Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark (2019) Parents Guide: Is the movie OK for kids?
Age Rating, Sex, Violence & Language
Mill Valley, Pennsylvania, Halloween night, 1968. After playing a joke on a school bully, Stella and her friends decide to sneak into a supposedly haunted house that once belonged to the powerful Bellows family, unleashing dark forces that they will be unable to control.
Rated PG-13 • 2019 • 1h 48m
Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark follows a group of teenagers in 1968 who discover a supernatural book that manifests their worst fears into reality. The film relies heavily on jump scares, creature-based body horror, and themes of societal corruption to drive its PG-13 rating. Parents should be aware of several intense, disturbing sequences involving dismemberment and physical transformation that may be too frightening for younger… Sign up for the full guide
Cast
Is Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark appropriate for kids?
Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark follows a group of teenagers in 1968 who discover a supernatural book that manifests their worst fears into reality. The film relies heavily on jump scares, creature-based body horror, and themes of societal corruption to drive its PG-13 rating… Read more — free account
Content severity in Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark
What happens in Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, moment by moment
- 0:12 ♥ Sex & Nudity 2/10
- 0:15 ♥ Sex & Nudity 2/10
- 0:25 ⚔ Violence & Gore 5/10
Sex and nudity in Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark
There are brief, non-graphic sexual references including a character joking about not having had sex yet and a fleeting shot of a woman in lingerie on a pen.
Violence and gore in Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark
Violence is moderate and focuses on supernatural creatures. Specific instances include a character being stabbed by a scarecrow with a pitchfork (no blood, but hay extrudes from orifices) and a girl whose spider bite bursts into insects.
Language in Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark
Language is mild, consisting primarily of infrequent uses of 'shit' and 'ass', along with a singular instance of a racial slur written on a car.
Drugs, alcohol, and smoking in Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark
None. While some characters are implied to be intoxicated, no actual substance consumption is shown on-screen.
Mature themes in Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark
The film explores dark, mature themes including suicide, systemic racism, the trauma of war, and the institutional abuse of mental health patients in the 1960s.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark appropriate for kids?
Bontent's parent guide suggests Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark is best for ages 13+. It's rated PG-13. Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark follows a group of teenagers in 1968 who discover a supernatural book that manifests their worst fears into reality. The film relies heavily on jump scares, creature-based body horror…
What age rating does Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark have?
Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark is officially rated PG-13. Bontent's independent parent guide recommends it for ages 13+.
What is Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark about?
Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark follows a group of teenagers in 1968 who discover a supernatural book that manifests their worst fears into reality. The film relies heavily on jump scares, creature-based body horror, and themes of societal corruption to drive its PG-13 rating. Parents should be aware of several…
Is there sex or nudity in Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark?
There are brief, non-graphic sexual references including a character joking about not having had sex yet and a fleeting shot of a woman in lingerie on a pen.
How violent is Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark?
Violence is moderate and focuses on supernatural creatures. Specific instances include a character being stabbed by a scarecrow with a pitchfork (no blood, but hay extrudes from orifices) and a girl whose spider bite bursts into insects.
Is the language in Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark appropriate for kids?
Language is mild, consisting primarily of infrequent uses of 'shit' and 'ass', along with a singular instance of a racial slur written on a car.
Are drugs, alcohol, or smoking shown in Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark?
None. While some characters are implied to be intoxicated, no actual substance consumption is shown on-screen.
What mature themes appear in Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark?
The film explores dark, mature themes including suicide, systemic racism, the trauma of war, and the institutional abuse of mental health patients in the 1960s.
How long is Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark?
Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark runs 108 minutes, directed by André Øvredal, released in 2019.
Where can I read the full Scary Stories to Tell in 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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