My Soul to Take

Movie review by Jeffrey Anderson, Common Sense Media
My Soul to Take Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 18+

Lots of bloody slashing in Wes Craven's violent chiller.

R 2010 107 minutes
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Parents say

age 15+

Based on 5 reviews

Kids say

age 13+

Based on 12 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 supernatural slasher about a serial killer who may have returned from the dead is full of slicing and dicing, with gallons of blood on display. There are also two instances in which adults hit teens. Language is quite strong, with many uses of "f--k" and "s--t." There are some sexual situations, including one involving teen pregnancy, but not much is shown onscreen. Most of the lead characters are 16, and the movie is being presented in 3-D (which, of course, makes everything that much more intense), so it's primed for teen consumption.

Community Reviews

clarence
clarence Adult
August 7, 2015
age 11+
helsingmusique
helsingmusique Adult
March 7, 2015
age 13+

I just love this movie

This movie captivated me, I was still a teenager when this came out and the first time I watched it, I enjoyed it so much. It is a proper thriller movie, I do not understand why it is listed as horror, maybe because of the death toll in, however it is much more a thriller than it is a horror movie. It could possibly be one of the reasons people do not like this movie, this is not a slasher film, the story has a great toll to play on the outcomes of those in the movie. They managed, at least for me (a person who does not tend to overthink anything when watching movies, and just tends to let the plot unravel), the climax and the "reveal" was a bit of a surprise for me, watching it now, I find foreshadowing to lead you to the "reveal", which is quite rare to see in most movies now. Note there is death in this movie, that's part of the plot, however some of the people also swear a lot in the film, nothing that would bother anyone over the age of 12 (swearing accounts, I'd assume the deaths in the film as well however to each their own).
See all 5 parent reviews

What's the Story?

In the small town of Riverton, a killer ("The Riverton Ripper") went on a rampage and slashed up several victims with a hunting knife. The very moment he died in an ambulance crash, seven children were simultaneously born in a nearby hospital. Sixteen years later, on the anniversary of that day, the teens still talk about the killer -- and about the possibility that he might return from the dead to kill again. Lo and behold, more killings begin, and this time, the seven teens appear to be the targets (as well as anyone else who gets in the way). A teen nicknamed "Bug" (Max Thieriot), who seems to be at the center of everything, begins hearing the voices and seeing images all of the souls around him. When he learns a terrible secret about his childhood, he discovers that he's a lot closer to the killings than he ever expected.

Is It Any Good?

Wes Craven wrote and directed MY SOUL TO TAKE, and he proves that although he might not be the most gifted scribe in the world, he's still a highly skilled director. Craven has a unique visual style and an aptitude for planting potential scares everywhere you look. His story of a possibly supernatural serial killer doesn't always make sense; sometimes the souls of living people speak through the teen hero, Bug, as opposed to dead ones. And the connection between souls and killings is never quite clear.

But the silly story can be forgiven. Almost no other living director can instill such a sense of gleeful dread in the autumn woods ... or in an ordinary house. Every wall, corner, and doorway is a potential hiding place and a potential source of danger. Craven's timing and use of three-dimensional space is practically unequalled. Better still, his sheer pleasure comes through in every frame; this is a man who loves filmmaking, rather than simply cranking out another teen horror fest.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the movie's violence. How did it affect you? How does its impact compare to that in other horror movies you've seen?

  • Is the movie scary? What makes it a horror movie? Does it have supernatural elements, or is it more about the suspense?

  • How does Bug grow and change over the course of the film? Does he learn to become a grown-up during his ordeal? Does he learn to take on responsibility?

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