Anyone see the movie "The Conjuring?" How bad/scary is it? My almost 14-year-old wants to see it with friends. It is rated R for "terror and violence." The online reviews are mixed. Some say it freaked them out and others say they don't understand why it is rated R. No, or very limited, sexual references and profanity so it is the horror that got it the rating. It is compared to "Amityville Horror," which I never saw so that means nothing to me. Let me know if you have personal experience with it. I just don't want him freaked out and unable to sleep tonight. But it is an opportunity to spend some time with kids he met at a theater camp, which is the only reason I'm even considering it. I did try to talk them into another movie, but their PG-13 alternative isn't showing at a time or location that works for the group.
ETA: Me seeing it, either with him or as a preview, is NOT an option, unfortunately. I don't do horror. Plus, my mom died in October so even if I did see horror this wouldn't be a good movie (the paranormal) or good timing for me.
It was a matinee this afternoon. I didn't let him go and he was very mad at me. Ah, the joys of parenting sometimes.
He seemed to have forgiven me and then he heard from one of the kids who saw the movie and said, "It was not scary at all and we made fun of it the whole time." I told him I didn't believe it. He got mad all over again.
FYI, I have learned to use the ratings as guidelines and not absolutes. For example, "Juno" (from several years ago and about teen pregnancy) was rated PG-13 and there was NO WAY I would have taken one of my 13-year-olds to see it. "The King's Speech," from a couple of years ago, was rated R for the "f-word" and I would've readily have taken a 13-year-old to see that if interested.
Yea! A small parenting victory! My son just thanked me for not letting him see the movie. He got a text message this morning from one of the girls who saw the movie yesterday. She was so terrified she couldn't sleep last night.
My wife and I have seen it. It was scary to us mainly because it was a true story. My wife's 13 yr old came home from his dad's this morning and said he dad was going to take him to see it. This boy is scared of his own shadow, guess what, he isn't going to see that movie.
Strangely, none of the theaters in my city are playing it. Which is annoying, because my husband and I want to see it!
The critical reviews are excellent. Common sense media recommends it for age 16 and up. http://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews/the-conjuring
This is my feelings about these issues...once you see it, you can't take it back. Meaning, if it DOES scare him, he will remember it forever! When I was young, I happened to walk through the living room to get a drink of water after going to bed and my mom was watching The Exorcist. It was during the part where her head was spinning. I.freaked.out. I have NEVER forgot that. So I don't really have advice for you. I mean, if he has already seen scary stuff and isn't affected by it, then I *guess* he could handle it. I just don't know. Those scenes affect me so I personally don't want my kids with those thoughts until they are WAY older, if even then. Good luck on what you decide.
Personally, I'd say no. I have adult friends who saw it and were very disturbed.
I would say no at his age. My neighbor and her boyfriend took her 15 year old daughter and her friend age 13 to go see it. They asked my son (13) but I said no. They were all extremely scared and had nightmares that night. I just don't think it is appropriate for anyone under at least 16 if not 18. JMO
IMO i would not let your son see this movie. It is based on a true story and i am afraid it would give him night terrors for a long time. My DH and I are going to see it tomorrow (i love horror) and I am sure it will freak me out but that is the side of my "thrill seeking" life I live! Good luck!
Absolutely NOT. Rated R for a reason; so that you as a parent can rely on that rating as actually having some credence.
Say "not tonight", and go see it yourself first. That's my advice. Give yourself a chance to see it, and then you can probably at least judge how your son would respond (you're not responsible for his friends as long as their parents know that their children are going to see it).
ETA: I won't be seeing it myself because when I watched the preview on my phone, I jumped so much that I dropped my phone. Maybe I can see it when I'm older. ;-)
By teaching him that it doesn't matter if a movie is rated "R" or not, he can still go, doesn't help him learn that rules are there for a reason and he can't just not listen to them.
We don't even watch those commercials, they freak the kids out. I would not take a kid to see a movie like that. He'll have those images in his mind the rest of his life. I'd tell him the movie is rated "R" for a reason and he's not 16 yet.
I haven't seen it, but I read that they posted the following warning sign outside the theater at the Chicago screening:
"Warning: The film you are about to see is psychologically and emotionally disturbing. People who have attended early screenings of the film have complained about many unusual circumstances that they have experienced after seeing the film. Due to our concern for your well-being, we have invited Father Malave to be here. He will be available after the film to provide spiritual support and/or conduct a personal blessing should you feel the need. Please do not hesitate to seek help. Ask a representative where you can sign up for a session with our priest."
From :
http://www.dreadcentral.com/news/68210/chicago-screening-...
I know, it might all be part of a publicity stunt, but still, if it were me, I wouldn't allow any one in my family to see that movie.
Rated R means that parental supervision into the theater is required (not optional) for children under 17. Don't be surprised if he and his friends are stopped at the ticket counter.
No, you don't let him see it without there being a parent present. That's why it's R-Rated.
It's "based on" a true story, but a family that currently lives in that house now says that the claims made in the movie are laughable. The movie itself is a fantasy, and if anything happened at all in that house to the family it's about then the movie is exaggerating excessively. It's supposed to be extremely disturbing if you're sensitive to these types of movies. Your son probably just wants the street cred. :-) Let him be mad. He'll get over it.
My almost 14 year old likes scary movies. We do not allow anything rated R, but sadly most of her friends' parents aren't checking their kids movie ratings during sleepovers, or don't care. She has seen some rated R horrors I wish she had not seen. But she hasn't reported being disturbed. So when she asked to see the PG 13 exorcism part 2, we said OK. And then she found it too upsetting to finishing watching the DVD. At least she just stopped it and watched some TV instead. So I'm still not a fan of allowing rated R for young teens.
When I was younger and there was a movie I wanted to see that was rated PG-13 or R my parents went and saw it first.
So, if you have the means I would suggest you seeing it first and deciding if it is appropriate for your kids.
L.
