Want more recommendations for your family?
Sign up for our weekly newsletter for entertainment inspiration
The Boy Who Cried Werewolf
By Emily Ashby,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Cute family flick isn't too hair-raising for tweens.
A Lot or a Little?
What you will—and won't—find in this movie.
Where to Watch
Community Reviews
Based on 6 parent reviews
So funny
Report this review
Report this review
What's the Story?
Times have been tough for Jordan (Victoria Justice) and Hunter Sands (Chase Ellison) since their mom passed away, and the financial and emotional stress is starting to wear on their devoted father, David (Matt Winston). Facing possible foreclosure on their home, David is cautiously optimistic about a mysterious package that claims they've inherited a Romanian castle from a long-lost relative none of them knew. He and the kids head off to Romania to settle the estate, but soon after they arrive, Jordan accidentally exposes herself to werewolf DNA and transforms into the hideous beast. The monstrous changes are an inconvenience, to be sure, but they also unlock a whole new confident side to the typically awkward Jordan's personality. It's up to Hunter -- and the severe Madame Varcolac (Brooke Shields) to concoct an antidote in time to save Jordan's future.
Is It Any Good?
Perfect for Halloween, this cute movie is sure to delight young thrill-seekers everywhere with its blend of comedy and drama. Nickelodeon's own Victoria Justice is thoroughly convincing as the unpopular girl in school at the movie's start, and her evolution to the ultra-confident teen beauty has surprisingly positive messages about self-esteem and inner strength for her young fans tuning in. What's more, Jordan learns a weighty lesson in teen infatuation as well when her Romanian suitor reminds her that her true personality is the one he most likes.
As for content, THE BOY WHO CRIED WEREWOLF is very light on the iffy stuff, putting it more in the favor of those tweens -- even young ones -- who show an interest. There's no swearing, the Sands evoke a positive family structure, and very little of the suspenseful content could really be deemed "scary." In truth, one of the scariest aspects of it is Madame Varcolov, masterfully portrayed by Shields, and guessing at the nature of her true motivations. In other words, it's a fun, mildly spooky movie that's just right for transitional tweens.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about scary movies. Do you like to be scared by TV shows and movies? Which ones have you seen that were very scary? Which ones weren't? What contributes to a movie being scary?
Tweens: What kinds of legends surround mythical creatures like werewolves? Where do these kinds of stories originate? Do you think there's any truth to them? Which legends have you heard that you find most credible? Least credible?
Tweens: How would you rate your self-image? What factors contribute to the way you feel about yourself? How does overcoming a challenge affect your impression?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming: November 8, 2013
- Cast: Brooke Shields , Chase Ellison , Victoria Justice
- Director: Eric Bross
- Studio: Nickelodeon
- Genre: Family and Kids
- Topics: Friendship , Monsters, Ghosts, and Vampires
- Run time: 86 minutes
- MPAA rating: PG
- Last updated: February 17, 2023
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 suggesting a diversity update.
Suggest an Update
Where to Watch
Our Editors Recommend
Scary (But Not TOO Scary!) Halloween Movies
Scary Games (But Not TOO Scary!)
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