An American Haunting (2005) Parents Guide: Is the movie OK for kids?

Name: An American Haunting
Director: Courtney Solomon
Released: 2005
Duration: 83 min
Rating: 5.5

Age Rating, Sex, Violence & Language

An invisible entity haunts a 19th century family, and family secrets soon begin to surface. Based on the true events of the only case in US History where a spirit caused the death of a man.

Rated PG-13 • 2005 • 1h 23m

Directed by Courtney Solomon

5.5

400+

Average rating by Bontent members

Age

13+

An American Haunting (2005) is rated PG-13 mainly for intense supernatural assault sequences and disturbing mature themes. The film contains implied sexual assault by an invisible spirit — including a prolonged scene where a teenage Betsy (Rachel Hurd‑Wood) is held down and subjected to rhythmic, suggestive motion — plus a later revelation that her father sexually abused her as a child. There are multiple scenes of violent, physical… Sign up for the full guide

Cast

Donald Sutherland

Sissy Spacek

Rachel Hurd-Wood

James D'Arcy

Matthew Marsh

Thom Fell

Zoe Thorne

Gaye Brown

Sam Alexander

Miquel Brown

Vernon Dobtcheff

Shauna Shim

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Is An American Haunting appropriate for kids?

Content severity in An American Haunting

Sex Strong 7/10

Violence Strong 7/10

Language Moderate 3/10

Substances Mild 2/10

Themes Intense 8/10

What happens in An American Haunting, moment by moment

0:10 ⚔ Violence & Gore 4/10
0:12 ♥ Sex & Nudity 7/10
0:15 💬 Language 2/10

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Sex and nudity in An American Haunting

Strong and disturbing sexual content is present but not explicitly graphic. IMDb Parents Guide documents a sequence in which Betsy is restrained on a bed while repeated thrusting motions are implied (no explicit nudity), and other scenes strongly imply sexual assault by an invisible force. The story also contains the later, explicit revelation that Betsy was sexually abused by her father years earlier — that historical abuse is handled as a central, serious plot point. There are also brief, non-sexual kisses and a…

Violence and gore in An American Haunting

Moderate-to-strong physical violence is depicted, almost entirely supernatural in origin and non-graphic. Specific on-screen moments include Betsy being thrown around a room, pulled by her hair, slapped, levitated and dragged up stairs while onlookers are knocked down, as well as an attempted suicide (gun fired at empty chamber). There are additional tense sequences — a collapsing carriage, a wolf attack off-screen with gunfire, and repeated scenes of convulsions and thrashing that can be intense. The film relies…

Language in An American Haunting

Mild. Only a few mild obscenities and religious exclamations are reported (examples include blasphemous exclamations). The film does not feature frequent strong profanity.

Drugs, alcohol, and smoking in An American Haunting

Mild. Several scenes show drinking at a party and characters drinking alcohol in social settings; an open bottle of vodka is visible on a desk. A man smokes a pipe and an ill character is given syrup/medicine. Substance use is incidental and not glamorized.

Mature themes in An American Haunting

Strong, mature themes underlie the story: witchcraft accusations, family secrets, repressed memory, child sexual abuse, attempted suicide, and poisoning leading to death. The revelation that Betsy's traumatic experiences stem from her father's abuse is a major, disturbing thematic beat and is central to the film's emotional arc. The film treats grief, the breakdown of a family and moral panic about witchcraft in 19th‑century Tennessee, so expect heavy topics that merit discussion.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is An American Haunting appropriate for kids?

Bontent's parent guide suggests An American Haunting is best for ages 13+. It's rated PG-13. An American Haunting (2005) is rated PG-13 mainly for intense supernatural assault sequences and disturbing mature themes. The film contains implied sexual assault by an invisible spirit — including a prolonged scene…

What age rating does An American Haunting have?

An American Haunting is officially rated PG-13. Bontent's independent parent guide recommends it for ages 13+.

What is An American Haunting about?

Is there sex or nudity in An American Haunting?

How violent is An American Haunting?

Is the language in An American Haunting appropriate for kids?

Mild. Only a few mild obscenities and religious exclamations are reported (examples include blasphemous exclamations). The film does not feature frequent strong profanity.

Are drugs, alcohol, or smoking shown in An American Haunting?

What mature themes appear in An American Haunting?

How long is An American Haunting?

An American Haunting runs 83 minutes, directed by Courtney Solomon, released in 2005.

Where can I read the full An American Haunting parent guide?

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