Common Sense Media Review
By Sandie Angulo Chen
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Pulpy Southern immorality tale is for adults only.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 18+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Black Snake Moan
What's the Story?
In writer-director Craig Brewer's BLACK SNAKE MOAN, Laz (Samuel L. Jackson), a hard-working farmer nursing a broken heart, stumbles across a "half-naked, half-dead white woman" (Christina Ricci) left on the quiet road next to his farm. But Rae is no ordinary young woman. She's got "the sickness" -- a burning yearning for sex that no one man can sate. Her widely known sluttiness is what landed her in the bloody state she was found in, and now Laz, a God-fearing bluesman, is ready to exorcize her of her "wickedness." Just how is he going to keep her from "getting up under" every man within county limits? By chaining her to his radiator until she repents -- or at least until his best friend, the town pastor, convinces him that it's not his Biblical duty to "fix" her.
Is It Any Good?
Many viewers will undoubtedly be offended by Brewer's representation of a still-segregated, racist South in which mentioning a black man's "size" to a white man will get you beaten to a pulp. Not to mention Ricci's personification of a promiscuous woman who just can't get enough. But Brewer has a genuine affinity for portraying Southern and African-American culture. Interlacing Black Snake Moan's drama with blues music (including footage of the legendary Son House) and necessary doses of humor (Rae's memorable encounter with a young teen looking for butter beans at Laz's farm is particularly amusing), Brewer creates a clever (im)morality tale about an unlikely (OK, ludicrous) way to heal an ailing heart.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the reasons for Rae's promiscuity and Laz's unhappiness. How does their unorthodox relationship help them? What do you think happens to them? Will they continue in their destructive behaviors, or is there a sign that there's hope for them each to be happy? What do you think drew the actors to this movie?
The film explores many racist and religious themes. What are some examples of each?
Is the pastor judgmental or understanding? What is his influence on the characters?
Movie Details
- In theaters : March 1, 2007
- On DVD or streaming : March 15, 2022
- Cast : Christina Ricci , Justin Timberlake , Samuel L. Jackson
- Director : Craig Brewer
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s) , Black Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Paramount Vantage
- Genre : Drama
- Run time : 116 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : strong sexual content, language, some violence and drug use.
- Last updated : March 4, 2020
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate