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Obsessed

(2009, Rated PG-13, Thriller, Starring Ali Larter, Idris Elba, Beyonce Knowles)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 13, age appropriate for kids over 17; suggested age 14.
  • Is it any good?

    2.0
  • Common Sense says

    Fatal Attraction "lite" too risque for young teens.

Themes in this movie include:   gender issues

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 14–17

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    The film includes plenty of gender stereotyping. For instance, one man says that "single gals consider work their hunting grounds," implying that women are more interested in snagging a husband than succeeding profesionally. There's really no positive take-away to be found.
  • Role models :

    Poor role models include libidinous male executives who talk about their female coworkers' bodies and an office gossip who doesn't think twice about revealing personal information about his boss' life ... not to mention Lisa herself, who pursues Derek at all costs. On the plus side, Derek's character defies certain established Hollywood stereotypes by being an African-American executive who's loyal to his family.
  • Violence:

    Until the climactic fight scene (which is an all-out tussle with lots of pushing, hair grabbing, punching, and kicking), there's not much violence per se, but there's a lot of stalking and sexual harassment.
  • Sex:

    A married couple embraces and discusses "christening" their new house. Lisa flirts with Derek, showing some leg and bantering playfully. As she becomes obsessed, she aggressively throws herself at him, trying to unbuckle his pants and kiss him. On other occasions, she finds him and reveals that she's wearing nothing but lingerie, spikes his drink with a drug and climbs on top of him when he's nearly passed out, and enters his hotel room and gets naked under the covers (only her shoulders are visible) -- viewers see her kissing him, but the camera cuts away before it's clear what happens next. Derek's co-workers make several inappropriate references to Lisa (and his wife) about office "eye candy" and "piece of ass," etc.
  • Language:

    Language includes "s--t," "ass," "a--hole," "bitch," "oh my God," "goddamn," and the like.
  • Consumerism:

    Brands with prominent product placement include Mercedes Benz, Cadillac, Old Navy, and Bugaboo strollers, and Christian Louboutin's red-soled heels.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Adults drink, at times heavily, at an office Christmas party and various dinners. Lisa overdoses on prescription pills (appearing unconscious in bed) and also laces Derek's drink with an unknown drug.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Obsessed

Parents need to know that this Fatal Attraction-esque thriller is too edgy for young Beyonce fans. There's a lot of sexuality (lingerie scenes, aggressive pursuit, implied nudity), although no actual sex scenes. Except for the main male character, there are no positive role models; instead, there are many negative stereotypes -- especially about women in the workplace. For most of the movie, there's more harassment than violence, but a final showdown includes punching, kicking, and more. Language includes words like "s--t," "a--hole," and "bitch," and there are several scenes of adults drinking and getting drunk. One main character is unknowingly drugged, while another purposely overdoses on prescription drugs.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about the movie's messages about relationships and sexuality. Do you think it reinforces stereotypes or tries to undermine them?
  • What role does technology play in the plot? Do you know anyone who's been stalked in real life or online? What steps can people take to protect themselves from obsessive suitors?

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Our Members Say

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Kid Reviewer Age 12
    I rate this title on for age 12 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language

    • My highlights are:
    • Good role models

    This was a greatt movie. Not that much sexual stuff just a couple of seconds of kissing and touching.....

  2. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    I rate this title on for age 14 and give it 5.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages

    #1 fan

    nice move

  3. Teen Reviewer Age 17
    I rate this title on for age 11 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content

    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    best movie ever

    best movie ever

  4. Parent Reviewer
    I rate this title off for age 16 and give it 1.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • Excessive consumerism
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use
    • Negative message
    • Negative role models

  5. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    Lives in Massachusetts
    I rate this title iffy for age 12 and give it 2.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use

    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages

    Don't bother

    wow, this movie was horrible! this movie will give you high blood pressure because the people make stupid choices and tward the end of the movie it got more comic then serious. The best part of this movie was the last 10 mins where they tried to make it intense but it was just funny. The only highlight is is that the man being stocked is very true to his wife and wants the best for her, I mean who wouldn't its Beyonce!

  6. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    I rate this title on for age 12 and give it 3.0

    I don't wanna give a review title, hoe

    It's just about a insane chick who wants some guy who's married. If you've seen fatal attraction this will suck to you. But if not you may enjoy it.

  7. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    Lives in North Carolina
    I rate this title on for age 15 and give it 3.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content

    not inappropriate

    i think this movie is not violent until the end and at my age 13 i already know what they are talking about and hear it all the time so it is no big deal.

  8. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    Lives in Utah
    I rate this title iffy for age 13 and give it 2.0
    My concerns are:
    • Negative message

    You're obsession will be short.

    Obsessed is a failed attempt to be as good as Fatal Attraction. The movie has a sort of die hard feel to it only being that the die hard character is Ali Larter that does crazy stuff such as drugging and rape that is not shown, etc. and they also "kill" the movie at the end and you'll see why.

  9. Parent Reviewer
    Lives in California
    I rate this title on for age 12 and give it 5.0

    i say if it is appropriate for your age it is good it could really happen to someone and it is good (scary intence and a good movie).

  10. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in California
    I rate this title off for age 15 and give it 1.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use

  11. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    Lives in Minnesota
    I rate this title on for age 12 and give it 3.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Excessive consumerism
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use

  12. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in California
    I rate this title iffy for age 13 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • Negative message

    INTENSE, I LOVE CATFIGHTS (ESPECIALLY WITH BEYONCE AND ALIE LARTER)

    This movie was very slow moving the first half but moved incredibly quickly by the turning point. Seen mostly from a drunk perspective, the sexual scenes were very NON-explicit but very wordy like "Ohhhh" but thats as bad as it was. Tweens should watch this with an older sibling or parents should watch it first but if you let them watch the preview of the movie, you might as well watch the entire movie because the previews is as bad as it gets.

  13. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    Lives in Maine
    I rate this title on for age 14 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use
    • Negative message

    Obsessed movie review

    Great movie... Not as good as fatal attraction.. It really gets your brain and emotions going. I was kind of angry after seeing this,. But it was really good. Good job to all the actors/actresses.

  14. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Pennsylvania
    I rate this title on for age 15 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content

    Obsessed---I loved it

    Great movie--Beyonce has come a long, long way. Very sexy--so not for really young children (although they will want to see it for Beyonce).

  15. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Ohio
    I rate this title iffy for age 14 and give it 2.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • Excessive consumerism
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use
    • Negative message

  16. Teen Reviewer Age 17
    Lives in Virginia
    I rate this title on for age 17 and give it 5.0

    these movie is good go c it

    thisd movie waas so good i lyke the movie this is one of da fav of the newest moviez afa dont yu thnk this is a good movie if yu do rate this movie it have to be a good movie good good_____good o movie___________________________

  17. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    Lives in New York
    I rate this title iffy for age 10 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Negative message

    It was a pretty good movie.

    The movie Obsessed was a good movie. There are some things in the movie that I did not approve of. In the movie you always want to know what happens next. If you like Beyonce you should see it. Everyone in the movie theater was cheering for her.

  18. I rate this title iffy for age 14 and give it 2.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use
    • Negative message

    Beyonce deserves better

    Why doesnt the talented Beyonce pick a better vehicle? She's such a great role model and she has such chops. This is just a stupid movie with nothing to recommend it to the kids who love her. Do they really need to see obsessive and twisted love? Before they experience plain old love?

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