The Unborn

  • Review Date: January 8, 2009
  • PG-13
  • Genre: Horror
  • 2009
 Review

Common Sense Media says

Possession tale is low on blood, but high on scares.
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.

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

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Parents say

Kids say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this is a review of the PG-13-rated movie and not the unrated DVD version. This horror film, while relatively bloodless, is still totally frightening (as in NOT for younger kids). It's full of freaky, scary stuff like monsters, creatures, and demons. Since the evil entity in the movie can jump from body to body, much of the violence in the film involves un-possessed people lashing
out at possessed victims -- including children. There's also lots of talk about abstract, monster-related theological issues (i.e. can a Jewish rite of exorcism protect a non-believer?). A subplot about a Holocaust survivor leads to imagery of Nazi death camps and medical experiments. Because the film's plot revolves around a stillborn twin, there's also disturbing imagery involving pregnancy, birth, and infancy that's used to create shock and horror. Characters also drink, swear, and get intimate (though nothing too sensitive is shown).

  • Extensive discussion of mystical and demonic elements of Christianity and Judaism. Several scenes are set in a home for the elderly, with discussion of the frailties that can come with age. Discussions of the Holocaust. Extensive imagery involving birth and pregnancy and its complications, including a fetus in a jar (which is later shattered). Discussions of Alzheimer's (referred to as "old-timers"), clinical depression, and genetic abnormalities.
  • Several scenes involve violence against -- or by -- children possessed by supernatural entities or supernatural entities in the form of children. Stabbings, bludgeonings, beatings, and other forms of violence. Some blood, though less than in many other horror films -- but there are many mutilated bodies, and some graphic images of contorted/dislocated limbs. Constant horror-film imagery, including swarms of insects, misshapen supernaturally influenced beings, howling
    monstrosities whose entire face is a fanged maw, and more. A child is hit by a car (though unharmed thanks to dark forces); later, the same child stabs a character to death. A plot point revolves around the death of an infant. The finale involves lots of supernatural violence -- people and objects being hurled about by psychic force -- and some violence committed by people possessed by that force. Characters are chased and threatened by scary monsters. Some World War II concentration camp imagery, including medical experiments on children; other medical imagery includes an eye examination.
  • A couple (young, but college-aged) kisses and cuddles, presumably after making love. Discussion of "wood" as a indicator of arousal. Some images of the female lead character in nightshirt and panties and a waist-up, from-the-back shot of her showering. A babysitter is asked if the husband and wife she's working for have "porn," with a brief discussion of hypothetical masturbation. Sexual activity is shown to have clear consequences.
  • Some instances of strong language, including one "f--k," "s--t," and "bitch." "Retard" is used as an insult.
  • Some brands are visible on-screen or mentioned in dialogue, including Cosmopolitan magazine, Red Bull energy drink, and Xanax.
  • Characters drink liquor at a club and talk about being drunk; one character notes of the other's stressed-out state that "I would just take one of my mom's Xanax and call it a day." A character is seen leading some sort of 12-step group, although for what, exactly, viewers are never told.

What's the story?

Young Casey Beldon (Odette Yustman) begins seeing fearful, frightening visions that all involve the phrase "Jumby wants to be born." Casey finds out from her father (James Remar) that Casey had a male twin who died in the womb -- and that their nickname for the him was "Jumby." Haunted by this new information, memories of her mother's suicide, and increasingly bizarre visions, Casey learns that she's being haunted by a diabolical sprit known as a dybbuk -- a dead soul barred from the afterlife -- that has been circling her family for generations in an effort to gain a foothold in this world. The spirt is trying to isolate Casey and break her down; can she keep herself and her friends safe as she tries to convince a skeptical rabbi (Gary Oldman) to perform a Jewish rite of exorcism? Or will Casey be the final victim of a darkness that's stalked her family over long, grim decades?


Is it any good?

 

Written and directed by David S. Goyer, THE UNBORN may have fully modern digital effects and high-tech moviemaking, but it also has a nice, retro '70s feel, harkening back to supernatural chillers like The Exorcist and Rosemary's Baby -- movies in which atmosphere was more important than gore, and supernatural goings-on were treated with a plains-spoken, matter-of-fact directness. Compared to moody-but-plotless horror films like The Grudge or Pulse, The Unborn's stop-the-ghost series of scares feels almost reassuringly old-fashioned.

Yustman (best known from her work in Cloverfield) is a sympathetic and strong protagonist, and Meagan Good gives sassy support as her best friend, while Cam Gigandet (Twilight) is a stalwart boyfriend as Casey's journey becomes more and more perilous. Oldman gives class and grace to what could have been a thankless role as the rabbi Casey turns to for help, and The Wire's Idris Elba also puts life and humanity into a small part. The Unborn is a fair-to-good horor film, but considering how many horror films are outright awful, that puts it far above its peers.


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What families can talk about

  • Families can talk about the way the film creates shock, tension, and horror with a relative minimum of blood. Is the movie's level of violence and unsettling imagery more or less scary because of its restraint?

  • Why are audiences drawn to horror movies?

  • Families can also discuss the
    role that traditional folklore of possession, demonic spirits, and
    ghosts plays in the movie. Why do these stories appear so frequently in
    most cultures?

  • What role do they have in
    theology and tradition?


This review was written by James Rocchi
Parent
December 4, 2009
 
The Unborn
It was pretty nice. Creepy, trippy, mind twisting, but not all that scary. I recommend this movie for strong stomached kids 13+.

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Adult
October 14, 2009
 
It's okay, but really not that great
This film is okay, but all of the scares rely on pop-out scenes and loud noises. This film is actually kind of boring. There is some violence including one stabbing, and some sexual talk. The unrated version features a sex scene between Casey and her boyfriend.

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Parent of 14, 15, and 17 year old
October 2, 2009
 
The Truth.
The truth is it wasn't that bad at all. Most kids 12+ would eligible to witness this media production. sexuality and drinking are higher up, but most media is worse then this movie. It has scary content not advised for children 11 and younger. Violence is higher up then other things but it is a horror movie and thats whats to be expected. there is very little blood. This is a good movie for teens 13+.

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Parent of 4 year old
August 27, 2009
 

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Teen, 14 years old
November 13, 2010
 
verrry scarrry only for older kids (or brave younger kids).
im reviewing the unrated version which gets a little worse than the regular version obviously its more like an r rated film at that point but if you believe your child is mature enough and is brave go ahead let them watch it

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Teen, 16 years old
September 19, 2010
 
DO NOT WATCH
this movie was one of the worst horror movies ive ever seen, it was stupid and totally not scary.

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Teen, 15 years old
May 5, 2010
 

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Teen, 17 years old
April 4, 2010
 
Not for Kids
there is absolutely nothing positive about this film no child should watch this, extremely terrifying and disturbing.

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Teen, 14 years old
November 4, 2009
 
Perfect for the older ones,but leave the youngest at home.
Parents need to know that the Unborn is a tamed horror movie compared to most horror movies,but still isnt for kids 12 and younger,perfect for kids 13 and up.

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Teen, 16 years old
August 9, 2009
 
older kids
omg! enough with all this crap about 15+! this movie was creepy, but good, i saw it when i was 12!

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This review was written by James Rocchi
Studio:Universal Pictures
Director:David S. Goyer
Cast:Cam Gigandet, Gary Oldman, Odette Yustman
Genre:Horror
Run time:90 minutes
Theatrical release date:January 9, 2009
DVD release date:July 7, 2009
MPAA rating:PG-13
MPAA explanation:intense sequences of violence & terror, disturbing images, thematic material & language including some sexual references

This review was written by James Rocchi
 

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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.

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