The Others Parent Guide

During the last days of World War II, Grace (Nicole Kidman), the young mother of school aged Anne (Alakina Mann) and younger Nicholas (James Bentley), patiently awaits the return of her husband from the front lines—even though she has not heard from him in over a year. Making matters worse, both of her children suffer from a disease that makes them unable to withstand any bright light. Thus the family dwells in their rambling old mansion on the mist drenched Isle of Jersey with the curtains drawn and the children always behind a locked door for fear light may inadvertently enter the room.

After her hired help suddenly leaves, Grace is even more distraught and her dependent children make it difficult to seek outside assistance. When three people come bidding her to employ them as servants, Grace happily accepts the offer of housekeeper Mrs. Mills (Fionnula Flanagan), along with a gardener and mute nanny. But no sooner does she have this problem solved, when Anne begins insisting she is seeing other people in the house. At first disbelieving the child, Grace begins hearing strange noises too, and determines to discover the source of the intrusion.

Foggy nights, squeaky doors, suspenseful music, and mysteriously playing pianos are only a few of the typical techniques used within this horror film. Yet even with its reliance on old tricks to create fear, Alejandro Amen0xE1bar, the movie’s 28-year-old writer/director manages to supply a story that keeps viewers in the dark (in more ways than one) until the closing scene.

The hallmark of any good thriller, this movie works within your imagination rather than by shocking you with gore on the screen. Other than a few unexpected surprises, some photographs of dead people, and talk of a murder/suicide, there are virtually no other content concerns. Yet the overall theme is probably too intense for pre-teens. As well, if religious beliefs leave you uncomfortable with depictions of ghosts, seances, or disturbing portrayals of life after death, definitely leave The Others alone.

About author

Rod Gustafson

Rod Gustafson has worked in various media industries since 1977. He founded Parent Previews in 1993, and today continues to write and broadcast the reviews in newspapers, on radio and (of course) on the Internet. His efforts also include writing and researching media in all its forms and observing how it effects society and culture. He and his wife Donna have four children.