Flowers in the Attic

Movie review by Joyce Slaton, Common Sense Media
Flowers in the Attic Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 17+

'80s pulp novel gets creepy with evil adults, incest.

NR 2014 90 minutes

Parents say

age 15+

Based on 2 reviews

Kids say

age 14+

Based on 5 reviews

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

A Lot or a Little?

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

Community Reviews

age 15+

Flowers in the attic

I have never watched the movie but I read the book last year in 8th grade when I was13. Based on what happens in the book this should be for older teens. There is incest,poisoning,. There is also a sex scene which is sort of graphic. But I have heard the book is better than the movie so maybe your kid could read the book first. I am going to read the rest of the series as well as the other series that exist.
age 14+

Good remake!

Flowers in the Attic was well done for a remake of the original 1987 movie. Good acting but lacked some depth that the original had, it wasn't near as intense in the escape scenes. Teenage Kathy (Kiernan Shipka), Christopher (Mason Dye) and their much younger sibling twins Carrie (Ava Telek) and Cory (Maxwell Kovach) are four beautiful children of mother Corinne (Heather Graham) and father (Chad Willett). When the father is killed in a car wreck, they're left with nothing and Corinne has no choice but to take them to live with her rich parents, an ill father and a religion obsessed mother Olivia (Ellen Burstyn) who torments the children as well as her daughter Corinne specifically for engaging in an incestuous relationship, often brainwashing her grandchildren to be the Devil's Spawn. In order for Corinne to be accepted by her mother and to inherit her fathers millions, she must keep the children a secret by hiding them up in the attic, but months turn into years until Corinne stops visiting her kids and ultimately becomes just like her evil mother as the money and luxury take over her life. They turn to each other for comfort in a time of puberty and adolescents, the brother and sister start to have feelings for each other. When an innocent life is taken, they will stop at nothing to escape the attic but the memories will always live on. Violence has a scene of a woman who was whipped, her back is shown covered in bloody marks. Some screaming, arguing and verbal abuse. Sexual content has kissing of adult couples, an incest relationship between teenage siblings with some mild references, a scene of kissing and waking up under a blanket together (brother shirtless, sex implied), some talk and accusing of incest relationships, a teen boy looks through a magazine of women (not shown). Language is very mild but a lot of religious references to "evil" and the Devil's Spawn and that "God sees everything". Not much drinking shown. Is it worth seeing? Absolutely, but the story is slightly different than the book. Petals on the Wind, the 2nd installment, is also recommended but for mature viewers! This one is okay for 14 and up!

This title has:

Great messages
Too much violence
Too much sex

Movie Details

Our Editors Recommend

  • Adventureland Poster Image

    Adventureland

    Fairly thoughtful romcom masquerades as a raunchy indie.

    age 16+
  • The Way, Way Back Poster Image

    The Way, Way Back

    Refreshing coming-of-age tale a joy for teens and up.

    age 13+
  • The Americans Poster Image

    The Americans

    Period spy drama blends violence, sex, and '80s nostalgia.

    age 16+

Themes & Topics

Browse titles with similar subject matter.

  • Cartoon picture of a sister and brother holding hands
    Brothers and Sisters
    See all

Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.

See how we rate