Common Sense Note

Parents need to know that Flowers in the Attic is a drama based on a very popular 1980s pulp novel about a family whose children are locked in an attic by a scary mother and grandmother. Incest is a major theme since the children are a product of it, and the older siblings eventually become intimate, though only kissing is visible. Violence is limited to whipping, slapping, and shoving with a lot of menacing talk about punishments, but since the violence is doled out by adult authority members, it could be extra frightening for young viewers to watch. A few mild four-letter words are used, and the grandmother calls the children many names, including devil's spawn and devil's issue.

Sexual Content

Sexual content is limited to kissing, talk, and a scene where two characters lie in bed together with the male character shirtless post-coital, but since the sex in question is between a brother and sister, parents or young viewers may be deeply disturbed.

Violence

The violence is rather tame (whipping and lots of talk of whipping, pushing, slapping), but very scary for kids to watch because it's from an adult authority figure, directed at a helpless child.

Language

A few words like "hell" and "damn," and lots of hissed-between-the-teeth language about children being "devil's spawn" and born evil.

Social Behavior

Since the plot features a family who locks up and then tries to kill the family's children, positive messages are in short supply.

Consumerism

Flowers in the Attic is based on a novel, which viewers may want to read after watching the movie. Since the novel is very racy and controversial, parents may not appreciate that.

Drugs / Tobacco / Alcohol

At an adult party, there are what looks like wine glasses and drinks on a table; no one acts drunk.