Tools for this page
Print

The Wicker Man

(2006, Rated PG-13, Horror, Starring Ellen Burstyn, Nicolas Cage, Leelee Sobieski)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

    (Flash is loading. If this text does not disappear you need to install the latest flash version)

    Not age appropriate for kids under 16, age appropriate for kids over 18; suggested age 16.
  • Is it any good?

    2.0
  • Common Sense says

    Horror remake about murderous cult. Not for kids.

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 16–18

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    Women in cult appear to subjugate "their" men and set up Edward for human sacrifice; Edward tries to "help people," but ends up easily fooled by ex-fiancée.
  • Violence:

    Car smashed by a truck in front of Edward, then bursts into flames (he sees versions of this trauma repeatedly, as flashbacks); Edward finds a bloodied corpse; Edward pulls his gun on a girl to get her bike; Edward is allergic to bees and attacked by a swarm, leaving him swollen, unconscious, near dead; Edward fights with several women near end, kicking and slamming them into walls and to the floor; Edward is beset by a swarm of women, bloodied, beaten, and tied up; Edward is set on fire (by a little girl) and screams as he burns to death (from a distance, his figure is recognizable).
  • Sex:

    Schoolgirls recite that men represent a "phallic symbol" island women seek to perform a "fertility ritual" a couple kisses (standing and clothed).
  • Language:

    One f-word, plus several instances of "s--t," "hell," and "damn."
  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Cop smokes cigarette; Edward takes prescription drugs following his trauma; he drinks "mead" ("honey, herbs, and whatnot"); extras drink in bar.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About The Wicker Man

Parents need to know that the plot sets up an agrarian cult of women who sacrifice humans and animals to a "fertility goddess." The eventual sacrifice is harrowing, as the victim is dragged, beaten, tied up, and burned to death (this scene is potentially scary for kids, as it uses sounds and blackouts). The film begins with a violent accident, in which a car with a mother and child inside is slammed by a truck and catches fire; this scene repeats as the witness/cop suffers flashbacks throughout the film. Island women menace the cop, who responds by pulling his gun and eventually fighting them physically. The cop discovers a dead body with bloody eyes (in close-up). Several tense scenes and arguments. One f-word; assorted other profanities.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about the functions of cults in popular culture. How is Edward an ideal victim for this group, as he wants to "help people"? Why might it be significant that the women are associated with "fertility"? Why are horror movies so popular in general?

Want more? Get Common Sense recommendations delivered to your inbox.

Our Members Say

Have you seen it? Review It!

  • What did you think about The Wicker Man?
  •  I think this movie is

    for ages

  •  I also give it

  •  Any concerns?

  •  Any highlights?

  •  Love it? Hate it?

  • or to post a review

Most Recent Reviews

  1. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    Lives in Pennsylvania
    I rate this title iffy for age 12 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence

    pretty good

    this movie isnt as bad a people are saying. its not really scary just creepy throughout the whole thing. SPOILER!!! in the end the one character is burned to death as an offering. that parts kinda disturbing. but other than that its not really that bad, especially if its one of your first scary movies. id recommend it.

  2. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    Lives in California
    I rate this title off for age 2 and give it 1.0

    Shouldn't even been made

    This movie was seriously the worst movie i have ever seen.I think this movie should never have been made. It was stupid, weird, and just plain right wrong. The idea in this movie was where this community of women believed in an island goddess and the women find men and get pregnant with them. Then they trick the men into believing that they are going to sacrifice there daughters but there actually trying to sacrifice the men.Now is that something you would want to watch i dont think so. So take my word for it and dont buy or watch this stupid movie. You'll regret it. Im sure i do.

  3. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    Lives in Massachusetts
    I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it 2.0

    BORD

    I could not keep track of what was happining. The enging of the movie through off the hole movie and made it TERRIBLE ! ! ! ! ! !

  4. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    Lives in Oregon
    I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it 1.0

    I wish i never watched this.

    The begining and middle was great. It was easy to get caught up and want to wach. But the end was HORIBLE. I was angry about how it ended. I advise you to DO NOT WATCH THIS!!!!

  5. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    Lives in Colorado
    I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it 1.0

  6. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    Lives in Georgia
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 2.0

    This movie was horrable! I don't recomend it to anyone! Two stars is a generous rating!

  7. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in California
    I rate this title off for age 2 and give it 0.0

    a waste of my life.

    i seriously wouldn't even bother with this movie. dont waste yourmoney on it. its the worst. the whole plot was bad and so was everything else. i hated it to be honest. i almost fell asleep.

  8. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in North Carolina
    I rate this title off for age 13 and give it 2.0

    Waste of time

    Aside from this movie being semi-inappropriate, it was just bad. It portrays men as evil or mindless, does little to provide insight on parts of plot (or lack thereof), and has scenes that aren't tied to the rest of the movie.

  9. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Georgia
    I rate this title off for age 17 and give it 1.0

More Great Stuff For Your Kids

  • New in Theaters

    Fantastic Mr. Fox

    Fantastic Mr. Fox

    Offbeat family adventure may charm adults more than kids.

  • Advice for Parents

    Are Your Kids Obsessed with Twilight & New Moon?

    Are Your Kids Obsessed with Twilight & New Moon?

    Discussion pointers for parents of "twilighters."

  • Book of the Week

    Million-Dollar Throw

    Million-Dollar Throw

    Another Lupica sensitive dad/son sports story.

  • Pick of the Week

    Bestselling Books

    Bestselling Books

    Popular new reads kids are buying today.

  • Game of the Week

    LEGO Rock Band

    LEGO Rock Band

    Simplified, no-fail Rock Band with a whimsical story.

Give Us a Minute, Get a Lot of Common Sense!
  • Age-appropriate best bets for your kids
  • Weekly email alert with the latest picks, reviews & advice
  • Post your own reviews and share them with friends

This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.
A screen name protects your privacy
To post a review or comment you must become a Common Sense Member. It's easy!

Set-up your account
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.

Choose a screen name
It will appear when you post your own reviews and recommendations.
A screen name protects your privacy

Tell us your children's ages
You'll see the movies, games, books, shows, music, and sites our editors select just for them. As your children get older, our picks will grow with them!Why we ask for this
We never display your children's names, (or nicknames) to anyone, but you. Providing your children's ages allows us to personalize information on our site, so you get better information, faster.
is
until
(optional)
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
Add another child

We can make Common Sense just right for you. With a little info about you and your family, you'll get the most out of our site.

Set-up your account
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.

Tell us your children's ages
You'll see the movies, games, books, shows, music, and sites our editors select just for them. As your children get older, our picks will grow with them!
Why we ask for this
We never display your children's names, (or nicknames) to anyone, but you. Providing your children's ages allows us to personalize information on our site, so you get better information, faster.
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
Add another child

Choose a screen name
It will appear when you post your own reviews and recommendations
A screen name protects your privacy
Register to add this school to your profile. You'll be able to see and share reviews from parents, teachers, and kids at your child's school.
I'm already a Common Sense member.
Kids under 13 must use a screen name