Straw Dogs

Release Date: 16 September 2011

Because we only review G, PG, and PG-13 movies at Parent Previews we did not review this title. For your convenience, we have provided some brief information about the film’s synopsis and content.

Synopsis:

When David and Amy Sumner (James Marsden, Kate Bosworth) travel from L.A. to Amy’s former hometown in the southern United States, the couple discovers some of the locals are anything but welcoming—especially Amy’s violently jealous ex-boyfriend (Alexander Skarsgård).

This is a remake of the 1971 movie, also called Straw Dogs.

This additional information about the movie’s content is taken from the notes of various Canadian Film Classification boards:

Violence:

- Frequent and prolonged portrayals of graphic violence.

- Violent acts shown in clear and realistic with detailed blood and tissue damage.

- Gory and grotesque images.

- Portrayals of suffering under duress.

- Depictions of fighting, beating, shooting, stabbing and mutilation.


- Scene depicting automobile accident.

- Portrayals of sexual assault with brief buttock nudity and some detail.

- Frequent disturbing scenes.

- Some scenes may frighten children.

Sexual Content:

- Brief buttock nudity is seen during portrayals of sexual assault.

- Implied sexual activity.

- Simulated sexual activity.

- Fondling.

- Embracing and kissing.

- Sexual references and innuendo.

Language:

- Pervasive use of the sexual expletive and variations in sexual and non-sexual contexts.

- Frequent use of scatological slang, profanity and cursing.

- Infrequent use of developmental slurs.

Drugs and Alcohol:

- Tobacco use

- Some substance abuse.

On September 27, 2011, The Ontario Film Review Board reconsidered the rating it had previously given Straw Dogs.

Previously rated: Rated 14A - Coarse Language, Sexual Content, Graphic Violence.

Classification Changed to: 18A - Coarse Language, Sexual Content, Graphic Violence.

Classifiers Noted:

- Occasional gory/grotesque images

- Coarse language

- Slurs

- Sexual references

- Scenes that may cause a child brief anxiety, or fear

- Embracing and kissing

- Mild sexual innuendo

- Fondling

- Implied sexual activity

- Tobacco use

- Violent acts shown in clear, unequivocal and realistic detail with blood and tissue damage

- Limited instances of brief, visually explicit portrayals of violence

A terrible neighbor destroys the peace of a husband and wife who buy a house on Lakeview Terrace. James Marsden and Kate Bosworth also appear together as a couple in the movie Superman Returns.