Common Sense Media Review
By Kat Halstead
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Tension, violence in disturbing but derivative horror.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 16+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Would You Rather
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
In WOULD YOU RATHER, Iris (Brittany Snow) is a young woman taking care of her brother who desperately needs a bone marrow transplant to survive. Struggling with increasing financial debt, she's offered an opportunity by a mysterious aristocrat (Jeffrey Combs), who invites her to a dinner party where she'll compete against others in need with the promise of a huge financial reward. At first she shies away, but desperation pushes her in his direction and soon she finds herself being played off against a group of strangers in a game that could be not just life changing, but life threatening for all of them.
Is It Any Good?
There's an interesting premise at the heart of this fairly derivative horror that leans into the "torture porn" sub-genre with disturbing and gruesome effect. Snow's performance keeps Would You Rather grounded, when it could have got lost in its own setup and the horrific Saw-like choices the characters are forced to make. There are bloody, violent moments, but the power is more in the psychological aspect here, and the potential for viewers to ask themselves what choices they might make in this nightmare situation. The movie may have ended more strongly without the final scene, but there are nuanced aspects to the rest of the narrative that keep it on track. It's not for the faint-hearted, but the movie doesn't linger on the gore as much as it does the shock value, so will likely appeal to most genre fans who can stomach a few extreme moments in exchange for wider ethical themes.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the violence in Would You Rather. Did you think the movie was too violent? How much of the violence and gore did you see on-screen and how much was more about the tension created in the lead-up?
What ethical questions did the movie pose? How did different characters behave during the film? How did people in turn try to sacrifice themselves for others, work together, and protect their own interests?
Discuss the strong language used in the movie. Did it seem necessary, or excessive? What did it contribute to the movie?
How far might you go for someone you love? How might you behave in a similar situation when you're trapped in a game that asks you to choose between yourself and others?
Movie Details
- In theaters : February 8, 2013
- On DVD or streaming : July 9, 2013
- Cast : Brittany Snow , June Squibb , Jeffrey Combs
- Director : David Guy Levy
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : IFC Films
- Genre : Horror
- Run time : 93 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : May 5, 2026
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