Don't Be Afraid of the Dark (2010) Parents Guide: Is the movie OK for kids?
Age Rating, Sex, Violence & Language
A young girl sent to live with her father and his new girlfriend discovers creatures in her new home who want to claim her as one of their own.
Rated R • 2010 • 1h 39m
Don't Be Afraid of the Dark is a supernatural horror film that follows young Sally Hurst as she moves into a secluded Rhode Island mansion and unwittingly awakens malevolent, tooth-stealing creatures. The film carries an R rating primarily for its intense, sustained terror and graphic sequences of violence, including physical bodily harm. Parents should be aware that the creatures are relentless and menacing, specifically targeting… Sign up for the full guide
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Is Don't Be Afraid of the Dark appropriate for kids?
Don't Be Afraid of the Dark is a supernatural horror film that follows young Sally Hurst as she moves into a secluded Rhode Island mansion and unwittingly awakens malevolent, tooth-stealing creatures. The film carries an R rating primarily for its intense, sustained terror and… Read more — free account
Content severity in Don't Be Afraid of the Dark
What happens in Don't Be Afraid of the Dark, moment by moment
- 0:05 ⚔ Violence & Gore 8/10
- 0:12 ⚔ Violence & Gore 7/10
- 0:18 🍷 Substances 2/10
Sex and nudity in Don't Be Afraid of the Dark
There is no sexual content in this film beyond a fleeting, non-explicit kiss between two adult characters.
Violence and gore in Don't Be Afraid of the Dark
The violence is strong and visceral. Scenes include a character bludgeoning someone to death with a hammer, a man forcing a chisel into a mouth to remove teeth, and creatures swarming victims, impaling them with sharp tools. Characters suffer broken limbs and sustained, painful injuries from the small but lethal monsters.
Language in Don't Be Afraid of the Dark
Language is minimal to non-existent; no strong profanity is present in the film.
Drugs, alcohol, and smoking in Don't Be Afraid of the Dark
Substance use is light. A main character is depicted taking medication (Adderall) as part of her character development, and there are passing references to alcohol usage.
Mature themes in Don't Be Afraid of the Dark
Mature and distressing themes include child abuse, parental abandonment, and a child being hunted and physically terrorized by creatures. The film deals with the trauma of a broken home and the transformation of humans into monsters.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Don't Be Afraid of the Dark appropriate for kids?
Bontent's parent guide suggests Don't Be Afraid of the Dark is best for ages 17+. It's rated R. Don't Be Afraid of the Dark is a supernatural horror film that follows young Sally Hurst as she moves into a secluded Rhode Island mansion and unwittingly awakens malevolent, tooth-stealing creatures. The film carries…
What age rating does Don't Be Afraid of the Dark have?
Don't Be Afraid of the Dark is officially rated R. Bontent's independent parent guide recommends it for ages 17+.
What is Don't Be Afraid of the Dark about?
Don't Be Afraid of the Dark is a supernatural horror film that follows young Sally Hurst as she moves into a secluded Rhode Island mansion and unwittingly awakens malevolent, tooth-stealing creatures. The film carries an R rating primarily for its intense, sustained terror and graphic sequences of violence, including…
Is there sex or nudity in Don't Be Afraid of the Dark?
There is no sexual content in this film beyond a fleeting, non-explicit kiss between two adult characters.
How violent is Don't Be Afraid of the Dark?
The violence is strong and visceral. Scenes include a character bludgeoning someone to death with a hammer, a man forcing a chisel into a mouth to remove teeth, and creatures swarming victims, impaling them with sharp tools. Characters suffer broken limbs and…
Is the language in Don't Be Afraid of the Dark appropriate for kids?
Language is minimal to non-existent; no strong profanity is present in the film.
Are drugs, alcohol, or smoking shown in Don't Be Afraid of the Dark?
Substance use is light. A main character is depicted taking medication (Adderall) as part of her character development, and there are passing references to alcohol usage.
What mature themes appear in Don't Be Afraid of the Dark?
Mature and distressing themes include child abuse, parental abandonment, and a child being hunted and physically terrorized by creatures. The film deals with the trauma of a broken home and the transformation of humans into monsters.
How long is Don't Be Afraid of the Dark?
Don't Be Afraid of the Dark runs 99 minutes, directed by Troy Nixey, released in 2010.
Where can I read the full Don't Be Afraid of the Dark 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.
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