Common Sense Media Review
By Jeffrey M. Anderson
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Clever horror-comedy has decent message underneath gore.
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Tucker & Dale vs. Evil
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 9 parent reviews
Based on 20 kid reviews
Kids say this movie is a hilarious and clever blend of horror and comedy, with a strong focus on exaggerated gore that is played for laughs, making it a fun watch rather than a scary one. However, it features a significant amount of strong language, nudity, and graphic violence, which makes it more suitable for older teens and adults rather than younger audiences.
- hilarious comedy
- exaggerated gore
- strong language
- unsuitable for kids
- good message
- clever parody
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
Like many horror movies, TUCKER & DALE VS. EVIL opens with a carload of college students looking for a good time in the woods; there's also the ominous foreshadowing with the creepy, local hillbillies. But this time, the hillbillies -- Dale (Tyler Labine) and Tucker (Alan Tudyk) -- are good-hearted souls who just want to spend some quality time in their new "vacation home" (i.e. a ramshackle cabin, formerly belonging to a serial killer). After an accident, pretty blond Allison (Katrina Bowden) winds up in Dale's care, but her shallow, short-sighted friends suspect foul play. Before long, grisly deaths start to occur ... but are they random accidents, or is there something more sinister going on?
Is It Any Good?
Director/co-writer Eli Craig makes his feature debut with a simple, ingenious idea. Why are hillbillies always so nasty and evil in horror movies? What if they're really good folks, and the college students are the awful ones? The movie takes this idea and runs all the way with it, allowing audiences to catch on at their own pace.
Most of the movie's success comes from Labine and Tudyk's lead performances; the actors conjure up an appealing combination of smart, dumb, and sweet, and have a believable friendship. There's also a visceral thrill in the outrageous deaths, each so hilariously implausible that it's shocking. The characters' deadpan reactions to the situation elevate the humor all the more. Although the movie isn't as endlessly engaging as something like Shaun of the Dead, it's still an all-around winner.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the movie's violence. Is it realistic, or cartoonish? How does that affect its impact? Why does some movie violence make audiences laugh?
Have you ever judged a book by its cover? Does this movie make you think about that, or is it too humorous to be taken seriously?
Movie Details
- In theaters : September 30, 2011
- On DVD or streaming : November 29, 2011
- Cast : Alan Tudyk , Katrina Bowden , Tyler Labine
- Director : Eli Craig
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Magnet Releasing
- Genre : Horror
- Run time : 89 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : bloody horror violence, language and brief nudity
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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