Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that Dark Places -- a thriller based on a novel by Gone Girl author Gillian Flynn -- will no doubt be unfavorably compared to the previous film adaptation of Flynn's work. But it's still worth seeing if you can handle the story's multiple murders, references to child molestation, animal killings, blood spatters, fighting, chasing, etc. Language includes several uses of "f--k," "s--t," "bitch," and more; teens have sex (no graphic nudity), a scene takes place in a strip club, and there are other sexual references. Teens are also seen smoking pot and drinking, and adults smoke cigarettes, drink, and get drunk. One character is said to be a drug dealer. Despite all of this heavy material, the movie never feels too intense, and older, thoughtful teens should be fine.
Sexual
Content
A teen girl kisses a teen boy and pulls off his clothes. Sex is implied. Reference to oral sex. Images of a strip club (no nudity shown). Teen pregnancy.
Violence
Shooting, strangling. References to a teen molesting young girls. Teens killing cows, with blood spatters. Brief flashbacks to a murder scene. Character knocked unconscious. A struggle and a chase. References to suicides that look like accidents. Images of a violent video game.
Language
Several uses of "f--k," plus "s--t," "bitch," "c--t," "hell," and "whore."
Social
Behavior
Amid all the dark stuff are a few complex, subtle messages about forgiveness and learning not to judge others too harshly.
Consumerism
Not applicable
Drugs / Tobacco /
Alcohol
Some teen drinking/pot smoking. The main character smokes cigarettes and drinks. Minor adult characters smoke and drink/get drunk. References to a drug dealer.
