The 8th Night is a 2021 Korean horror film that dropped on Netflix and flew under many parents' radars because it's subtitled and doesn't have the name recognition of something like The Conjuring.

The plot centers on an ancient evil that was sealed away 2,500 years ago and is now being unleashed through a series of possessions. A monk and his former disciple must stop this entity before it completes its resurrection on—you guessed it—the eighth night. Think The Exorcist meets Korean Buddhist mythology with a heavy dose of body horror.

The film runs about 115 minutes and carries a TV-MA rating, which is Netflix's way of saying "seriously, adults only."

Korean horror has exploded in popularity, especially after Squid Game became a global phenomenon. Your teens are absolutely watching Korean content, whether it's K-dramas, K-pop content on YouTube, or horror films like this one. The subtitle barrier that used to keep younger viewers away? Yeah, Gen Z doesn't care about that anymore—they're reading subtitles for Extraordinary Attorney Woo and everything else.

The 8th Night specifically pops up in Netflix recommendations if your teen has watched any horror content, and the thumbnail looks intriguing without screaming "nightmare fuel inside." Plus, at two hours, it's prime late-night viewing when parents think everyone's asleep.

This isn't jump-scare horror—it's visceral, graphic horror. We're talking:

The violence serves the story rather than existing for shock value, but that doesn't make it any less intense to watch.

Here's the big one: The film includes explicit suicide references and a character who attempts suicide.

If your teen is struggling with mental health issues, has experienced suicidal ideation, or has lost someone to suicide, this is not the film for them right now. The suicide content isn't brief or implied—it's central to a character's arc and shown on screen.

This is where the "it depends on your teen" caveat becomes critical. A 17-year-old horror buff who's in a good mental health space might handle this fine. A struggling 16-year-old should absolutely skip it, regardless of their horror tolerance.

The film draws heavily from Buddhist mythology and includes:

For families with strong religious beliefs, particularly Christian households that view possession through a specific theological lens, the Buddhist framework might feel uncomfortable or contrary to your family's worldview. That said, the film treats its religious elements with respect and seriousness—this isn't mockery or exploitation.

The 8th Night uses atmospheric dread more than jump scares. It's the slow-burn horror that gets under your skin and stays there. The possession sequences are genuinely frightening, not because of shock value but because they're so well-executed and disturbing.

The film also employs body horror—watching characters physically transform and lose control of their bodies is deeply unsettling in a way that's different from slasher films or ghost stories.

Under 13: Absolutely not. No debate here.

13-15: Still no for the vast majority of teens. Even horror-loving 15-year-olds might find the suicide content and intensity too much. If you have an exceptionally mature 15-year-old who specifically asks to watch it, consider co-viewing and having a conversation first about the content warnings.

16-17: Maybe, with important caveats:

18+: Still intense, but age-appropriate for adults who enjoy horror.

If you decide to allow a teen to watch this, co-viewing is strongly recommended for the first time. Not in a "I'm monitoring you" way, but in a "this is intense and we should process it together" way.

Having someone to discuss the film with afterward—especially the suicide content and the darker themes—can make a huge difference in how a teen processes what they've watched.

If your teen has already seen The 8th Night (and let's be real, many have), don't panic. Here's what to do:

1. Check in casually: "I saw The 8th Night is in your Netflix history—that one looked intense. How was it?"

2. Ask open-ended questions:

3. Address the suicide content directly: "I noticed the film had some suicide references. That can be heavy stuff to watch. How did you feel about those parts?"

4. Gauge their response: Are they dismissive ("It was fine, just a movie")? Thoughtful? Disturbed? Their reaction tells you a lot about whether they were ready for this content.

5. Use it as a teaching moment: This is a chance to talk about how horror films can affect us differently and why some content requires emotional readiness, not just age.

If your teen wants Korean horror but The 8th Night is too intense, try:

For teens who want supernatural horror without the intensity:

Check out our guide to age-appropriate horror movies for more options across different age ranges.

The 8th Night is genuinely good horror—it's well-crafted, atmospheric, and respects its source mythology. But it's absolutely not for kids, and it's questionable for younger teens.

The suicide content alone makes this a film that requires careful consideration, even for older teens. This isn't helicopter parenting—it's recognizing that some content requires emotional maturity and mental health stability to process safely.

If your teen is begging to watch it:

If you're unsure: Trust your gut. There's no shortage of horror content that's less potentially triggering. Waiting six months or a year isn't going to ruin their life, but watching something they're not ready for might genuinely affect them.

Korean horror is here to stay, and your teens are going to encounter it. Use The 8th Night as an opportunity to establish that you're not blocking content arbitrarily—you're making informed decisions based on actual content concerns. That builds trust for future conversations about what they're watching.

And hey, if you decide they're ready? Make popcorn, keep the lights on, and maybe don't watch it right before bed.

Want more guidance on navigating horror content with your teen? Let's talk about age-appropriate horror viewing.