Information for Parents
Common Sense Media says Iffy for 15+
Paradise-set thriller is stylish, slick, and very violent.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that this tense "trouble in paradise" thriller has lots of bloody violence, from fistfights and beatings to shootings, stabbings, and even mutilation of a murder victim (shown on screen). There's also some drinking and drug use, a good bit of strong language (including "f--k"), and scenes with naked male and female buttocks (plus some implied toplessness). Parents also need to know that this review is for the theatrical rated version of the film.
- Families can talk about the movie's violence. Does it have more or less impact than what you've seen in other movies? Why? Does violence have to be bloody to be disturbing?
- What do you think of movies that make a big deal out of having a "twist" ending? What separates a great twist from a cheap gimmick?
- What dangers are involved in travel? How can travellers protect themselves?
The good stuff
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Positive messages: Although the movie's overall message -- that you should always be careful (not "even on vacation" but "especially on vacation") -- could be seen as positive, it's couched in gore and sadistic violence.
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Positive role models: The movie is about a relentless killer, but it does also portray stalwart fortitude and true love between an affectionate, commited couple (albeit not in the way you'd expect).
What to watch for
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Violence: Some grisly thriller violence, including graphic stabbings and shootings, plus fistfights, bloody wounds, and extreme moments like the mutilation of murder victims (shown on-screen), where teeth are removed and fingertips cut off to obscure a victim's identity. A character is shot point-blank but survives; viewers see the wound after the fact. An animal is hunted, eviscerated, skinned, and cooked. A victim is stabbed in the leg and pulls the knife out. A man, struck with a knife, has his hand split badly between his fingers (the wound is shown in detail).
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Sex: Nude male and female buttocks shown during a skinny dipping scene. Shielded female toplessness. Discussions of sex, including the offer of "a B.J."
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Language: Fairly strong language throughout, including "f--k," "motherf--ker," "s--t," "hell," "ass," "Jesus," "Christ," "crap," "craptastic," "oh my God," "goddamn," and more.
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Consumerism: Brands visible or mentioned by name include Trojan, Hummer, and Marvel Comics.
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Drinking, drugs and smoking: Chracters drink hard liquor and smoke marijuana. A psychotic killer is clearly fueled by crystal meth use.