Common Sense Media Review
By Charles Cassady Jr.
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Waters' cheery murder satire is gory and profane.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 16+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Serial Mom
What's the Story?
SERIAL MOM takes place in suburban Baltimore. Beverly Sutphin (Kathleen Turner) is a proper, well-mannered, ultra-capable, adoring, churchgoing mom to her dentist husband, Eugene (Sam Waterson), and their two kids, Chip (Matthew Lillard) and Misty (Ricki Lake). But she's also a murderer who tortures and brutally kills anyone (outside the immediate family) who annoys her. Eventually, family and police notice her increasingly public crimes, and Baltimore is thrilled to finally have its own serial killer.
Is It Any Good?
The social spoofing is broad and unsubtle in this darkly funny film. In Serial Mom, when a Catholic sermon turns into a pro-death penalty speech, the priest cheerfully asserts that Jesus never made policy statements against capital punishment––not even during His own. But the actors seem to be having a great time, and the Squaresville-sitcom vibe––inspired by the likes of Leave It to Beaver––takes the edge off the bloodletting, sex, and swearing. The film doesn't make you feel contaminated for watching it, like Natural Born Killers does, even though the two movies share much in common in criticizing a violence-obsessed media culture. It's absurd and even outrageous—but unlike its more nihilistic peers, Serial Mom manages to be wickedly entertaining without losing its sense of well-deserved cynicism.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Serial Mom's satire about society's fascination with serial killers. What role does the media play in enhancing this obsession? Is Waters' sitcom-style take on this media craze part of the problem, or part of the solution?
What does the film try to say about suburban life and the pressures to maintain a flawless public image? How can we find a healthy balance between authenticity, integrity, and respecting social norms?
In what ways does the film blur the line between horror and comedy? Does that affect how we view the violence?
Movie Details
- In theaters : May 13, 1994
- On DVD or streaming : May 5, 2008
- Cast : Kathleen Turner , Ricki Lake , Sam Waterston
- Director : John Waters
- Studio : HBO
- Genre : Comedy
- Run time : 93 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : satirical presentation of strong violence, vulgar language and sexual episodes.
- Last updated : September 10, 2025
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