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Teen Witch (PG-13, 1989)

common sense media says

Tubular '80s teen fluff: silly, fun, and shallow.

parents & educators say
  • 67% say there are positive messages
  • 33% say sexual content is an issue
See all 3 reviews | Review it

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this movie is permeated with teen sexual energy. There's some making out, some sex talk among teens (using words like "trouser snake" and "hard-on"), and a teacher talks about and pulls out a wrapped condom during a sex ed class. The movie also features a very consumer view of beauty: change your clothes and you'll change your life. Also, Louise thinks the only way anyone will like her is if she casts a spell on them.

Positive messages: Louise thinks the only way anyone will like her is if she casts a spell on them.
Violence: Brad nearly runs over Louise as she rides her bike home, forcing her off the road. David is lecherous and attempts to sexually assault her. Mr. Weaver falls down the stairs.
Sex: Brad works out in just his shorts several times. Randa kisses Brad's neck as he drives. A teacher talks about sex and shows the class a condom. Louise makes her teacher undress to his boxers and undershirt. Louise and Brad make out twice.
Language: "Hells' bells," "hard-on," "shlong," "trouser snake," etc.
Consumerism: Brands are mentioned or featured, including Punky Brewster, Coca-Cola, U2, and Adidas.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: David offers Louise weed. She refuses.
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More on Teen Witch

What to talk about

Talk to your kids

Families can talk about how it mattered more to Louise to look good to Brad than it did to be herself. What's more important in the end? Do you ever feel obsessed with your looks? What do you do to snap yourself out of it? What are some consequences of making other people's opinions of you more important than your own?

What's the story?

What's the story?

Louise Miller (Robyn Lively) is a typical teen: she's not the most popular, she's not the most fashionable, and she's not the most confident. Consequently, the boy of her dreams, Brad (Dan Gauthier), doesn't know she's alive. She suffers the typical teen terrors: a sadistic teacher, her personal diary entry about Brad gets read aloud in class, and she's picked to be in charge of the costumes for the school play instead of the lead actress. She's so tortured -- that is, until her 16th birthday. Then, suddenly she can get people to do what she wants -- surprise, she's a witch!

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

Like most fabulously awful '80s teen movies, Teen Witch offers some great wish fulfillment. What girl hasn't wanted to make her grabby date disappear, or turn her bullying brother into a dog? And what teen hasn't wanted to cast a spell to make herself popular and to force her crush du jour to fall in love with her?

What's not great about the film is its insistence that the way for girls to get boys to like them -- and perhaps vice versa -- is to be a different person. When Brad says "Every guy wants to date the most popular girl in school," it seems like a good time to remind teen viewers that Brad's pretty lame. Aside from his hunkiness, there's not much to recommend him. But that's enough for Louise to risk an important friendship and change into his ideal girl.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: MGM/UA
Director: Dorian Walker
Cast: Dan Gauthier, Dick Sargent, Robyn Lively, Zelda Rubinstein
Genre: Fantasy
Run time: 94 minutes
Theatrical release: October 2, 1989
DVD release: July 12, 2005
MPAA Rating: PG-13
This review was written by Heather Boerner
 
 

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What parents & educators say

8
Based on 3 parent & educator reviews:
  • 67% say there are positive messages
  • 33% say sexual content is an issue
  • 33% say there are positive role models
  • 33% say language is an issue
Read the reviews

Most useful reviews by all members

mjhonold
adult
 
I think kids should not play ihis video game because of the witch craft in it.
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helped me decide (3) | had useful details (3) | read my mind (3)
dramaqueen@hot ...
parent of 11 year old
8
 
great 80's fun!
This is such a cool movie its funny sweet just a great fanasty and i think kids 8 and up are totally allowed to see it oh i just love this movie so much!
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helped me decide (2) | had useful details (2) | read my mind (2)
Beckstar
adult
 
Not appropriate for Anyone Under 14 I think
I really enjoyed this film. But it is very shallow and superficial. Also, some language and mild sexual themes. Everything that is in the film is mentioned up the top, but there is a scene where Louise and Brad go to an abandoned building and he lays her down and they make out. At the end, it does have a good moral. Getting everything you think would make you happy, would not necesarily make you feel as happy as you thought
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helped me decide (2) | had useful details (2) | read my mind (2)

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