Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that Beautiful Creatures is based on the best-selling paranormal romance by Kami Garcia and Maragaret Stohl. Teens and mature tweens, especially fans of the four-part book series, will be eager to see the tale brought to life on the big screen. The movie has even more romance (including kissing, making out, and seduction) than in the book, with the central couple moving out of "friends" mode faster here than they did in the original story. Language includes "s--t" and "ass," and there's gun and magical violence that kills one beloved character and injures a bunch of mean teens. Discussion fodder includes some messages about the dangers of being close minded.
Sexual
Content
More kissing in the movie than in the book. Several passionate kisses -- one that literally starts a fire -- and one shot of a brief make-out scene in a bedroom (clothes stay on). One character -- a siren -- wears provocative/tight clothes and can seduce any man to do as she bids. She also has a couple of heated make-out sessions with a guy. A couple of veiled jokes that reference oral sex and the ability to make things grow.
Violence
Lena's uncontrollable powers lead her to shatter a set of windows, mildly injuring several of her "mean girl" classmates. In a flashback, a woman resurrects a man from the dead, only to kill him. Under a spell, a young man shoots someone with a rifle, and a magical battle leads to a character's destruction. One beloved character dies. A siren can make men do whatever she wants -- including put themselves in danger. Ethan, usually the only mortal witness to the magic, passes out a couple of times.
Language
Language includes a few variations on the word "s--t" ("chickens--t," "bulls--t") and "ass" ("suckass," "kickass," "badass," etc.), as well as pointed uses of the word "bitch," plus words/insults like "damn," "hell," "goddamn," "oh my God," and "shut up."
Social
Behavior
The movie, like the book, questions the narrow mindedness of anyone who thinks it's right to ban books or outcast strangers just for being different, stresses the importance of making a choice versus doing what you're told, and encourages looking beyond superficial differences for friendships/relationships. Another take away is the idea that it's not really possible to be all good or all bad; most people are a (more realistic) mix of both.
Consumerism
Mercedes, Ford, Canada Dry ginger ale, and Google are seen, but, except for Google, the brands aren't part of the story.
Drugs / Tobacco /
Alcohol
Adults drink at a dinner.
