The Others parents guide

The Others Parent Guide

You are not alone.

Overall B

Isolated in a mist-shrouded mansion, a mother (Nichole Kidman) cares for her children, who have a disease that makes them unable to withstand bright light. Strange things begin to happen as they dwell in the dark --forcing the family to realizes they are not as alone as they believed.

Release date August 9, 2001

Violence B
Sexual Content B-
Profanity A-
Substance Use A

Why is The Others rated PG-13? The MPAA rated The Others PG-13 for thematic elements and frightening moments.

Run Time: 104 minutes

Parent Movie Review

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.

Directed by Alejandro Amenábar. Starring Nicole Kidman. Running time: 104 minutes. Theatrical release August 9, 2001. Updated

The Others
Rating & Content Info

Why is The Others rated PG-13? The Others is rated PG-13 by the MPAA for thematic elements and frightening moments.

Overall: B
Carved from typical “old house” movie ingredients, there are few horror movies that contain as little objectionable content for family viewing as this well constructed thriller about a mother and two children who detect the presence of ghostly spirits in their rambling mansion. However, parents with young children, or those who object to depictions of the supernatural (including a short séance scene) integrated with Christianity (specifically Catholicism), will likely find the entire theme unsuitable.

Violence: B
The film contains general scare techniques including some “surprise” scenes, scary music and sounds, and photographs of dead people (the bodies are not gruesome or decaying). Also, in a couple of scenes a woman holds a gun and in another she shoots the gun at a person.

Sexual Content: B+
A woman undresses to her full-length slip in front of her husband. A sexual relationship is implied in a scene that shows a married couple kissing in bed.

Language: A-
Other than one mild profanity, terms of Deity are used frequently but within a religious context.

Alcohol / Drug Use: A
Character takes pills for migraine on a couple of occasions.

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The Others Parents' Guide

This movie begs to have parents share their beliefs about what happens when we die, with their children. Discussion points may also include why “ghosts” are often shown in frightening ways in movies.

Although filmed in Spain (the home country of writer/director Alejandro Amenabar), The Others is set on the Isle of Jersey, one of the Channel Islands between England and France, and the only piece of British territory to be occupied by the Nazi’s during World War II. Read more about this fascinating island—now a major Northern European tourist destination—by visiting www.jersey.co.uk. An especially interesting page explains the history of the German Underground Hospital, one of many physical reminders of the war.

Home Video

The most recent home video release of The Others movie is August 5, 2003. Here are some details…

DVD Release Date: August 5, 2003
Get twice as scared with the two-disc DVD edition of The Others. Bonus thrills include a 30-minute documentary titled A Look Inside The Others, a visual effects featurette, an intimate look at director Alejandro Amenabar, the movie’s photo album, and more information about Xeroderma Pigmentosu—the disease portrayed in the film. To make sure you get the full fear factor out of the squeaky doors and suspenseful soundtrack, the audio is presented in Dolby Digital 5.1 (English) and Dolby Digital 2.0 (French). Subtitles are available in English and Spanish.

Related home video titles:

If you liked The Others, there’s a good chance you’ll find The Sixth Sense to be just as psychologically thrilling, although parents should be warned this title contains some graphic depictions.

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