Hush (1998) Parents Guide: Is the movie OK for kids?
Age Rating, Sex, Violence & Language
Jackson and Helen are in love and about to have their first child when they move in with Jackson's mother, Martha, in order to take care of the family estate. But all is not well in this household. Martha is jealous of her son's affection for Helen, and, despite her Southern smile, she's starting to act strangely. As Helen tries to create a happy home life, Martha attempts to divide the family so that Jackson will become hers alone.
Rated PG-13 • 1998 • 1h 35m
The PG-13 rating for 'Hush' is primarily for its intense psychological themes, a scene of violence, sensuality, and brief strong language. The film follows Helen as her life is systematically dismantled by her dangerously manipulative mother-in-law, Martha, at the family's Kentucky farm. Parents should be aware of mature themes including gaslighting, familial abuse, and a forced childbirth scene where a character is drugged and denied… Sign up for the full guide
Cast
Is Hush appropriate for kids?
The PG-13 rating for 'Hush' is primarily for its intense psychological themes, a scene of violence, sensuality, and brief strong language. The film follows Helen as her life is systematically dismantled by her dangerously manipulative mother-in-law, Martha, at the family's… Read more — free account
Content severity in Hush
What happens in Hush, moment by moment
- 0:04 ♥ Sex & Nudity 3/10
- 0:07 🔥 Mature Themes 3/10
- 0:26 ⚔ Violence & Gore 7/10
Sex and nudity in Hush
This category is mild. In one early scene, there is a very brief glimpse of a woman's bare backside and the side of her breast as she gets into bed. A married couple is shown kissing passionately and beginning to undress, with sex implied but not shown. A home intruder makes threatening sexual advances to a pregnant woman, which is part of a violent, frightening assault.
Violence and gore in Hush
The film contains some moderate, impactful violence. In one key scene, a pregnant woman is assaulted by a home intruder who cuts her abdomen with a knife, showing a bloody wound. A character has dead and bloody rats fall on her. A medically realistic childbirth scene is shown in a tense context, with significant blood on bedding and the newborn. A character is slapped hard across the face, and another character's long-past death by falling onto a tool is a central plot point.
Language in Hush
Language is moderate, earning the PG-13 rating with a single use of the 'f-word'. Other language includes several uses of "s--t," "damn," "hell," "ass," and various exclamations using "God" and "Christ."
Drugs, alcohol, and smoking in Hush
Substance use is not recreational but is used as a weapon, making it thematically significant. A character knowingly bakes a cake with a labor-inducing drug (pitocin) to harm another. In another scene, a character attempts to inject another with a syringe of morphine against their will. Social drinking of wine and other alcoholic beverages occurs in passing.
Mature themes in Hush
The film is built on strong, mature themes of psychological abuse and manipulation. Martha's character exhibits traits of a severe personality disorder, gaslighting her son and daughter-in-law, isolating Helen, and attempting to steal her baby. It deals with repressed family trauma, murder, elaborate deception, and the violation of bodily autonomy during a non-consensual, medically unassisted childbirth. These themes are intense and pervasive throughout the latter half of the film.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hush appropriate for kids?
Bontent's parent guide suggests Hush is best for ages 13+. It's rated PG-13. The PG-13 rating for 'Hush' is primarily for its intense psychological themes, a scene of violence, sensuality, and brief strong language. The film follows Helen as her life is systematically dismantled by her…
What age rating does Hush have?
Hush is officially rated PG-13. Bontent's independent parent guide recommends it for ages 13+.
What is Hush about?
The PG-13 rating for 'Hush' is primarily for its intense psychological themes, a scene of violence, sensuality, and brief strong language. The film follows Helen as her life is systematically dismantled by her dangerously manipulative mother-in-law, Martha, at the family's Kentucky farm. Parents should be aware of…
Is there sex or nudity in Hush?
This category is mild. In one early scene, there is a very brief glimpse of a woman's bare backside and the side of her breast as she gets into bed. A married couple is shown kissing passionately and beginning to undress, with sex implied but not shown. A…
How violent is Hush?
The film contains some moderate, impactful violence. In one key scene, a pregnant woman is assaulted by a home intruder who cuts her abdomen with a knife, showing a bloody wound. A character has dead and bloody rats fall on her. A medically realistic…
Is the language in Hush appropriate for kids?
Language is moderate, earning the PG-13 rating with a single use of the 'f-word'. Other language includes several uses of "s--t," "damn," "hell," "ass," and various exclamations using "God" and "Christ."
Are drugs, alcohol, or smoking shown in Hush?
Substance use is not recreational but is used as a weapon, making it thematically significant. A character knowingly bakes a cake with a labor-inducing drug (pitocin) to harm another. In another scene, a character attempts to inject another with a syringe of…
What mature themes appear in Hush?
The film is built on strong, mature themes of psychological abuse and manipulation. Martha's character exhibits traits of a severe personality disorder, gaslighting her son and daughter-in-law, isolating Helen, and attempting to steal her baby. It deals with…
How long is Hush?
Hush runs 95 minutes, directed by Jonathan Darby, released in 1998.
Where can I read the full Hush parent guide?
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