Common Sense Media Review
By Kat Halstead
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Psychological horror has violence, bloody imagery, language.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 16+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Consecration
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
In CONSECRATION, Grace (Jena Malone) travels to a remote Scottish convent after hearing news of her brother's death. Suspicious of the story told by the nuns and local police, she investigates further, uncovering the disturbing truth behind the events that took place, and how she could be connected.
Is It Any Good?
The director of Creep, Severance, Triangle, and Black Death turns his hand to spiritual/occult horror in this atmospheric tale of sacrilegious scares. Haunting landscapes, choral music, labyrinthine buildings, ghostly figures, and plenty of suspect behavior from members of the cloth ensure all the usual tropes are called upon in Consecration. Fans of a slow-burn psychological horror will certainly find plenty to enjoy from the familiar territory and reliable jump scares. A powerful central performance from Malone and a strong presence from Danny Huston as the Vatican's Father Romero, alongside an onslaught of twists and turns, elevate it above the generic, though the latter come close to derailing it all together at times. Consecration is a solid addition to the canon and proof again that Christopher Smith can confidently step into any dark corner of the genre.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the violence in Consecration. Did the blood and gore seem over the top? Did the violent scenes help tell the story in an effective way? Was it shocking or thrilling? Why? Does exposure to violent media desensitize kids to violence?
Horror is a genre that often relies heavily on tropes and rules. Which ones did you notice in the film, and what was the effect of them in terms of atmosphere and plot? What's the appeal of scary movies?
How was religion portrayed in the movie? Was the Catholic Church shown in a positive or negative light? What were some of the character traits of the nuns and priest?
The movie includes a strong heroine in the central role. What were some of her character strengths? How did she compare to other female leads in horror films? Do you think the film would have had a different impact with a male protagonist?
Discuss the strong language used. What did it contribute to the movie? Is a certain kind of language expected in a movie like this?
Movie Details
- In theaters : February 10, 2023
- On DVD or streaming : May 19, 2023
- Cast : Jena Malone , Danny Huston , Ian Pirie
- Director : Christopher Smith
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s) , Pansexual Movie Actor(s) , Indian/South Asian Movie Actor(s)
- Studios : IFC Midnight , Shudder
- Genre : Horror
- Character Strengths : Courage
- Run time : 90 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : bloody violent content and some language
- Last updated : February 15, 2023
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