 | 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. |
Panic Room
- Review Date: May 18, 2003
- R
- Genre: Thriller
- 2002
Common Sense Media says
Extreme suspense, graphic violence; not for kids.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this movie has extreme suspense and some graphic violence. A child is in peril. Characters use strong language.
What's the story?
This thriller, in the claustrophobic mode of Rear Window, finds Meg (Jodie Foster), a recent divorcee, and her combative daughter Sarah (Kristen Stewart), trapped in the secret vault/bomb shelter/safe room set up by their apartment's previous owner, a paranoid millionaire with a squabbling family. The least favorite cousin, Junior (Jared Leto), has broken into the apartment with the help of security expert Burnham (Forest Whitaker) and tag-along psycho Raoul (Dwight Yoakam). The bad guys want in to the vault, where the old millionaire hid his millions. The girls just want to get out, but the protected phone line inside the room hasn't been activated yet (they just moved in). Meg's inner mama tiger takes over escalates as the burglars take more and more drastic steps to try and enter the impregnable vault, and Sarah moves from being a tough, sullen teen to a tough, sullen, wily teen.
Is it any good?
PANIC ROOM is not a movie about insight into the human condition or subtle, complex characters. This is just a movie about scaring the heck out of you, and it does that very expertly. On the outside, Forest Whitaker gets to play the good bad guy, while Mr. Leto and Mr. Yoakam act progressively more evil.
For a story which should have been a claustrophobic battle of wits, too often it's simply a battle of violence, although there are some riveting action sequences. And while the family dynamics are underdeveloped, the film does show how divorced parents and their children can remain a family even after separation.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about what the characters do to escalate the level of violence, and how acting from emotions as opposed to reason can aggravate problems, no matter how satisfying it may seem at the time. Divorced families will be especially interested in Sarah's father, who has in no way abandoned his daughter.
- Show:
- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
AGE
I loved it :)
I really loved this movie! The number one thing that i liked about it was the fact that it wasn't too scary. Some of my friedns really dont like scary movies and they were fine with this one. But having said that it was very violent! It was actaully really gross, some violence included: two people being shot in the head, someone brutally beaten, a man atacking a women, and a child repeatedly stabing a man with a handfull of needles. Another issue was also the language, the robbers spent most of thier time swearing , mostly the use of the F word .
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
this is probably my favorite thriller ever it keeps you on the edge of you're seat till the end i watched this movie about 6 times in a row after i first saw it yea its that good Jodie foster is great in this movie. there's strong language throughout and some violence and there's a guy who crawls down the stairs very creepy like. but id say let you're older kids watch it if there mature. PS the only reason i put good role models is because forest Whitaker is nicer then all the other robbers:]
Was this review useful?
|
|
Kid, 12 years old
November 27, 2010
AGE
On For MATURE 11 year olds
I just saw this movie because a relative said it was a very good movie... she was right. This movie is very good! The plot is excellent, The Casting is very good, and it's not too gory...But... The Language is Pervasive! The F word is said about once every minute. However a mature 11 year old could watch it because they know the brief gore is fake and they know not to repeat the curse words.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
teens or older.
omg i saw this on tv last night, great movie. i hate action, but i was bouncing up and down in suspense. I LOVED IT
yall, it wasnt scary, just blood on a old guys face, and him being beaten. i almost peed my pants
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
Ok...
I really like the movie in all. But they just ruin the movie when they put in bad words!
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
Violent thriller is not for the faint of heart
"Panic Room" only plays in one house, and - as the title suggests - mostly in one room.
The movie has a suspense and dark athmosphere, and you really feel like you would be trapped in that panic room.
The movie really gets you at the edge of your seat and that is exactly what a thriller is supposed to do.
There is very strong language throughout - be warned - but most teenagers use stronger language when their aren't around.
There is violence - a man gets shot in the head. It is extremely bloody but brief. Another man is covered in blood throughout the whole movie. And the movie is most of all one thing: Suspense, extreme suspense and not for the faint of heart.
But teenagers 14 and up should handle it.
NOTE: People say things like "this ain't scary". Of course it ain't, it's not a horror movie.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
One of the best Thriller's ever.
This movie will have your heart beating very hard. It is extremely suspensful, and honestly, one of the best thriller's I've ever seen. Jodie Foster does fantastic in her role, and the antagonist is extremely revulsive.
The biggest issue in this movie is the language. There is a LOT of f*ck's, and a few of most every other word. But f*ck is definitely the word used the most. I haven't counted, but I know it was over 30.
The violence isn't like an action movie, but it's more realistic, and there is blood.
But seriously, this is a fantastic movie. If your kid is 15 or older, then it's ok, just make sure they're ok with a LOT of cursing.
This is definitely a must see movie. One of my favourites.
Was this review useful?
|
|
Kid, 12 years old
January 5, 2010
AGE
This movie isn't scary, but not appropriate for 11-
I'm a 10 year old girl, I went to my 11 year old friends house for a sleepover and wanted to watch a horror, her mum gave us Panic Room to watch, at first I was paranoid about the rating (R 18+) but I sat down and watched, best movie ever, next to Twilight of course! It wasn't scary, a little gory, but not scary, I loved it, it had me cracking up!
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
Just say no
Panic Room is one of those movies that you look back and say,"Man I wish I wouldn't have watched that". This movie has about the worst cussing ever. And is not even worth seeing.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
AWESOME!!!!!!!
I absolutly loved this movie it was one of the best movies I have VER seen!! I loved the suspense and action. Jodie Foster and Kristen Stewart wrer great in it :-D Great movie! May not be suitible 4 younger viewers, but a great movie
Was this review useful?
|
|
| Studio: | Artisan Entertainment |
| Director: | David Fincher |
| Cast: | Forest Whitaker, Jodie Foster, Kristen Stewart |
| Genre: | Thriller |
| Run time: | 112 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | March 29, 2002 |
| DVD release date: | September 17, 2002 |
| MPAA rating: | R |
| MPAA explanation: | violence and language |
Review It
Great alternatives handpicked by our editors
Already seen it? What do you think?
More from Common Sense Media
Top advice and articles
