Common Sense Media Review
By Michael Ordona
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Violence, language, drinking in snarky, twisty thriller.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 16+?
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Where to Watch
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Better Watch Out
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 13 parent reviews
Parents say the film has received mixed reviews, with some praising its comedic take on horror while others find it disturbing, particularly due to themes of sexual violence and drug use. Many agree that while it contains less graphic violence than typical horror films, it does have dark and awkward moments that may not appeal to everyone, making it suitable for mature tweens rather than younger audiences.
- mixed reviews
- dark themes
- less graphic violence
- suitable for tweens
- comedic elements
- awkward moments
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
Based on 20 kid reviews
What's the Story?
BETTER WATCH OUT starts as a teen romantic comedy, with 12-year-old Luke (Levi Miller) hoping to romance older teen babysitter Ashley (Olivia DeJonge, a ringer for a young Diane Kruger) before she moves away. But before long, it veers into home invasion/slasher territory, as someone may be watching them from outside. Then the twists start in earnest.
Is It Any Good?
It's never too early for a Christmas-themed horror/thriller movie, if it's as original as this one. Better Watch Out shifts gears several times in some delightful ways, gleefully blurring into which genre it actually fits. "Delightful" might seem like a strange description for a film in which some truly hideous things happen -- including torture, murder, and assault -- but for those who go in for twisty, twisted, violent thrillers, the film likely has enough surprises to make it fun. Nice-girl teen babysitter Ashley is moving soon, but she welcomes the chance to care for 12-year-old Luke one more time in the family's cushy suburban neighborhood. Luke is about to put the moves on her when someone starts terrorizing them. To reveal more would ruin the experience; let's just say there's much more to the story than that.
Better Watch Out's spins on a dime recall the Duplass brothers' underappreciated Baghead, though this film definitely aims for a more sinister kind of entertainment. It plays at times like a John Hughes movie remade by Eli Roth. There's a puckish humor beneath it all; director/co-writer Chris Peckover definitely maintains a meta-view of the genre(s) and keeps things moving entertainingly. Miller has collected a few awards for his lead performance, and DeJonge is very good in a role with more dimension than the usual damsel in distress. Better Watch Out isn't for kids, but for horror/thriller fans, it's a nice holiday surprise.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Better Watch Out's violence. How does it compare to other horror movies you've seen? When terrible things happen off camera, is that more or less upsetting than seeing them take place on-screen? Why? What's the impact of media violence on kids?
Was Better Watch Out scarier, more effective, or more realistic than other films like it that you've seen? Why or why not?
How does the movie portray substance use/abuse? Is it glamorized? Do the characters face realistic consequences? Why is that important?
How does the movie play with what you've come to expect/anticipate from seeing other films in similar genres? Is that effective or is it confusing or annoying?
Some of the extreme actions taken by one of the characters aren't directly explained, but clues are given about that character's past. What are some of those clues? Did you think that was an effective way to reveal character, rather than having motivations explained out loud?
Movie Details
- In theaters : October 6, 2017
- On DVD or streaming : December 5, 2017
- Cast : Olivia DeJonge , Levi Miller , Virginia Madsen , Patrick Warburton
- Director : Chris Peckover
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Well Go USA Entertainment
- Genre : Thriller
- Topics : Holidays
- Run time : 89 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : disturbing violent content, language throughout, crude sexual references, drug and alcohol use - all involving teens
- Last updated : January 3, 2026
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