Sightseers
By Tom Cassidy,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
British dark comedy has murder, gore, language, sex.
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Sightseers
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What's the Story?
In SIGHTSEERS, 30-something couple Tina (Alice Lowe) and Chris (Steve Oram) set off on a road trip across the British Midlands and leave a trail of murders in their wake.
Is It Any Good?
This dark comedy would be a devastatingly terrifying movie if it were not for the frequent moments of hilarity. As it stands, Sightseers is a pretty special and wholly effective mix of the two. It's part surreal character study of two isolated people who've reached their mid-thirties entirely ignored by society, and part chilling, stomach-turning horror. Sightseers -- directed pitch perfectly by Ben Wheatley and written by its stars Lowe and Oram -- is an unflinching look at what can happen when people who've fallen through the cracks of society, crack. Hapless Chris' self-righteous attitude is hilarious ("I just want to be feared and respected, is that too much to ask?") until it crosses the line. Then the kills are brutal, ugly, and sometimes feel a little too much in their realistic aftermath. But Wheatley's uncompromising approach is what makes the film so effective.
The characters' believable backstories make them easy to understand, and while without warranting sympathy -- and despite yourself -- joining them on their beautifully shot tour of mundane museums of the Midlands in England is a thrilling and very funny way to spend 90 minutes. A cautionary tale to both society and a personal check for those with a tendency to overreact, Sightseers is uncomfortable viewing but a welcome addition to that niche corner of straight-faced slightly surreal British comedy.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the violence in Sightseers. How did it make you feel? What did the movie have to say about violence? Does it glorify it? Does exposure to violent media desensitize kids to violence?
Discuss the language used in the movie. Did it seem necessary or excessive? What did it contribute to the movie?
How was sex portrayed in the movie? Was it affectionate? Respectful? Parents, talk to your teens about your own values regarding sex and relationships.
What genre would you classify this movie as belonging to? Was it funny? Was it scary?
Discuss the characters of Tina and Chris. What were their motivations as to why they behaved the way they did? How might they have behaved differently in certain situations?
Movie Details
- In theaters: May 10, 2013
- On DVD or streaming: December 10, 2013
- Cast: Steve Oram, Alice Lowe, Jonathan Aris
- Director: Ben Wheatley
- Studio: IFC Films
- Genre: Comedy
- Topics: Holidays
- Run time: 88 minutes
- MPAA rating: NR
- Last updated: March 9, 2023
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