Dream House

Movie review by Jeffrey Anderson, Common Sense Media
Dream House Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 15+

Muddled, weird thriller has disturbing violence.

PG-13 2011 92 minutes
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Parents say

age 13+

Based on 1 review

Kids say

age 13+

Based on 10 reviews

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A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this movie.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that this mystery-thriller with supernatural elements includes a disturbing scene of two children dying of bloody wounds. Several other characters also get shot and die, and some blood is on display. Shouting and threats are prevalent. Language is light but includes one use each of "f--k" and "s--t." A married couple kisses and engages in some bedroom play, though there's no nudity.

Community Reviews

wonder dove
wonder dove Adult
July 27, 2013
age 13+

Really quite good.

I wasn't sure if I'd like this movie, but I finally gave it shot and it was actually pretty good! I admit it turned strange and confusing about half way through, I didn't fully understand the story, but I still liked it and will happily watch it again. It's a psychological type thriller with a twist towards the mid-end. About a man who decides to quit his job so he can spend all the time in the world with his wife and daughters he loves dearly in their new house. After a while, he discovers some disturbing facts about a murder that took place in their dream house and keeps noticing that a mysterious man is always looking at their house, at night. Like a stalker. When he later learns more disturbing news, his life isn't really what it seems after all. I like the storyline and the characters were very genuine. It is also sad. Violence has shootings, murders and discussion of a murder. Two kid sisters become brutally ill and die with gory wounds shown. An explosion and arguing between characters. Sexual content is mild - a married couple kiss and one scene of playfully making out in bed. Language isn't too bad with common words like one "f' word and some uses of sh*t, @sshole, Goddamn...etc. Overall, chilling film with an excellent cast! Good for mature 13 and up.

This title has:

Too much violence
Too much swearing
See all 1 parent review

What's the Story?

Book editor Will Atenton (Daniel Craig) decides to quit his job to write and spend more time with his wife, Libby (Rachel Weisz), and their daughters in his new DREAM HOUSE. Unfortunately, he learns that some terrible murders took place in the house, and strange things start happening. The neighbors -- like pretty Ann Patterson (Naomi Watts) and her angry ex-husband (Marton Csokas) -- are acting suspiciously, and mysterious figures are hanging around in the woods watching the house. Will starts digging a little deeper into the house's past and discovers a sinister secret ... and everything he believes in comes crashing down around him.

Is It Any Good?

It's possible to see, somewhere in the fabric of this weird, overwrought misfire, that a good movie might once have been possible. Director Jim Sheridan, a six-time Oscar nominee for My Left Foot, In the Name of the Father, and In America, is normally quite good with stories about families. But it appears that neither he, nor screenwriter David Loucka, nor the editors, had any idea where this story starts, where it goes, and when it ends.

As a result, Dream House appears to climax somewhere in the middle, and many of the actors and their characters are left stranded. Poor Craig must suffer a strange change of hairstyle every few minutes, and Watts' character -- it turns out -- has very little to do with anything. Moreover, there's no attempt to create any red herrings, and the mystery stalls. Even the rules behind the supernatural elements are ignored. Finally, the emotional content is so ridiculously over-pitched that audiences are liable to laugh at this family's misfortunes.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the movie's violence. Is it appropriate for a thriller like this, or is it too brutal? What's the effect of watching this kind of violence?

  • Is the movie scary? If so, what makes it scary? What were the scariest moments, and why?

  • What is the movie really about? Does anyone learn anything? Is it a good story?

Movie Details

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