Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that this is a review of the movie seen in theaters and not the unrated version available on DVD. Many of the scares, jumps, and jolts in this horror/action movie from Spider-Man director Sam Raimi are played for comic effect. Still, it's quite bloody, and along with the scary moments and gore, there's extensive discussion of curses, spells, ghosts, and spirits. Surprisingly, the film also has an ethical core, as the main character makes several tough decisions and tries to do the right thing despite implacable odds -- though she occasionally fails.
Sexual
Content
Kissing; an unmarried couple wakes up in the same bed. Some wearing of damp, clingy clothing on the main character's part.
Violence
High on scares, but they're peppered with some humor. Extensive fighting and scuffling, with a mix of graphic imagery and good-natured goofiness; blood, but in such outlandish amounts that the effect is ultimately more cartoony than grisly. An old woman grapples with the main character, who fights her off with fists, a stapler, and the laws of gravity; a staple is plunged into human flesh. A spectral vision is hit by a falling heavy object, to squishy, comedic effect; spectral forces hurl, batter, and buffet people around. A machete is used. Discussion and depiction of animal sacrifice.
Language
Extensive use of "hell," also occasional use of "damn," "ass," "pissed," "s--t," "screw," "bitch," "Christ's sake," "oh my God," "goddamn," "whore," and one barely articulated, under-the-breath use of "f--k."
Social
Behavior
For all of the movie's horror-film trappings and scares, the message about the consequences of your ethical choices is quite strong.
Consumerism
Some brands seen (Apple, Motorola) and mentioned (American Express).
Drugs / Tobacco /
Alcohol
Characters drink wine and speak of relatives who were alcoholics.
