Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that this thriller is being heavily marketed to teens, so many of them will want to see it. Expect a fair amount of swearing and mild sexuality and plenty of teen-on-teen violence and criminality, much of which is perpetuated by a highly dysfunctional girl who lies, cheats, steals, and kills. The main character has a distant relationship with his mother, whom he secretly resents for expecting him to be perfect.
Sexual
Content
Two teens get drunk at a party and make out (fully clothed) in bed. Annie and her boyfriend kiss. In another scene, she's getting dressed for school, and he's bare-chested in bed (obviously, they spent the night together). Nick and Annie cuddle while sleeping.
Violence
Teenagers beat each other up, hold each other at knife- and gun-point, and nearly kill a character. Two characters shoot each other.
Language
The usual PG-13 words: "s--t," "bitch," "ass," "a--hole," etc.
Social
Behavior
A wayward, violent teen redeems herself by helping the person she hurt. A golden boy who resents his mother learns to empathize with her loneliness and grief.
Consumerism
Brands/products featured include Fountains of Wayne, iPod, Bulgari, Aeron.
Drugs / Tobacco /
Alcohol
Adults drink champagne and wine; teens get drunk at a high-school party. A couple of characters smoke cigarettes. A character tries to commit suicide by taking pills.