Common Sense Media Review
Gritty adaptation of bestselling novel has violence.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 11+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Holes
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 40 parent reviews
Parents say the film, while engaging and entertaining for families, presents a mix of humor and dark themes, including violence and racism, making it potentially inappropriate for younger audiences. Despite the strong performances and a connection to the original book, some viewers criticize the portrayal of characters and the heavy-handed messages, suggesting discretion depending on the child's maturity level.
- engaging family film
- dark themes present
- humor and drama
- mixed reviews
- parental discretion advised
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
Based on 97 kid reviews
Kids say this movie is a mixed bag, eliciting strong reactions: some find it boring and confusing, while others love its unique story and adventure elements. Many appreciate the positive messages about friendship and resilience, although warnings about its mature themes and occasional violence suggest it may not be suitable for younger audiences.
- mixed reactions
- positive messages
- mature themes
- friendship focus
- engaging story
- suitable for older kids
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
Adapted by Louis Sachar from his own Newbery award-winning book, HOLES is the story of Stanley Yelnats (Shia LaBeouf). Stanley is wrongfully accused of stealing a very valuable pair of sneakers and gets sentenced to a juvenile facility in the desert. Each boy there is required to dig a five-foot-deep hole every day. They're told it's to help them develop character, but could it be that the warden (Sigourney Weaver) is looking for something that just might be buried in the endless stretch of sand that once was Green Lake?
Is It Any Good?
Author Sacher (who appears briefly in the film) adapted his own story, and it retains all of the book's complexity and understated, offbeat charm. The adult actors in Holes are excellent, especially Patricia Arquette and Dulé Hill, but the kids are the center of the story, and they handle it beautifully. Khleo Thomas is wonderfully engaging as Zero, Stanley's best friend at camp. In sharp contrast to most movies directed at 10- to 15-year-olds, Holes respects its audience's intelligence. The film refrains from overexplaining what's occurring on-screen and maintains the novel's original grit. It's willing to challenge its viewers, and that makes it a movie that everyone in the family can treasure.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Holes' themes of fate and choice. Which events seem to have been decided by fate (or a curse), and which were decided by the characters?
How much of our present is influenced by or determined by the past?
There are even more connections between the three stories than you see at first. How many can you find?
If you pay close attention, there's something significant about when the boys use their real names and when they use their tough nicknames. What does that tell you?
Why doesn't Stanley tell the truth in his letter to his mother? How is Stanley different at the end of the movie?
Movie Details
- In theaters : April 18, 2003
- On DVD or streaming : September 23, 2003
- Cast : Patricia Arquette , Shia LaBeouf , Sigourney Weaver
- Director : Andrew Davis
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Walt Disney Pictures
- Genre : Family and Kids
- Topics : Book Characters
- Run time : 111 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : violence, mild language and some thematic elements.
- Last updated : April 9, 2026
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