Common Sense Note

Parents need to know that The Raven is an extremely gory serial killer thriller about author Edgar Allan Poe (John Cusack) that incorporates facts from his life, as well as fictional elements. There are several very bloody murders and mangled dead bodies, and the female lead is kidnapped and buried alive. There are also guns, shooting, punching, and shouting, and Poe is shown to be an addict (he drinks often, smokes cigarettes once or twice, and is referred to as an opium addict, though drugs are never shown). Language is fairly infrequent, with one possible use of "f---ing," as well as a handful of lesser words. Brief sexuality includes cleavage shots and some kissing.

Sexual Content

The hero kisses his lady love a few times. They begin to kiss passionately, and he unties the strings on the front of her dress, but they stop. The heroine's cleavage is on display in at least one scene. One or two mentions of eroticism and/or innuendo.

Violence

Extremely grisly murders, with gallons of spurting, gurgling blood. A man is sliced in half with a swinging blade; a man's throat is sliced; and viewers see several bloody, mangled corpses, including one of a 12-year-old girl. The female lead is kidnapped and locked in a coffin (a la "The Premature Burial"). There are guns and shooting. One of the main characters is shot in the shoulder, and he howls in pain as a doctor digs for the bullet with a knife. A cadaver is tortured. Viewers also see a dead cat, a dead raven, a human heart (being eaten by a raccoon), and a human tongue. Also some "jump" scenes, lots of arguing, and some punching.

Language

Possibly one use of "f---ing," though it comes in the middle of a heated argument, and it's not easy to make out. Other words include "s--t," "damn," "bastard," "son of a bitch," "hell," "twat," "whore," "piss," "goddamn," and "oh my God."

Social Behavior

A self-obsessed writer learns to care for and work with others, though he occasionally relapses into rudeness, melancholy, and drinking. He works with others to overcome a deadly challenge. Love becomes an extremely powerful motivator for him. The dangers of self-obsession are clear. Themes of self-sacrifice.

Consumerism

Not applicable

Drugs / Tobacco / Alcohol

Poe is shown to be an addict. He drinks a lot -- mostly brandy and whisky -- though he's not always drunk (when he is, he's belligerent and abrasive). He's also seen smoking cigarettes, and he's referred to as an "opium addict," though drugs are never shown. Social drinking.