Common Sense Media Review
By Stefan Pape
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Jewish folklore provides jump scares in disturbing horror.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
The Offering
What's the Story?
THE OFFERING tells the story of Art (Nick Blood) and his pregnant wife Claire (Emily Wiseman), who go to stay at Art's estranged father's funeral home, in a bid to settle their differences. As Saul (Allan Corduner) strives to find a common ground with his son, relative Heimish (Paul Kaye) is somewhat more sceptical. Though they all have bigger issues to contend with, as one of the bodies in the morgue in the basement contains an ancient demon with a score to settle.
Is It Any Good?
This low-budget modern horror cleverly uses religious folklore to help craft a narrative, exploring old Jewish demonology. Though while The Offering begins with this unique aspect, eventually it just becomes like so many films in this genre. Big mansions, where spirits with vengeance attack the minds and bodies of those who live within, is already a saturated market, and this film feels too familiar in that regard. Instead it works more triumphantly as a human piece, with an impressive opening act to help set the scene. The complex family dynamics are nuanced and compelling. It's when it ventures into generic horror territory that it falls flat. On that note, the viewer is also too privy to the leading antagonist; the demon. Our minds are always more imaginative and more dark than what can be conjured on-screen. Perhaps leaving a little more to our weird and wonderful imaginations would have been to the movie's benefit.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about whether The Offering was scary. What was most scary about it? Did it remind you of any other movies? What's the appeal of horror movies?
What role did Judaism play in the story? Have you seen this community represented in films much? Maybe you're a part of this community -- if so, did it seem like an authentic portrayal? Why representation matters in kids' media.
What were some of the issues between Art and his father? How did they try to overcome their differences?
Movie Details
- In theaters : January 13, 2023
- On DVD or streaming : April 18, 2023
- Cast : Nick Blood , Emily Wiseman , Allan Corduner
- Director : Oliver Park
- Studio : DECAL
- Genre : Horror
- Topics : Fantasy
- Run time : 93 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : for violence
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
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