Jennifer's Body (R, 2009)

common sense media says

Glossy teen horror-comedy is full of gore and sex.


parents & educators say
  • 73% say sexual content is an issue
  • 67% say violence is an issue

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that while teens will be clamoring to see this darkly funny horror movie -- which stars Transformers' Megan Fox and was written by Juno's Diablo Cody -- it's full of gory demonic violence, sex (including partial nudity, same-sex kissing, and a pervasive tone of sex as a game, a competition, and even a prelude to murder), constant strong language (from "f--k" to "s--t" and more), teen drinking, and more. Teens who watch expecting an offbeat screwball comedy like Juno will be in for a huge shock. Parents also need to know that this review is for the rated version of the film.

Positive messages: Considering that one character becomes a demonic killing machine and another goes on a killing rampage to avenge her, it's hard to find any positive messages here.
Positive role models: With its cast of murderous rock stars, sex-machine killing demons, and vengeful girl warriors, there are no truly positive role models in the film (though an argument could be made for the movie promoting a form of "girl power").
Violence: Gory violence: A young woman is stabbed to death as part of a satanic ritual; several people are devoured in bloody fashion by a demon that has possessed a young woman, with shredding of flesh, blood, etc. A fire at a bar kills several people; also stabbings, punches, kicks, and self-mutilation. Dead bodies are seen in crime-scene footage.
Sex: Lots of sex. Teens have consensual, safe sex; male and female nudity, reference to condom use. Nude female buttocks. Two young women make out in an extended scene. Plenty of naughty talk about sex and virginity -- "I'm not even a backdoor virgin," for example, and much more. Talk of flashing breasts to get served alcohol.
Language: Constant strong language, including (but in no way limited to) "f--k," "motherf--ker," "s--t," "hell," "ass," "t-ts," "damn," "dick," "dillhole," "goddamn," "retarded," "porking," and much, much more.
Consumerism: Many products/brands are mentioned by name -- including (but not limited to) Vagisil, Monastat, MySpace, Chevy, The Cheesecake Factory, and many more -- but more as a way to make the dialogue sound cool/up-to-date than in a particularly promotional/salesy manner.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Teens drink hard liquor and beer, sometimes to excess; characters smoke cigarettes; references to peyote; cocaine use is implied in photographs.

More on Jennifer's Body

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
  • Families can talk about the film's mingling of sex and violence/death -- why do so many horror films make this link? Does the film use Fox's pin-up girl image for dramatic effect?
  • What is the movie saying about sexual competetiveness between girls? Why do these issues get fought out in this way? What motivates girls to fight, and fight the way they do, in close friendships?
  • Why do you think so many horror films take place in or around high school? What does that say about being a teenager?

What's the story?

What's the story?
In a small town, Jennifer (Megan Fox) and "Needy" (Amanda Seyfried) are unlikely best friends. Then Jennifer is murdered in a Satanic ritual by a rock band whose members hope that sacrificing her will give them the big break they need. But a flaw in the ceremony -- turns out, when the instructions say "sacrifice a virgin," you can't get away with any substitutions -- means that Jennifer is now posessed by a hungry demonic spirit bent on murder. Can Needy stop her best friend's killing rampage?

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

Directed by Karyn Kusama, JENNIFER'S BODY is a sexed-up, glossy take on the traditional high school horror film, with plenty of Diablo Cody's zingy (some would say overly zingy) dialogue to add pep to the proceedings -- plus the presence of pin-up sex symbol Fox as the titular slayer. The movie works as a guilty pleasure thanks to its general air of grisly goofiness. And Seyfried's performance anchors the film in just enough emotional reality to make the film's plot matter.

Kusama's direction may take a backseat to Cody's script, Fox's performance, and the grisly special effects, but the end result is a fun if frightening night out for older teens and 20-somethings. Anyone else will be too removed from high school (or too overwhelmed by the pace and pitch of Cody's dialogue)  to be very moved by the stakes and action. Cody's follow-up to Juno won't be another Oscar nominee, but it earns a gory glory all its own. 

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: Twentieth Century Fox
Director: Karyn Kusama
Cast: Amanda Seyfried, J.K. Simmons, Megan Fox
Genre: Horror
Run time: 102 minutes
Theatrical release: September 18, 2009
DVD release: December 29, 2009
MPAA Rating: R
MPAA explanation: sexuality, bloody violence, language and brief drug use
Watch our review

This review was written by James Rocchi
 
 

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What parents & educators say

15
Based on 15 parent & educator reviews:
  • 73% say sexual content is an issue
  • 67% say violence is an issue
  • 60% say language is an issue
  • 40% say there's too much drinking, drugs, or smoking

Most useful reviews by all members

scaregirl<33
kid, 12 years old
 
Not a life changer, a bit cheesy but overall OK
I'm 12 and I watched this at a sleepover last night. I never once got scared an its a pretty cheesy unrealistic movie. It doesn't really have an R rating, on the package it says 14A. It kinda just exploits the "Sexy girl turned physco" theme. Watch it to pass time, its not a definate skip. Theres a bit of sexual content and a one paticularly long (5 minutes) scene where a boyfriend and girlfriend have sex. Watch around halloween, not a life changing movie, and parents be careful of the sexual content and mild violence

thecooldude1
teen, 16 years old
 
For 14 and up
It was a Ok movie nothing to brag about but its does have some sexual content and violence and language and i dont recommend any kid 13 and under to watch it.

