Common Sense Media Review
It all feels recycled and re-recycled.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 16+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Secret Window
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 4 parent reviews
Based on 16 kid reviews
Kids say this movie is an engaging but dark thriller that offers a compelling plot twist, making it appealing to older teens, particularly fans of Johnny Depp. While some parts are confusing and contain graphic violence, viewers recommend it for those 12 and up, suggesting parental guidance to navigate the mature content.
- entertaining twist
- graphic violence
- engaging story
- good for teens
- mixed reviews
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
Based on Stephen King's book, SECRET WINDOW centers on horror writer Morty (Johnny Depp). Living in a remote cabin after splitting with his wife, Morty mostly mopes and sleeps. He loves his puppy and he literally won't hurt a mouse. But he can't seem to get back to work. The best he can do is delete what he has already written. And then there is a knock at the door. Enter the villain, a menacing man in a broad preacher's hat, who says that his name is John Shooter (John Turturro) and that Morty has stolen his story. All of the traditional thriller elements follow: the red herring, the seemingly ineffectual sheriff and the seemingly powerful ally, the property damage, the shocking deaths, the framing of the hero for the crimes, the creepy music, the tight close-ups that keep us from knowing what's outside the frame, and of course, the a-ha moment.
Is It Any Good?
There are a couple of tingly reveals and creepy fake-outs, but overall it's just too familiar. It all feels recycled and re-recycled. Depp is always watchable and he seems to be enjoying Morty's long solo scenes as a sort of on-camera acting exercise. John Shooter tells Morty that his story needs a better ending. So does this movie.
We know what scares Stephen King: That most prolific of writers is still terrified by an empty computer screen, or, even worse, a screen with writing that is irreparably bad. And that author whose imagination has kept millions of happily terrified readers up all night is still scared of losing control of that imagination or having it disappear completely. That's what Secret Window brings to mind.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the clues that indicate what the final twist will be, including the very first scene and the scene in the bathroom. Why is it important that Morty had a past experience with a charge of plagiarism?
Movie Details
- In theaters : March 12, 2004
- On DVD or streaming : June 22, 2004
- Cast : John Turturro , Johnny Depp , Maria Bello
- Director : David Koepp
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Columbia Tristar
- Genre : Thriller
- Run time : 105 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : violence/terror, sexual content and language
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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
Suggest an Update
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