Common Sense Media Review
By Stefan Pape
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Gory horror satirizes our relationship with technology.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Margaux
What's the Story?
MARGAUX is the story of a group of college friends who rent out a smart house for a summer vacation. Led by Drew (Jedidiah Goodacre), who brings along his social-media obsessed girlfriend, Lexi (Vanessa Morgan), the collective are dazzled by the inbuilt AI system called "Margaux," which offers a personalized and progressive weekend to the house guests. All except Hannah (Madison Pettis), who remains highly skeptical about the technology -- and for good reason.
Is It Any Good?
This horror flick has the bones of a fun, relevant story, but is undone by it's inclination to get overtly silly. The blending of comedy and horror is often a difficult stomping ground for filmmakers, and Margaux feels like it may have benefitted from reveling more in the latter and ramping up the scares. Director Steven C. Miller uses his camera well with some interesting shots and creative decisions. The characters are strong too, though perhaps the complexity of some of them is a little beyond the capabilities of the cast bringing them to life. It also begins well, setting up an intriguing story. But as it progresses the plot holes become jarring, and rather than find an intelligent final act to bring everything together, there's just blood and guts, and the hope that that will be enough.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the violence and gore in Margaux. How did it make you feel? Was it exciting? Shocking? Does exposure to violent media desensitize kids to violence?
What did you think the film was trying to say about our use of technology? What might some of the dangers of Artificial Intelligence be? What might some of the benefits be? Helping kids navigate the world of AI.
Did you find the film scary? If so, what was most scary about it? Did it remind you of any other movies? What's the appeal of horror movies?
Discuss the strong language used. Did it seem necessary or excessive? What did it contribute to the movie?
Talk about the differences between Hannah and Lexi. Why do you think the writers made them so different?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : September 9, 2022
- Cast : Madison Pettis , Vanessa Morgan , Jedidiah Goodacre
- Director : Steven C. Miller
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s) , Black Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Paramount Pictures
- Genre : Horror
- Topics : STEM , Friendship , Holidays
- Run time : 104 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : violence and gore, language, drug use and some sexual material
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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