 | 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. |
A Nightmare on Elm Street
- Review Date: April 29, 2010
- R
- Genre: Horror
- 2010
Common Sense Media says
Teens sliced and slayed in grisly slasher remake.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that A Nightmare on Elm Street -- a "reboot" of the classic 1984 slasher film, and the ninth film about "Freddie Krueger," a serial killer who attacks teens in their dreams -- contains all the expected gore (throat-slashing, burning bodies, car
crashes,
eye-stabbing) and nightmare imagery (like a girl sinking into a pool of
blood), with a slightly darker tone than the original. In this version, Oscar-nominated actor Jackie Earle Haley plays Freddie as a more twisted, tragic figure -- a suggested child molester (though nothing is seen or even overtly discussed) -- who is taking his revenge against the people who destroyed him. The movie contains strong language (including "f--k" and "bitch") and some mild hints of teen sexuality, as well as some references to drugs (for staying awake).
What's the story?
On Elm Street, a teen tries to stay awake, apparently afraid of a scary man with knives for fingers who threatens to kill him in his dreams. He eventually succumbs and dies, leading the rest of his friends to fear for their lives. After more grisly deaths, Nancy (Rooney Mara) and Quentin (Kyle Gallner), try to stay awake long enough to find out who Freddie (Jackie Earle Haley) is and what he wants. Their search leads to a terrifying truth, and a mysterious past incident involving all their parents. But even armed with this knowledge, can they still defeat Freddie before their exhaustion catches up with them?
Is it any good?
The idea behind this horror series is still extremely effective. It brings terror to the one place where we should be safe: sleep. This new reboot follows the same structure and uses some of the same scary imagery from Wes Craven's 1984 classic original. It's competently made, and the characters and dialogue feel authentic enough. The digital special effects are more modern, in a way that will appeal to today's teen viewers.
The new movie differs mainly in the character of Freddie. As portrayed by Oscar-nominated Haley, he's less funny and more twisted and tormented, especially in his flashback "origin" sequences. But the suggestion of child molestation brings the movie right out of the "fun" realm; it's far more disturbing than entertaining. Though one saving grace is that the teens in this movie are generally good kids -- not the sex-obsessed or mean teens that often find their way into horror films.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the film's extreme gore and violence. Was it scary? How else did it affect you? What makes horror movies so popular (and profitable)?
What is the impact
of seeing so many gruesome images in horror movies like these? Teens: Do you think you'd
feel less empathy for someone getting hurt if you saw too many movies
like this one?Why is Freddie scary? What makes him different from other "slashers" like Jason or
Michael Myers? Do you
think movies like these condone real
violence?
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- Parents
- Teens & kids
Kid, 11 years old
December 20, 2010
AGE
good movie
it did not point that freddy was a child molester he was an abuser!
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AGE
Another horror remake being remade by Michael Bay. But this was his first good one!
After Michael Bay remade Friday The 13th and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre I was very angry because of how bad it was. But this remake was fantastic and well made. The new makeup was very creppy and well done. The death scenes were great. Katie Cassidy and Jackie Earle Haley's acting was over the top good. But this film is for older teens. The language was strong and the blood and gore was strong also. People get slashed, stabbed, gutted and thrown around in dreams. There are many scenes of blood pouring and spitting, Cursing, Jump scares and graphic violence. But the teens don't ever drink beer or do drugs and there not teens who want to have sex and have it in horror films we see these days. ANOES 2010 gets five out of five stars.
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AGE
My take on the movie
I really enjoyed the movie, it was great! I would let your kid watch it if you trust them. Violence was pretty bad but thats standered for a horror movie. Language is up there also. Freddy was known to do 'innapropriot' things to young children, but its never specified.
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Kid, 12 years old
May 27, 2011
AGE
friggon stuptid
stuptid gorey violent sleep throug it!
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AGE
Gorey,...
Such an awesome movie, I've seen it before, and, it kinda creeped me out, but, its still amazing.
I wouldn't put it as an 18, cause, a 14 year old can bare with it...
It is pretty gorey though, so I wouldn't think a 12 year old would watch it... But, it depends if you like that sorta stuff
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AGE
Average horror movie
Good movie, but not as good as the original series. I hate Freddy's new look, but I like how his past is explored more.
Now, about your comments at the end. What do you think of teenagers anyhow?
Oh yeah, average teens would feel less empathy for people who feel pain. Really?
Why would a teen think that a movie about a serial killer killing innocent people condones violence? No non-sadist would think that. That isn't the message of the movie either obviously and no one would confuse it as one. It's obvious to the viewers that child molestation and killing is wrong. Could anyone really consider Freddy the protagonist? No!
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AGE
mature teens only because of scary content
This movie is in the horror genre and meant to make you afraid of sleeping. This movie is about a man named freddy who worked at a pre school who would take students to the basement and hurt them and/or have a sexual relationship with them so basically the vibe is he was a bit of a pedophile. Anyway then the parents got really sick of it and chased him into and abandoned building one night. They set it on fire while he was in it. He then ran out screaming on fire and said he would get there children when there most vulnerable in there dreams. And then later on in these teens life they are getting murdered in there sleep. its has a bit of a rubbish storyline but overall was an OK movie. Freddy kills in gory ways with knifes attached to his fingers.
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AGE
perfect for MATURE teens and ADULTS
well i have 13 and i watch with my 12 years friends,i dont think the most of parents will let kids watch the movie,is more violent than the older one and freddy is not a childs murdrer is a child molester(implied me and my friends understand but other kids may will not(i am not saying to kids watch this)) the violence is almost every time gore and blood and the profanitie is very f-worlds and b- s- words. in some scenes have sexual joke involving freddy like. "nancy you are prettier than before" and a "f**k you" and freddyv lick his mouth implied oral sex joke. some drugs to make teens awake
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AGE
Great horror movie for older teens
I thought this was a great re make, I loved how the teenagers where likable and where not sex crazes or alcoholics and I also liked how it portrayed them in their lives more than just freddy killing them I thought there was pretty good character development. but the parents where very cruel which made this upsetting. okay now lets get to the violence. Yes the violence was pretty heavy but it only happens a few times. the only death that actually looked realistic was the 2nd one. the others where pretty violent too but seemed almost too over the top. but overall great movie for older teens.
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Kid, 12 years old
May 3, 2011
AGE
YUCK!!!!
this is stupidity.
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| Studio: | Warner Bros. |
| Director: | Samuel Bayer |
| Cast: | Jackie Earle Haley, Kyle Gallner, Rooney Mara |
| Genre: | Horror |
| Run time: | 95 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | April 30, 2010 |
| DVD release date: | October 5, 2010 |
| MPAA rating: | R |
| MPAA explanation: | strong bloody horror violence, disturbing images, terror and language |
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