Parents' Guide to

Welcome to the Dollhouse

By Hollis Griffin, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 17+

A dark look at adolescence; not for kids.

Movie R 1996 87 minutes
Welcome to the Dollhouse Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

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age 15+

Based on 1 parent review

wonder dove
wonder dove Adult
November 3, 2012
age 15+

Nice surprise!

I found this movie to be a little strange at first because I was expecting something more tame - targeted towards young teens, but it kept my attention and eventually decided it was pretty good (It is not for kids though!). I like how it's much different than most coming of age movies I've seen, dealing with dysfunctional families. It's definitely quirky which keeps it interesting. It's basically about a girl named Dawn who is disguised as a nerd because of her unique looks. She is bullied through most of the film which I found to be sad because her nature is very simple and caring. She is highly jealous of her little sister because she is beautiful and talented. Dawn has no friends and only wants to be accepted - until she meets an older boy from her brothers' band who draws an interest in Dawn (friend wise), then Dawn thinks she's in love. The only violence I remember is the bullying and verbal abuse (a school boy threatens to rape Dawn and tells her to meet him after school. He also verbally abuses her by calling her crude names.) Dawn and her sister also fight. Some strong language even by tweens. There is a bit of sexual innuendo throughout, some kissing and talking about intercourse. Overall, nice little movie for mature teens 15 and up.

This title has:

Too much violence
Too much sex
Too much swearing
See all 1 parent review

What's the Story?

Written and directed by indie fave Todd Solondz, WELCOME TO THE DOLLHOUSE explores the dark underbelly of adolescence through the eyes of tortured tween Dawn Weiner. Dawn deals with issues common to coming-of-age films: coping with bullies, falling in love with older boys, dealing with siblings who seem smarter and prettier, and handling feelings of malaise and general ennui. But in Solondz's hands, Dawn's adolescence is a veritable horror show, she is viciously harassed at school and unloved at home. But this is by no means a feel-good story. Rather, Dawn harbors fantasies of killing her bratty younger sister and confronts a troubled bully who secretly likes her, yet repeatedly threatens to rape her. Perhaps the most troubling aspect of the film is how the adults in her life fail her. Her mother withholds affection and her teachers abandon her to the cruelties of her tormentors.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (1):
Kids say (3):

Viewers will find themselves rooting for Dawn when she mutilates dolls and destroys family property; this is rendered comically in the film, but it is dark stuff. Adults will be able to appreciate the universality of the film's message: adolescence is a tough time that many experience as being alienating and disconcerting. Dawn's trials and tribulations will likely, ring too true to many kids as well. The film is essentially a commentary on overly rosy portraits of adolescence on film. This fact is likely to escape young viewers. Thus, this is a great film for adults, but it is too sinister and gloomy for kids.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the many issues related to teenaged alienation that are dealt with here. Why is Dawn treated badly by her classmates? How does the film portray her as being different, visually, from the other characters in the film? The film's depiction of teen sex and drug use offers a good opportunity for families to discuss these issues. Why does Dawn assume that Brandon uses drugs? Would you feel the same way? Is Steve Rodgers's treatment of female characters fair or unfair? Finally, the storyline dealing with child abduction might allow families to talk about right vs. wrong behaviors and feelings. Is Missy's abduction Dawn's fault? How should Dawn have handled that situation differently? Why were Dawn's actions dangerous?

Movie Details

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