GirlyKarateKid ...
teen, 14 years old
 
LEAVE IT ALONE until at least age 15
I have only seen the trailer to this movie, and Panic! at the Disco's "New Perspective" music video, which is a song from the movie. It's horrible! A LOT of sexual references, A LOT of violence and gore, and language. Sorry to say, but this was 2 thumbs waayyy down...

BigK75
adult
 
watch if you feel like wasting your money on a crappy terror porn flick
This movie is absolutely terrible. Save your money. Also it's not for kids for obvious reasons. Don't waste your time or money.

Sanjay407
kid, 13 years old
 
Read
Rated R: Gory Violence, Sexuality, Strong Language, and Drug Use

tarmale
parent of 13 year old
 
I hated this movie!
What an awful movie. I mean, it was just a mess. Lots of blood and inappropriate sexual scenes, including two girls. Story made no sense and it just didn't seem to flow right. Definitely not for kids-maybe 17/18 year olds. Don't waste your time or money.

PNicole
teen, 15 years old
 
More Violent Than Saw!
This movie is good. Its very violent, but if you have seen the movie saw, you'd be just fine. She goes around eating people though. ugh

bananalover
teen, 16 years old
 
AHHHHHHH! SCARY MOVIE!!!!
this movie is so scary

 
horror with a lil demention
i loved it, its funny, twisted, with a lil demention. All in all it isnt really a good movie for a younger audience but it has a great story and is really original. Its basically a young girl and her best friend go to a bar (underage) and meet these guys in a band looking for a virgin to sacrifice, what they dont know is that Jennifer ( megan fox) is not a virgin therefor her body is inhabited by a flesh eating demon. Great for anyone who likes horror and also comedy.

littlemonster98
teen, 13 years old
 
SHOULD BE PG-13!
Violent and sexual but not over the top!

mi353
kid, 11 years old
 
For young teens but not for tweens
I actually I found the violence very how do I put this? I guess cheesy I mean there is strong sexual themes and actions but it isn't that bad. Well the point is I liked it.

cody25
teen, 17 years old
 
i saw the previews and am going to see it with my fried

Rikki Garrison
kid, 11 years old
 
My thoughts
im 11 and i loved it but i think MOST 11 year olds cant handle it but when i was born till now ive lived on horror and adult comedy so im used to it this wasnt scary but very funny had one of my favorite actresses in it she played "Needy" i loved it

Plague
parent
 
Jennifer's Body
This movie had its moments, but I think they went a little to far by making teens look like drunk crackheads that only care about sex. Maybe some teens these dyas are like that, but not all of them. Its just very inaccurate if you ask me. Other than the sex scenes everything else was pretty ok, especially the satanic killings

 
Lame.
This movie sucked. I was forced to watch it and wanted to throw up the whole time. Megan Fox may be pretty, but her acting is HORRIBLE. Don't waste your time/money on this awful stench of a movie.

slasher23
teen, 16 years old
 
very violent and gory.graphic sexual content.strong language.

TeamEdwardTwi- ...
kid, 12 years old
 
Not ok 4 kids, but no bad 4 me & my friends! =)
My friends and i saw it. I kno its rated R, but it wasn't really SCARY, it was gross in the parts where she puked the black stuff and when she was eating people. Its ok 4 kids 15+, because of the scenes aren't really supposed to be watched by 10 year olds but it wasn't like we didn't comprehend it, it just wasn't suitable for A LOT of tweens and kids. But also a good horror movie. =)

Pit bull loverr
kid, 12 years old
 
Worst
I like this this movie but umm... the sex parts are very umm..... bad....i only saw like 50 out of 100. or something like that.

 
Very gorey
Megan Fox is a s--t. And theis movie put a spotlight on it

Movieadviceguru
parent of and 10 , 13 , 14 , 17 , 19 year old
 
Older teens and adults only
I was surprised by how much I liked this movie. It was entertaining and unique. It was a good horror movie overall. It is, of course, full of sex and gore though. A lot of the time though, when she's eating boys, you don't watch it, you watch their shadows from the opposite side of the curtain or door. But you witness her throw up gross looking black gunk, you see the fire, and people on fire, you see a boy ripped open with his guts all over for a few moments, and you see blood on her, and around her after she's commited the deed. It's a little disturbing, but not scary. The sex parts are much worse, and most likely why it's rated R. You see a large portion of Megan Fox's boobs when she unzippes her jacket (To suduce another unknowing victim). You see plenty of kissing and making out. There is talk about condoms. You see a teenage boy and teenage girl in bed together, naked. (You don't see any cleavge on the girl, and you see the bare back of the boy.) She tells him to "put it in" and you see him moving rythmically on top of her, and a squeaking sound that you suspect is the condom they discussed. This scene was longer than it sound have been, it lasts for about 5-10 minutes. But the girl starts seeing blood and disturbing images on the walls and ceilings and begins to freak out. The boy asks if he's too big, she runs away. There is plenty of talk about sex and innuendos, and plenty of blood. It was actually a good movie, all things considered. But no kids should see this! Hard core horror fans will be disappointed, adults may enjoy if they're into this kind of movie. No kids, of any age, should see this movie. It's very innapropriate. Language is also a big issue. Teen drinking is shown as well. There is plenty of talk about virginity. Know your teen. Older teens and adults only.

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