Common Sense Media Review
By Jennifer Green
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Dystopian sci-fi thriller with violence, peril, blood.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
The Last House
What's the Story?
In THE LAST HOUSE, married couple Jason (Wagner Moura) and Ann (Greta Lee) are struggling with payments on their old house, which feels like it's falling apart, while raising children Graham (Noah Alexander Sosnowski and Gabriel Barbosa) and Ruby (Riley Chung and Emma Ho). One day they're unable to open their front door, and none of their other doors or windows will open either. Panicking, they look across the street and realize all their neighbors are in the same situation. They're all being held captive inside by some strange power, seemingly brought on by the rain. As days turn into months and months into years, the family will need to figure out how to survive with the few provisions they have.
Is It Any Good?
This film is at its best when the focus is on the dynamics and survivalism of a Seattle family locked inside their home. It's the sci-fi horror aspect of The Last House that isn't quite scary enough nor developed well enough to really intrigue viewers. It's like there are two films here—the thriller, involving weird sea creatures that lock people in their houses COVID-style, and the family drama, where four people who love each other very much and thankfully get along bond and grow in a shutdown situation. The latter film has juice, which is testament to its top-notch lead actors, Moura and Lee.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the plot of The Last House. The film reads as an allegory for the COVID shutdown. What parallels do you see between the film and the pandemic?
Discuss the violence in the movie. Do you think it was the right level or was there too much? What are some of the moments that stood out as particularly scary or gory for you? Would the movie be as impactful without the violence?
What's the appeal of horror movies? Why do people sometimes enjoy being scared?
What character strengths do the family members demonstrate here?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : August 7, 2026
- Cast : Wagner Moura , Greta Lee
- Director : Louis Leterrier
- Studio : Netflix
- Genre : Thriller
- Topics : Animals ( Dogs , Fish , Ocean Creatures , Wild Animals ) , Family Stories ( Dads , Moms , Siblings )
- Character Strengths : Compassion , Courage , Teamwork
- Run time : 112 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : some violent content/terror, drug use, sexual references and brief language
- Last updated : August 7, 2026
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