Lady in the Water (2006) Parents Guide: Is the movie OK for kids?

Name: Lady in the Water
Director: M. Night Shyamalan
Released: 2006
Duration: 110 min
Rating: 5.6

Age Rating, Sex, Violence & Language

Apartment building superintendent Cleveland Heep rescues what he thinks is a young woman from the pool he maintains. When he discovers that she is actually a character from a bedtime story who is trying to make the journey back to her home, he works with his tenants to protect his new friend from the creatures that are determined to keep her in our world.

Rated PG-13 • 2006 • 1h 50m

Directed by M. Night Shyamalan

5.6

1K+

Average rating by Bontent members

Age

13+

M. Night Shyamalan's 'Lady in the Water' earns its PG-13 rating primarily for frightening sequences involving menacing fantasy creatures. The film centers on a building superintendent, Cleveland Heep, who discovers a fairy-tale creature named Story in the swimming pool. Parents should be aware of several intense monster attacks that result in character injury and death, though without graphic gore. Thematic content is also significant… Sign up for the full guide

Cast

Paul Giamatti

Bryce Dallas Howard

Jeffrey Wright

Bob Balaban

Sarita Choudhury

Cindy Cheung

M. Night Shyamalan

Freddy Rodríguez

Bill Irwin

Mary Beth Hurt

Noah Gray-Cabey

Joseph D. Reitman

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Is Lady in the Water appropriate for kids?

Content severity in Lady in the Water

Sex Mild 2/10

Violence Strong 7/10

Language Moderate 3/10

Substances Mild 2/10

Themes Strong 7/10

What happens in Lady in the Water, moment by moment

0:05 ♥ Sex & Nudity 2/10
0:12 ⚔ Violence & Gore 6/10
0:18 ⚔ Violence & Gore 4/10

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Sex and nudity in Lady in the Water

Very light and non-sexualized. The character Story is seen wrapped in a shower curtain or towels for much of the film, implying nudity underneath, but nothing explicit is ever shown. One scene features a character in a bikini by the pool. A brief, mild joke implies two characters may have had sex, but it is not elaborated upon.

Violence and gore in Lady in the Water

Moderate, consisting mainly of creature-based scares and attacks. A wolf-like creature called a Scrunt stalks the characters, leading to several intense confrontations. A character is attacked and killed (we see them dragged down), and Story is mauled and left with bloody scratches. Another scene shows other creatures brutally attacking the Scrunt. A man also hits his head and falls unconscious into the pool. The violence is largely free of explicit gore but contains significant peril and intensity.

Language in Lady in the Water

Mild. The profanity is infrequent and not strong, consisting of occasional uses of words like "damn" and "hell."

Drugs, alcohol, and smoking in Lady in the Water

Mild. Several tenants are frequently seen smoking cigarettes, and are referred to as "the smokers." There is also a passing reference to marijuana. Social drinking is briefly depicted.

Mature themes in Lady in the Water

Thematic content is strong and mature. The main character, Cleveland, is deeply grieving the murder of his wife and children, a backstory that is central to the plot. Themes of destiny, self-sacrifice, and finding purpose are prominent. A character is told he will write a book that inspires the world but will be assassinated for his controversial ideas. The overall tone is somber and deals with significant emotional trauma.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Lady in the Water appropriate for kids?

Bontent's parent guide suggests Lady in the Water is best for ages 13+. It's rated PG-13. M. Night Shyamalan's 'Lady in the Water' earns its PG-13 rating primarily for frightening sequences involving menacing fantasy creatures. The film centers on a building superintendent, Cleveland Heep, who discovers a…

What age rating does Lady in the Water have?

Lady in the Water is officially rated PG-13. Bontent's independent parent guide recommends it for ages 13+.

What is Lady in the Water about?

Is there sex or nudity in Lady in the Water?

How violent is Lady in the Water?

Is the language in Lady in the Water appropriate for kids?

Mild. The profanity is infrequent and not strong, consisting of occasional uses of words like "damn" and "hell."

Are drugs, alcohol, or smoking shown in Lady in the Water?

Mild. Several tenants are frequently seen smoking cigarettes, and are referred to as "the smokers." There is also a passing reference to marijuana. Social drinking is briefly depicted.

What mature themes appear in Lady in the Water?

How long is Lady in the Water?

Lady in the Water runs 110 minutes, directed by M. Night Shyamalan, released in 2006.

Where can I read the full Lady in the Water parent guide?

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