Common Sense Media Review
By Jeffrey M. Anderson
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Mixed-up Depp/Burton vampire comedy has blood, innuendo.
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Dark Shadows
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 24 parent reviews
Based on 66 kid reviews
Kids say the movie is a blend of comedy and horror, featuring a vampire story with strong themes of violence, sexual content, and dark humor, leading to mixed feelings among viewers about its appropriateness for younger audiences. While some fans appreciate its unique style and humor, many believe it is not suitable for children under 12, citing excessive adult themes and crude jokes.
- violence and gore
- adult content
- mixed reception
- humor style
- age recommendation
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
In the 18th century, Barnabas Collins (Johnny Depp) is a wealthy and powerful gentleman who attracts the romantic attentions of a servant girl (Eva Green) and breaks her heart. She turns out to be a witch who vengefully turns Barnabas into a vampire and buries him for 200 years. He wakes in the year 1972 and returns to his family home. Slightly befuddled by this strange new world, he moves in with the new generation of Collinses and tries to return the family to its former glory. And it turns out the family's new governess is the (possible) reincarnation of his lost love, Josette (Bella Heathcote). But the witch, now called "Angie," is still around and still looking to possess Barnabas for herself.
Is It Any Good?
In certain ways, this movie comes closest to celebrated director Tim Burton's best and most personal work. He brings many of his unique touches to DARK SHADOWS, including a dazzling, intricate, gothic design; heavy, crazy makeup (and blonde wigs) for his characters; and a penchant for high operatic style.
But while Burton should have been comfortable with the story's large-scale passions and soap opera emotions -- as evidenced by movies like Edward Scissorhands -- he seems unwilling to take the risk. Instead, he retreats to silly, fish-out-of-water comedy, as written by Seth Grahame-Smith (author of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies), that's filled with jokes about and references to the 1970s. With stronger material, Burton's films are capable of great verbal wit (Pee-wee's Big Adventure, Beetlejuice, Ed Wood), but Dark Shadows was more suited to a purely visual treatment.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Dark Shadows' vampire violence. Is it scary or funny? Which is it meant to be? What's shown, and what isn't shown? How does that affect its impact?
Are the scenes with 15-year-old Chloe Grace Moretz sexy or uncomfortable? Is she too young for this material, or does the movie's playful tone make it OK?
How is Angelique portrayed? Talk about female stereotypes in novels and films, particularly the "sexual (but evil) temptress."
Why do you think so many of the characters in this movie drink so much? Does the movie treat this seriously or jokingly?
Movie Details
- In theaters : May 11, 2012
- On DVD or streaming : October 2, 2012
- Cast : Eva Green , Johnny Depp , Michelle Pfeiffer
- Director : Tim Burton
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Warner Bros.
- Genre : Comedy
- Topics : Fantasy
- Run time : 113 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : comic horror violence, sexual content, some drug use, language and smoking
- Last updated : September 30, 2025
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