Common Sense Media Review
By Renee Schonfeld
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Bloody lesbian-vampire story is stylish, but no Twilight.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 17+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
The Hunger
What's the Story?
Miriam (Catherine Deneuve) and John (David Bowie), the elegant vampires-next-door in a chic modern-day Manhattan mansion, face the end of their centuries-old romance when John begins to age and rapidly dies. Miriam's quest for a new life partner leads her to Sarah (Susan Sarandon), a doctor researching longevity and humankind's biological clock. Sarah falls victim to the beautiful vampire's seduction and enters a world of erotic sex and brutal murder. But when Sarah fights back, refusing to accept her fate, Miriam encounters a formidable enemy.
Is It Any Good?
The Hunger is hampered by a humorless, weak story and shallow, undefined characters. Even the inventive direction and the stunning visual effects and production design, along with two of the world's most beautiful women willing to participate in what must have been very controversial love scenes in 1983 when the film was made, cannot make up for these shortcomings. The audience is continually assaulted by orgies of blood and gore, often combined with erotica, all of which lead to a silly final battle between the dying and the undead. This exercise in style over substance has a cult following of vampire fans and mature teen fans of the genre will overlook the film's weaknesses for it's stylish and sometimes shocking plot elements.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about teens' continuing fascination with horror movies (and specifically vampires) in film, books, and television. What do you think is so appealing about the genre?
Why do so many horror movies combine sex with violence? What is the effect of watching this combination? What is the appeal?
Movie Details
- In theaters : April 29, 1983
- On DVD or streaming : October 5, 2004
- Cast : Catherine Deneuve , David Bowie , Susan Sarandon
- Director : Tony Scott
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s) , Gay Movie Actor(s) , Bisexual Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : MGM/UA
- Genre : Horror
- Run time : 97 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : September 28, 2022
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