Common Sense Media Review
By Kat Halstead
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Sexual violence, nudity, bloody injury in teen slasher.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 16+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
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Cherry Falls
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
In CHERRY FALLS, 16-year-old Jody (Brittany Murphy) is a smart high school student who spends her time trying to fit in and have fun while keeping her strict sheriff father (Michael Biehn) and pushy boyfriend (Gabriel Mann) happy. When two teenagers show up mutilated and murdered, followed quickly by another, the town goes into high alert to keep their kids safe and catch the serial killer. But as the authorities investigate, they discover just one connection between the victims so far: They're all virgins. Can the sheriff track down the killer before most of the high school are slayed, including his own daughter?
Is It Any Good?
The late 1990s/early 2000s were a prime time for teen slasher satires that offered anything from a knowing wink to a full self-referential monologue. Cherry Falls isn't as clever as the likes of Scream, or as slick as I Know What You Did Last Summer, but its premise of flipping the anti-sex message fully on its head is a clever one. Here, teens who've maintained their chastity are the ones in danger, not those who are sexually active—which leads to some moral questions for characters and viewers alike. While it's not a "serious" horror, the outright humor is occasional and the tone is inconsistent at times. In a scene particularly reminiscent of Scream, teens are gathered in a classroom discussing the murders, with one casually proclaiming that if the killer didn't dismember or sexually assault the victim, he gets a disappointing "thumbs down." Another sees the killer struck down by a large plastic shark. But then there's reference to a dark town secret—the rape of a high school girl that was ignored and covered up—and a flashback that sees a mother beating her young son. No comedy to be found there. Overall, Murphy does a great job as the "final girl," and the slashy scenes are good and, well, slashy. Not quite up to the standard of its peers, this movie will nonetheless offer nostalgic appeal for genre fans and an entertaining enough watch for most.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about satire in Cherry Falls. What elements of the slasher genre does the movie poke fun at? What does it challenge or turn on its head? Are there still some stereotypes that it falls into? Do you think they're on purpose? Have you seen other slasher films that incorporate comedy elements? How do they compare?
What did you think of the level of violence in the movie? Was it too much, or did it add to the story and impact? Were there any scenes that stood out as particularly scary or shocking? Why? Does exposure to violent media desensitize kids to violence?
Are drinking, smoking, or drug use glamorized here? Are there realistic consequences for their use? Why does that matter?
Discuss the strong language used in the movie. What does it contribute? Is a certain kind of language expected in a film like this?
Discuss how the film depicts teenage relationships and sex. Why do you think the characters are so focused on it? Is that realistic? Parents, talk to your teens about your own values regarding relationships.
Movie Details
- In theaters : October 20, 2000
- On DVD or streaming : March 29, 2016
- Cast : Brittany Murphy , Michael Biehn , Gabriel Mann
- Director : Geoffrey Wright
- Studio : USA Network
- Genre : Horror
- Topics : School ( High School )
- Run time : 92 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : strong violence/gore, teen sexuality, language and some drug content
- Last updated : July 6, 2026
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