Parents' Guide to

Catfish

By S. Jhoanna Robledo, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 15+

Online life docu reels viewers in with suspense, humanity.

Movie PG-13 2010 94 minutes
Catfish Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Community Reviews

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age 13+

Based on 3 parent reviews

jmo97
jmo97 Adult
December 22, 2016
age 15+

Intriguing premise has some iffy material

"Catfish" is a very interesting film that talks about risks of being on social media. It has a brisk pace that should be enough for older teens to keep along with their parents when watching the film, even though sometimes it gets really uncomfortable watching (there are scenes where when the filmmakers meet their online friends in real life, there is a sense that the subjects' privacy is being "invaded"). I would recommend this film more for older teens mainly because of one scene where one of the filmmakers reads aloud a sexually detailed message he receives. Other than that, there is occasional swearing. This theme is definitely worth discussing with teens, but I think this movie is best for older and more mature ones. 7.2/10

This title has:

Great messages
Too much sex
Too much swearing
Too much consumerism
Bob97531
Bob97531 Parent of 17-year-old
May 2, 2011
age 12+

I hated it

I let my daughter watch is film and she was horrified from the sexual and violent scenes I would ban this film or make it an 18+. I advise you not to watch this film with children or without.

This title has:

Too much violence
Too much sex
Too much swearing
Too much consumerism
Too much drinking/drugs/smoking
See all 3 parent reviews

What's the Story?

In 2007, New York City photographer Yaniv "Nev" Schulman receives a painting in the mail of one of his published pictures. It's by Abby, an 8-year-old girl from Ishpeming, Mich. In no time, they start communicating with each other through their art, sharing photos and paintings -- a friendship that Nev's brother, Ariel Schulman, and his filmmaker friend, Henry Joost, start documenting with a camera. Soon, Nev becomes Facebook friends with Abby's entire family, including her mother, Angela, and her half-sister, Megan, a stunning 19-year-old dancer to whom Nev quickly grows attached. Through phone calls, text messages, and Facebook, their connection strengthens. Eventually the three New Yorkers decide that it's time for Nev to meet Megan -- and the rest of the family -- face to face.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (3):
Kids say (4):

It's hard to discuss the potency of CATFISH without spoiling it, but suffice it to say that the film succeeds in illustrating the perils of online relationships without vilifying anyone. (Even those who, under other circumstances, might shoulder much of the blame.) Despite the movie's frequently grainy, shaky, and off-kilter footage, it manages to move forward with such momentum that we have no other choice but to ride along. And it perfectly captures what it's like to live and love and learn online.

Yes, some viewers may suspect they know what's around the bend within the first 20 minutes. And it's true that the filmmakers, who are also characters in the documentary, at times come off as glib with their banter. But the way the movie twists -- and it may not be the twist you expect -- reveals so much about human nature and how compassion and wisdom lurk in places that you don't always look. As one character explains when discussing why catfish is kept in the same vats as cod during transit, the catfish keep the cod agile. But just who is the catfish here, and who is the cod?

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about online personas. Do they completely capture a person's character? How can you tell what's true about who a person says they area online?

  • Are relationships forged online as authentic and full-textured as those formed in real life?

  • What about the idea of online privacy? How much do you share? How much do you keep private? Parents, talk to your kids about staying safe online.

Movie Details

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