The Stepfather (2009) Parents Guide: Is the movie OK for kids?
Age Rating, Sex, Violence & Language
Michael Harding returns home from military school to find his mother happily in love and living with her new boyfriend, David. As the two men get to know each other, Michael becomes more and more suspicious of the man who is always there with a helpful hand. Is he really the man of her dreams or could David be hiding a dark side?
Rated PG-13 • 2009 • 1h 41m
This 2009 remake of 'The Stepfather' earns its PG-13 rating for intense thriller violence, mature themes, and sustained psychological tension. The plot follows teenager Michael Harding, who grows suspicious of his mother's new fiancé, David, a man who is secretly a serial killer. The film contains several on-screen, albeit not overly graphic, murders including smothering, drowning, and bludgeoning. Due to the intense and pervasive… Sign up for the full guide
Cast
Is The Stepfather appropriate for kids?
This 2009 remake of 'The Stepfather' earns its PG-13 rating for intense thriller violence, mature themes, and sustained psychological tension. The plot follows teenager Michael Harding, who grows suspicious of his mother's new fiancé, David, a man who is secretly a serial… Read more — free account
Content severity in The Stepfather
What happens in The Stepfather, moment by moment
- 0:02 ⚔ Violence & Gore 7/10
- 0:10 🔥 Mature Themes 5/10
- 0:21 🍷 Substances 3/10
Sex and nudity in The Stepfather
This category is very mild. In one scene, a teenage couple kisses in bed, and the boy kisses the girl's stomach before they are interrupted. In another brief scene, a character is shown wearing a bikini by a pool. There is some kissing between the mother and her fiancé, but no nudity or explicit sexual content.
Violence and gore in The Stepfather
Violence is moderate to strong and frequent, though not graphically gory. The film opens with the aftermath of a family being murdered. Throughout the movie, the main antagonist kills multiple people via smothering, drowning, and bludgeoning with a vase. A character is punched unconscious, another is stabbed in the neck with a mirror shard (with some blood), and a major fight culminates in two characters falling off a roof.
Language in The Stepfather
Language is relatively mild for a PG-13 film. The screenplay includes several uses of "shit" and "hell." The term "Goddamn" is used multiple times. There are no uses of the 'f-word.'
Drugs, alcohol, and smoking in The Stepfather
Substance use is present but minor. Adult characters drink wine and cocktails in social settings and at dinner. In one scene, the stepfather and the teen protagonist share shots of tequila. A character also takes half of a prescription sleeping pill.
Mature themes in The Stepfather
The film is built on strong and mature thematic material. The central theme is the infiltration of a family unit by a remorseless serial killer who preys on single mothers. This involves profound deception, manipulation, and psychopathy. The plot revolves around murder, the discovery of a family member's corpse, and the terror of realizing a loved one is a killer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Stepfather appropriate for kids?
Bontent's parent guide suggests The Stepfather is best for ages 13+. It's rated PG-13. This 2009 remake of 'The Stepfather' earns its PG-13 rating for intense thriller violence, mature themes, and sustained psychological tension. The plot follows teenager Michael Harding, who grows suspicious of his…
What age rating does The Stepfather have?
The Stepfather is officially rated PG-13. Bontent's independent parent guide recommends it for ages 13+.
What is The Stepfather about?
This 2009 remake of 'The Stepfather' earns its PG-13 rating for intense thriller violence, mature themes, and sustained psychological tension. The plot follows teenager Michael Harding, who grows suspicious of his mother's new fiancé, David, a man who is secretly a serial killer. The film contains several on-screen…
Is there sex or nudity in The Stepfather?
This category is very mild. In one scene, a teenage couple kisses in bed, and the boy kisses the girl's stomach before they are interrupted. In another brief scene, a character is shown wearing a bikini by a pool. There is some kissing between the mother and…
How violent is The Stepfather?
Violence is moderate to strong and frequent, though not graphically gory. The film opens with the aftermath of a family being murdered. Throughout the movie, the main antagonist kills multiple people via smothering, drowning, and bludgeoning with a vase. A…
Is the language in The Stepfather appropriate for kids?
Language is relatively mild for a PG-13 film. The screenplay includes several uses of "shit" and "hell." The term "Goddamn" is used multiple times. There are no uses of the 'f-word.'
Are drugs, alcohol, or smoking shown in The Stepfather?
Substance use is present but minor. Adult characters drink wine and cocktails in social settings and at dinner. In one scene, the stepfather and the teen protagonist share shots of tequila. A character also takes half of a prescription sleeping pill.
What mature themes appear in The Stepfather?
The film is built on strong and mature thematic material. The central theme is the infiltration of a family unit by a remorseless serial killer who preys on single mothers. This involves profound deception, manipulation, and psychopathy. The plot revolves…
How long is The Stepfather?
The Stepfather runs 101 minutes, directed by Nelson McCormick, released in 2009.
Where can I read the full The Stepfather parent guide?
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