Peep World

  • Review Date: March 27, 2011
  • R
  • Genre: Comedy
  • 2011
Review

Common Sense Media says

Flawed family comedy has plenty of conflict, little point.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

Find out more

Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

Find out more

Parents say

Not yet rated

Kids say

Not yet rated

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this flawed indie comedy exposes all of the petty arguments within a deeply dysfunctional family. There’s plenty of swearing (including "f--k," "s--t," and more), and lots of intense, uncomfortable arguments. Some of the characters drink, and several others make it clear that they really need a drink or three. There’s one sex sequence (though no nudity), a few sexual references, and a scene that takes place an adult film store, with plenty of sexual devices glimpsed in the background. Most of the characters are petty and one-dimensional, and there are no worthwhile take-aways in the end.

  • Positive messages0
    Family members don’t always have your back, and, when angered, they know the most vulnerable places to stick the knife. One character has become a big success thanks to his novel about a dysfunctional family; his parents and siblings are upset because it's almost all true -- and it's all about them.
  • Positive role models0
    Though they're deeply flawed, some of the characters do at least try to be honest and do the right thing -- for example, a son who stands up to his father and another son who decides to take responsibility for his own poor choices. That said, most of the other characters are more one-dimensional, petty, and irritating. Instead of supporting each other, they throw low blows. And the patriarch of the family revels in displaying his contempt for his children.
  • Violence2
    Several heated arguments, often including extremely cutting words used as precision weapons. Two thugs threaten a man as they try to collect a significant debt.
  • Sex3
    One sex scene (no nudity) and a few sexual references and gestures. A character visits an adult film store, the titular Peep World, where a variety of sexual devices appear in the background. Another character consults a doctor to be treated for premature ejaculation -- the doctor uses a lifelike penis model to discuss the treatment. The character spends much of the film suffering from an erection that won't subside and is quite uncomfortable.
  • Language5
    Strong, frequent swearing throughout, including “f--k,” “s--t,” “d--k,” “bitch,” and much more.
  • Consumerism0
    A battered Cadillac plays a minor role in the film.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking2
    Some drinking by adults at a tense dinner party.
CloseExpand to see more details

What's the story?

It’s his father’s 70th birthday, and Nate Meyerwitz (Ben Schwartz) has just written a successful novel that trades on the quirks and struggles of his real-life siblings: ultra-responsible Jack (Michael C. Hall), tightly wound and perpetually wounded Cheri (Sarah Silverman), and always-struggling Joel (Rainn Wilson). All of them are flawed in their own idiosyncratic ways, and all of them have serious issues with their domineering father, Henry (Ron Rifkin). It’s certainly a recipe for a contentious family dinner.

Is it any good?

 

PEEP SHOW is a good example of how a great storytelling device sometimes just isn’t enough. The novel at the center of the plot is meant to be a time bomb, yet when that bomb explodes (metaphorically speaking) we don’t really feel it. The movie is inert nearly the entire way through, despite a cast stocked with both talented and wickedly funny (or both) actors -- including the Emmy Award-winning Hall, the always funny Wilson, and the bombastic Silverman.

Even Henry’s birthday dinner feels curiously unexciting, even though it’s meant to be where everything comes to a head. It just goes to show: Despite the technology and hyper-awareness about the art and business of film, movie-making still involves alchemy. When it works, it’s genius. When it doesn’t, it’s Peep Show.

Sign Up Message
Sign up for our weekly newsletter
Each week we send a customized newsletter to our parent and teen subscribers. Parents can customize their settings to receive recommendations and parent tips based on their kids’ ages. Teens receive a version just for them with the latest reviews and top picks for movies, video games, apps, music, books, and more.
Please enter an email address.
Please check your email address for possible typos.
Sorry, you must be 13 or older to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.
Sign me up!

What families can talk about

  • Families can talk about how the movie portrays the main family. Why is everyone so angry? Do you think this seems like a realistic family conflict? How does your family handle disagreements?

  • How does the movie depict parents? Is Henry a good father? Would you consider anyone in the movie a positive role model?

  • Who do you think this movie is intended to appeal to? How can you tell?

This review was written by S. Jhoanna Robledo
Teen, 16 years old
March 29, 2011
AGE
17
 
peep world
????? Enough said.
Was this review useful?
Helped me decide (16) | Had useful details (16) | Read my mind (18)
Flag as inappropriate 
See all user reviews
This review was written by S. Jhoanna Robledo
Studio:IFC Entertainment
Director:Barry Blaustein
Cast:Michael C. Hall, Rainn Wilson, Sarah Silverman
Genre:Comedy
Run time:89 minutes
Theatrical release date:March 25, 2011
DVD release date:July 19, 2011
MPAA rating:R
MPAA explanation:language and sexual content
This review was written by S. Jhoanna Robledo
 

Review It

Share your review with others

Hang on! You need to be a member to post your review.
A safe community is important to us. Please observe our guidelines.
About our rating system
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.
Learning ratings
BEST: Really engaging, great learning approach.
GOOD: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
FAIR: Somewhat engaging, OK learning approach.
NOT FOR LEARNING: Not recommended for learning.
Our child development rating guidelines

Great alternatives handpicked by our editors

Other films about offbeat families
For kids who love quirky characters
Browse more movies
 

vote now

Will you see Peep World?

Won't miss it
On the fence
No way

Already seen it? What do you think?

I recommend it
It's a pass
 
More from Common Sense Media
Age-appropriate reviews
Top advice and articles

Been There? Tell us about it