 | 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. |
My Soul to Take
- Review Date: October 7, 2010
- R
- Genre: Horror
- 2010
Common Sense Media says
Lots of bloody slashing in Wes Craven's violent chiller.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this supernatural slasher about a serial killer who may have returned from the dead is full of slicing and dicing, with gallons of blood on display. There are also two instances in which adults hit teens. Language is quite strong, with many uses of "f--k" and "s--t." There are some sexual situations, including one involving teen pregnancy, but not much is shown onscreen. Most of the lead characters are 16, and the movie is being presented in 3-D (which, of course, makes everything that much more intense), so it's primed for teen consumption.
What's the story?
In the small town of Riverton, a killer ("The Riverton Ripper") went on a rampage and slashed up several victims with a hunting knife. The very moment he died in an ambulance crash, seven children were simultaneously born in a nearby hospital. Sixteen years later, on the anniversary of that day, the teens still talk about the killer -- and about the possibility that he might return from the dead to kill again. Lo and behold, more killings begin, and this time, the seven teens appear to be the targets (as well as anyone else who gets in the way). A teen nicknamed "Bug" (Max Thieriot), who seems to be at the center of everything, begins hearing the voices and seeing images all of the souls around him. When he learns a terrible secret about his childhood, he discovers that he's a lot closer to the killings than he ever expected.
Is it any good?
Wes Craven wrote and directed MY SOUL TO TAKE, and he proves that although he might not be the most gifted scribe in the world, he's still a highly skilled director with a unique visual style and an aptitude for planting potential scares everywhere you look. His story of a possibly supernatural serial killer doesn't always make sense; sometimes the souls of living people speak through the teen hero, Bug, as opposed to dead ones. And the connection between souls and killings is never quite clear.
But the silly story can be forgiven. Almost no other living director can instill such a sense of gleeful dread in the autumn woods ... or in an ordinary house. Every wall, corner, and doorway is a potential hiding place and a potential source of danger. Craven's timing and use of three-dimensional space is practically unequalled. Better still, his sheer pleasure comes through in every frame; this is a man who loves filmmaking, rather than simply cranking out another teen horror fest.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the movie's violence. How did it affect you? How does its impact compare to that in other horror movies you've seen?
Is the movie scary? What makes it a horror movie? Does it have supernatural elements, or is it more about the suspense?
How does Bug grow and change over the course of the film? Does he learn to become a grown-up during his ordeal? Does he learn to take on responsibility?
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AGE
Not the best, but still good. Pretty comical. But very violent. But that's Wes Craven for you. :)
My MPAA Rating, R: Explicit strong bloody violence, pervasive language, and sexual situations
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AGE
Worst movie of the Fall
very dumb "Nightmare on Elm Street" type movie but even worse, terrible cast and laughable script
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AGE
You choose.
it was really good,My 12 year old sister watched it (not my idea) and she was fine after.
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AGE
ok for 12+
its about teens that are trying too escape from a serial killer,I can't believe it wes craven actually play in it,it's a good slasher,ok for 12+
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AGE
Wes Craven creates another ultra-violent horror movie
Although not as good as Craven's previous thrillers, this ultra-bloody thriller holds its own. The cast is decent, but nothing Oscar-worthy. The story seems new, but it treads on old ground. The movie was well-made, but it would have been a lot better with more back story. Parents: This movie has plenty of bloody gore and enough tension and disturbing situations (including a father butchering his family) to give your kids nightmares. Please use caution, even with horror-obssessed teens. Bottom Line: With frequent suspense, comic relief, decent acting, and lots of blood, this new-age horror movie is sure to keep your attention for a good 105 min. But, don't expect a new horror classic. I believe we still have a little more waiting to do for that. Thanks for reading! - Movie Man
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AGE
Excellent film for Craven's return.
My Soul To Take is an excellent supernatural/chiller horror film. Just like most of Craven's work, it will keep you guessing till the end. The violence is not as bad as most of Craven's work, you don't see the killer actually stabbing/slashing the person. You see the aftermath. Like a girl gets a tree branch stabbed through her neck (or that's what it seems) but you don't actually see the tree branch, you see the gallons of blood on display afterwards. This is an excellent film for Craven's return into the film business. There is some talk of sex, but is never shown. There is constant cursing, multiple uses of f**k, s**t, d**k, and plenty more. This is still a good movie to start off with kids that are finding an interest in horror movies.My Suggested MPAA Rating, R: Bloody horror violence, disturbing images, pervasive language, and some sexual material.
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Kid, 12 years old
August 28, 2011
AGE
Really inappropeote.
I liked the movie but it was very bloody and violent. A lot of language. Not for anybody under 18.
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AGE
Awesome movie but I wouldn't let my little brother watch it.Very bloody and heavy use of F Bombs but other than that it was pretty good.
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| Studios: | Rogue Pictures, Universal Pictures |
| Director: | Wes Craven |
| Cast: | Emily Meade, John Magaro, Max Thieriot |
| Genre: | Horror |
| Run time: | 107 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | October 8, 2010 |
| DVD release date: | February 8, 2011 |
| MPAA rating: | R |
| MPAA explanation: | strong bloody violence, and pervasive language including sexual references |
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