The Secret of Moonacre (2009) Parents Guide: Is the movie OK for kids?
Age Rating, Sex, Violence & Language
When 13 year old Maria Merryweather's father dies, leaving her orphaned and homeless, she is forced to leave her luxurious London life to go and live with Sir Benjamin, an eccentric uncle she didn't know she had, at the mysterious Moonacre Manor.
Rated PG • 2009 • 1h 43m
This fantasy adventure, rated PG, follows the orphaned Maria Merryweather as she uncovers a centuries-old curse at the mysterious Moonacre Manor. The film's rating is primarily due to mild fantasy peril, including several chase scenes and characters being held at knifepoint. The most intense moment involves the on-screen death of a beloved animal companion, which may be upsetting for younger or more sensitive viewers. The story also… Sign up for the full guide
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Is The Secret of Moonacre appropriate for kids?
This fantasy adventure, rated PG, follows the orphaned Maria Merryweather as she uncovers a centuries-old curse at the mysterious Moonacre Manor. The film's rating is primarily due to mild fantasy peril, including several chase scenes and characters being held at knifepoint. The… Read more — free account
Content severity in The Secret of Moonacre
What happens in The Secret of Moonacre, moment by moment
- 0:05 🔥 Mature Themes 4/10
- 0:18 ⚔ Violence & Gore 4/10
- 0:26 💬 Language 2/10
Sex and nudity in The Secret of Moonacre
Content is limited to mild romantic elements. An engaged couple is seen kissing passionately in a few flashback scenes. The two teenage leads, Maria and Robin, engage in some light, antagonistic flirtation. Some dresses have slightly low-cut necklines, but there is no nudity or sexual innuendo.
Violence and gore in The Secret of Moonacre
Violence is moderate and well within PG-rated fantasy standards. Characters are pursued through a forest by bandits, and a girl is briefly taken hostage. A man holds a knife to a boy's throat threateningly. A girl pricks a man's hand with a needle in self-defense, and the small cut is briefly shown. The most significant moment is the death of an animal companion who is struck down, which is brief but emotionally impactful, though the animal is later magically revived.
Language in The Secret of Moonacre
Language is very light. There is a single aggressive use of "damned" uttered out of frustration. Other language is limited to mild name-calling like "halfwit" but is infrequent.
Drugs, alcohol, and smoking in The Secret of Moonacre
Substance use is very brief and incidental. Maria's governess, Miss Heliotrope, is shown sneaking a drink from a flask in one scene for comic effect. An adult character is also briefly seen drinking wine at dinner.
Mature themes in The Secret of Moonacre
The film deals with several mature themes. The protagonist, Maria, is a young orphan navigating the grief of her father's recent death. The central plot revolves around the destructive consequences of a generations-long family feud fueled by pride and greed. It also includes themes of self-sacrifice and an emotionally charged scene where a beloved animal protector is killed.
Scary moments in The Secret of Moonacre
No standout scary moments have been catalogued for The Secret of Moonacre yet. Because this title is recommended for younger kids, sign up to get community-flagged jump scares, tense scenes, and startling imagery as parents submit them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Secret of Moonacre appropriate for kids?
Bontent's parent guide suggests The Secret of Moonacre is best for ages 9+. It's rated PG. This fantasy adventure, rated PG, follows the orphaned Maria Merryweather as she uncovers a centuries-old curse at the mysterious Moonacre Manor. The film's rating is primarily due to mild fantasy peril, including…
What age rating does The Secret of Moonacre have?
The Secret of Moonacre is officially rated PG. Bontent's independent parent guide recommends it for ages 9+.
What is The Secret of Moonacre about?
This fantasy adventure, rated PG, follows the orphaned Maria Merryweather as she uncovers a centuries-old curse at the mysterious Moonacre Manor. The film's rating is primarily due to mild fantasy peril, including several chase scenes and characters being held at knifepoint. The most intense moment involves the…
Is there sex or nudity in The Secret of Moonacre?
Content is limited to mild romantic elements. An engaged couple is seen kissing passionately in a few flashback scenes. The two teenage leads, Maria and Robin, engage in some light, antagonistic flirtation. Some dresses have slightly low-cut necklines, but…
How violent is The Secret of Moonacre?
Violence is moderate and well within PG-rated fantasy standards. Characters are pursued through a forest by bandits, and a girl is briefly taken hostage. A man holds a knife to a boy's throat threateningly. A girl pricks a man's hand with a needle in…
Is the language in The Secret of Moonacre appropriate for kids?
Language is very light. There is a single aggressive use of "damned" uttered out of frustration. Other language is limited to mild name-calling like "halfwit" but is infrequent.
Are drugs, alcohol, or smoking shown in The Secret of Moonacre?
Substance use is very brief and incidental. Maria's governess, Miss Heliotrope, is shown sneaking a drink from a flask in one scene for comic effect. An adult character is also briefly seen drinking wine at dinner.
What mature themes appear in The Secret of Moonacre?
The film deals with several mature themes. The protagonist, Maria, is a young orphan navigating the grief of her father's recent death. The central plot revolves around the destructive consequences of a generations-long family feud fueled by pride and greed…
How long is The Secret of Moonacre?
The Secret of Moonacre runs 103 minutes, directed by Gábor Csupó, released in 2009.
Where can I read the full The Secret of Moonacre 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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