Common Sense Media Review
By James Rocchi
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Grim, grisly horror film only for mature viewers.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 18+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Quarantine
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 9 parent reviews
Based on 25 kid reviews
Kids say the movie is a violent and intense horror film that may appeal to mature audiences, particularly those who enjoy the found footage genre, although many reviewers noted it is a near shot-for-shot remake of a Spanish film. While some viewers found it terrifying and praised the realistic portrayal of its characters and situations, others considered it less scary and criticized it for excessive gore and predictable jump scares, with many strongly advising against letting younger teens watch it.
- violent
- intense
- remake
- not for kids
- realistic
- jump scares
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
In Los Angeles, a reporter and cameraman for a late-night cable program called Night Shift are shadowing a group of firefighters during their evening at the firehouse. Dispatched on a call, the TV crew and firefighters soon find themselves locked in an apartment building, where a report of an injured woman soon becomes a nightmare: A super-virulent form of rabies begins leaping from the injured woman to other residents of the building and attacking the remaining uninfected survivors. Trapped between blood-hungry monsters on the inside and the threat of death from the outside, will our heroes survive?
Is It Any Good?
A virtual shot-for shot remake of the Spanish horror film [REC], QUARANTINE is a brutal, terrifying, and wrenchingly tense horror film. Some might say that horror films are pretty much the same, but the fact is that there are well-made examples of the genre and badly made examples of the genre, and Quarantine delivers superbly constructed, remarkably effective scares. The "camera's-eye view" technique constantly plunges viewers into the thick of things and also means that there's always some fresh terror ready to be dragged into view with a simple turn of the camera.
While the characters aren't much more than generic caricatures -- the plucky reporter (Jennifer Carpenter), the stalwart cameraman (Steve Harris), the tough fireman (Jay Hernandez), the conveniently well-informed veterinarian (Gregg Germann), and more -- but the real appeal of Quarantine is the film's concept and its execution, which is superbly handled and never flinches from going for the jugular with scares and gore. Quarantine is far smarter than it looks -- for example, when the outside word cuts off power to the building, it not only heightens the tension but also creates a legitimate reason for Harris' character to keep carrying the camera (which has a light on top) around as the infected victims attack. Quarantine plays like a feature-length version of the initial outbreak that most modern zombie films gloss over in their first five minutes. If you're a horror fan, it's just your kind of nightmare; if you're not a horror fan, it's not a film you'll enjoy or appreciate.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about why zombie-style films are so popular. What anxieties do they speak to?
How have modern "zombie" movies changed from the original examples of the genre?
Also, do you think the movie's single-camera technique makes the film more frightening, or is it a gimmick designed to cover up a weak, familiar plot?
Families can also discuss the film's scenario -- what law enforcement and medical procedures are in place in the event of a biological emergency? Would they be effective?
Movie Details
- In theaters : October 10, 2008
- On DVD or streaming : February 17, 2009
- Cast : Jay Hernandez , Jennifer Carpenter , Johnathon Schaech
- Director : John Erick Dowdle
- Inclusion Information : Latino Movie Actor(s) , Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Screen Gems
- Genre : Horror
- Run time : 89 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : bloody violent and disturbing content, terror and language.
- Last updated : March 30, 2026
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