPAA rating:R
MPAA explanation:violence, gore, and nudity

This review of Interview with the Vampire was written by
 

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