Dark Water (2005) Parents Guide: Is the movie OK for kids?
Age Rating, Sex, Violence & Language
Dahlia and her five-year-old daughter are ready to begin a new life together. But their new apartment — dilapidated and worn — suddenly seems to take on a life of its own. Mysterious noises, persistent leaks of dark water and other strange happenings send Dahlia on a haunting and mystifying pursuit — one that unleashes a torrent of living nightmares.
Rated PG-13 • 2005 • 1h 45m
Dark Water is a slow-building PG-13 supernatural thriller about single mother Dahlia (Jennifer Connelly) and her five-year-old daughter Ceci moving into a run-down Roosevelt Island apartment. Parents should be aware that the film's PG-13 rating stems from repeated water-based terror — several scenes imply or show a child drowning, the discovery of a drowned girl, and an on-screen drowning of an adult — plus some strong language and… Sign up for the full guide
Cast
Is Dark Water appropriate for kids?
Dark Water is a slow-building PG-13 supernatural thriller about single mother Dahlia (Jennifer Connelly) and her five-year-old daughter Ceci moving into a run-down Roosevelt Island apartment. Parents should be aware that the film's PG-13 rating stems from repeated water-based… Read more — free account
Content severity in Dark Water
What happens in Dark Water, moment by moment
- 0:08 🔥 Mature Themes 4/10
- 0:16 🔥 Mature Themes 5/10
- 0:24 ⚔ Violence & Gore 3/10
Sex and nudity in Dark Water
None. IMDb Parents Guide and other notes report no sexual content or nudity; there is a non-sexual mother–daughter bath briefly shown with bubbles obscuring sensitive areas.
Violence and gore in Dark Water
Strong, non-graphic physical peril focused on water and drowning: a child briefly loses consciousness when dark water gushes in the bathroom, a girl's drowned body is discovered in a water tank, and the climax includes a violent drowning of the mother and an attempted drowning of the child. The film is not gory, but these scenes are tense and emotionally disturbing; multiple instances involve risk or death of a child which may upset viewers.
Language in Dark Water
Occasional strong profanity and several milder swear words are used; IMDb's Parents Guide notes a few uses of 'fuck' and 'shit' alongside words like 'bitch' and 'ass.' Language is sparse but includes a couple of explicit words in tense scenes.
Drugs, alcohol, and smoking in Dark Water
Mild and background: a few characters are seen drinking alcohol, there are brief references to smoking/cannabis and prescription medication, but substance use is not glamorized or central to the plot.
Mature themes in Dark Water
Strong themes: divorce and custody conflict, child neglect and abuse by omission, death and grief, and the psychological toll of single parenting. The neglect that led to Natasha's drowning and the emotional fallout for Dahlia and Ceci are central to the story and underpin the supernatural events.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Dark Water appropriate for kids?
Bontent's parent guide suggests Dark Water is best for ages 13+. It's rated PG-13. Dark Water is a slow-building PG-13 supernatural thriller about single mother Dahlia (Jennifer Connelly) and her five-year-old daughter Ceci moving into a run-down Roosevelt Island apartment. Parents should be aware…
What age rating does Dark Water have?
Dark Water is officially rated PG-13. Bontent's independent parent guide recommends it for ages 13+.
What is Dark Water about?
Dark Water is a slow-building PG-13 supernatural thriller about single mother Dahlia (Jennifer Connelly) and her five-year-old daughter Ceci moving into a run-down Roosevelt Island apartment. Parents should be aware that the film's PG-13 rating stems from repeated water-based terror — several scenes imply or show a…
Is there sex or nudity in Dark Water?
None. IMDb Parents Guide and other notes report no sexual content or nudity; there is a non-sexual mother–daughter bath briefly shown with bubbles obscuring sensitive areas.
How violent is Dark Water?
Strong, non-graphic physical peril focused on water and drowning: a child briefly loses consciousness when dark water gushes in the bathroom, a girl's drowned body is discovered in a water tank, and the climax includes a violent drowning of the mother and an…
Is the language in Dark Water appropriate for kids?
Occasional strong profanity and several milder swear words are used; IMDb's Parents Guide notes a few uses of 'fuck' and 'shit' alongside words like 'bitch' and 'ass.' Language is sparse but includes a couple of explicit words in tense scenes.
Are drugs, alcohol, or smoking shown in Dark Water?
Mild and background: a few characters are seen drinking alcohol, there are brief references to smoking/cannabis and prescription medication, but substance use is not glamorized or central to the plot.
What mature themes appear in Dark Water?
Strong themes: divorce and custody conflict, child neglect and abuse by omission, death and grief, and the psychological toll of single parenting. The neglect that led to Natasha's drowning and the emotional fallout for Dahlia and Ceci are central to the…
How long is Dark Water?
Dark Water runs 105 minutes, directed by Walter Salles, released in 2005.
Where can I read the full Dark Water parent guide?
Create a free Bontent account to unlock the full scene-by-scene notes, filter by your kids' ages, and save titles to your personal watchlist.
Parents also checked these movies for 13-year-olds
Sign up to filter
Movies like Dark Water with similar intensity
Sign up to filter
Less intense movies for families
Sign up to filter
More horror movies with parent guides
More movies with Bontent parent guides
- To the Wonder parent guide
- Sibyl parent guide
- An American Pickle parent guide
- Science Fiction Volume One: The Osiris Child parent guide
- Grand Piano parent guide
- Boiling Point parent guide
- Killing Season parent guide
- Planet Hulk parent guide
- Ophelia parent guide
- Full Speed parent guide
- Marvel One-Shot: All Hail the King parent guide
- A Christmas Prince: The Royal Baby parent guide
- Barbie Presents: Thumbelina parent guide
- Marvel One-Shot: The Consultant parent guide
- Mr. Church parent guide
- Barbie: The Princess & the Popstar parent guide