Common Sense Media Review
By Stefan Pape
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Flawed folk horror has gory violence, strong language.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 16+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Unwelcome
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
UNWELCOME is the story of expectant parents Jamie (Douglas Booth) and Maya (Hannah John-Kamen) who, after an attack in their London home, leave the city to seek a safer refuge to raise their child. After the passing of Jamie's aunt, they move into her now empty abode in rural Ireland. Though away from the dangers of city life, they come head to head with a new adversary ... the wicked goblins who live at the foot of their new garden. Goblins who need to be fed.
Is It Any Good?
On the surface this is a gory, supernatural horror flick that uses old fables and mythology to set its scene. But actually, there's a lightness to Unwelcome, a playful, irreverent quality that means you're never quite sure where it stands. Is it all just a bit of intentional silliness? That's fine if so, audiences can take it for what it is, nonsensical fluff. But if it's not, then Houston, we have a problem. Whatever its intentions, it remains a flawed film. From a horror perspective, there's nothing we've not seen before -- horror buffs will notice the David Cronenberg and Ray Harryhausen influences. But on the whole, the film will struggle to be accessible enough to truly entertain most people.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the violence in Unwelcome. Did the blood and gore seem over the top? Did the comedic tone of the movie make the violent scenes less impactful? If so, why? Does exposure to violent media desensitize kids to violence?
Did you find the movie scary? How did it compare to other horror movies? What's the appeal of scary movies?
Talk about the strong language in the movie. Did it seem necessary or excessive? What did it contribute to the movie?
What role did the Irish setting play in the film? Did the representation of rural, Irish life seem realistic or did it play to stereotypes? What can be the impact of stereotyping people?
Movie Details
- In theaters : March 8, 2023
- On DVD or streaming : May 9, 2023
- Cast : Douglas Booth , Hannah John-Kamen , Colm Meaney
- Director : Jon Wright
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s) , Black Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Well Go USA Entertainment
- Genre : Horror
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic )
- Run time : 104 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : strong violence and gore, pervasive language, some drug use and sexual material
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
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