Fear of Rain Parent Guide
This is a surprisingly sincere film about schizophrenia that manages not to sensationalize the condition.
Parent Movie Review
Rain (Madison Iseman) is having a terrible day – chased through a cemetery by a masked maniac, hunted around a clearing, and ultimately buried alive. It would be terrible if it were real, that is, but Rain is schizophrenic and until she gets back on her medication, she can’t distinguish between reality and hallucinations. Her mother (Katherine Heigl) and father (Harry Connick Jr.) are obviously concerned, more so when they’re informed by hospital staff that if Rain keeps going off her meds, she’s likely to be committed involuntarily to a psychiatric institution. But even now that she’s taking her medication regularly, things are difficult. Rain isn’t always sure what’s real – like Caleb, the cute boy in her class who’s started talking to her. Or the little girl she keeps seeing screaming for help from her neighbor’s attic window… but who would ever believe that?
Horror/thriller movies with anything under an “R” rating have a weird and inconsistent range of content concerns. This one is limited mostly to profanity, with a handful of muttered expletives and some well-motivated cursing. There is remarkably little violence for a film in this genre, but that’s not to say there isn’t any – most notably, a brief depiction of a suicide. Thankfully, many of these things aren’t “real” within the film, but younger viewers or more sensitive audiences may want to give this one a miss.
But they would be missing out on a surprisingly sincere film. Rain’s parents are clearly focused and concerned, which is all well and good, but more importantly, Madison Iseman highlights the very human side of the character. Rain isn’t just a vehicle for a mental illness – she’s a person with complex needs and desires, and Iseman’s performance is an important part of that. It isn’t exactly Oscar-bait, but Rain’s personality is one of the linchpins of the film. Without that, a lot of things start falling apart.
Have you ever noticed that movies seem to come in pairs? If you have, I expect this review is ringing a few bells. Although these films have their differences, this ought to sound more than a little like Words on Bathroom Walls, which was released last December. I’m always torn with films about schizophrenia. Is it a good thing to have more accurate or, at least, more sympathetic portrayals of a real and difficult mental illness? Or are these films in some sense exploitative of a sensationalized condition? With something as over-the-top as Split, that’s an easy answer; with films like this, it’s more complicated. I think, on balance, this is more of a good thing than bad: Simply put, I think anything that helps an uneducated public understand a stigmatized condition and relate to those who deal with it is a good thing.
Directed by Castille Landon. Starring Katherine Heigl, Madison Iseman, and Harry Connick Jr.. Running time: 104 minutes. Theatrical release February 12, 2021. Updated October 2, 2021Watch the trailer for Fear of Rain
Fear of Rain
Rating & Content Info
Why is Fear of Rain rated PG-13? Fear of Rain is rated PG-13 by the MPAA for mature thematic content, violence/terror, disturbing images and some strong language.
Violence: Not everything seen is “real”, but images include an individual being buried alive, characters being scratched with fingernails, wounds covered in maggots, blood pouring from objects, and a depiction of suicide by hanging. There are other references to suicide. An individual is slapped and another is punched.
Sexual Content: A couple are shown kissing briefly. A character is seen from the shoulders up in the shower.
Profanity: There are three uses of extreme profanity, although only one of them is clearly audible. There are also six scatological curses and infrequent mild profanity and terms of deity.
Alcohol / Drug Use: None.
Page last updated October 2, 2021
Fear of Rain Parents' Guide
What do you know about schizophrenia? Do you know anyone who suffers from this illness? What can you do to help people who are dealing with schizophrenia? What kind of resources are available in your area?
Treatment Advocacy Center: Schizophrenia – Fact Sheet
Scientific American: Living with Schizophrenia
Here to Help: Someone I love has been diagnosed with schizophrenia. How can I help?
WebMD: Schizophrenia Resources
Loved this movie? Try these books…
The Perks of Being a Wallflower is based on a book of the same name by author Stephen Chbosky. Freak the Mighty follows two teenage boys through junior high as they deal with mental and physical illnesses.
Home Video
Related home video titles:
Released earlier this year, Words on Bathroom Walls is another teen film about a youth coping with schizophrenia. For more stories about mentally ill teenagers, options include The Perks of Being a Wallflower, It’s Kind of a Funny Story, and Donnie Darko.