Is it a horror movie or a thriller?

It leans more into psychological thriller territory. There aren't many 'jump scares,' but there is a constant sense of dread and some bursts of survival-based violence.

Is there any nudity or sexual content?

No significant nudity or sex, but the film deals with mature themes regarding human relationships and the threat of the 'outside world' which includes implied dangers.

Why is the rating so low?

Critics felt the script was predictable and the pacing was too slow to maintain tension. Even with Ashley Judd's performance, the movie struggles to justify its runtime.

Lazareth – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Lazareth

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie2024

35%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

A survival thriller about an overprotective aunt that unfortunately survives on tropes and dies on delivery.

25%

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Lazareth

movie

15, 2024

35%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

A survival thriller about an overprotective aunt that unfortunately survives on tropes and dies on delivery.

25%

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25%

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Screenwise Verdict

Look, life is too short for mediocre survival thrillers. Lazareth tries to be a psychological deep-dive into isolation and overprotection, but it ends up being a dull, poorly-paced slog that neither critics nor audiences liked. If you're looking for a 'sheltered kids meet the scary world' movie, there are a dozen better versions of this story.

It’s rated for teens, but even for that age group, the payoff isn't worth the wait. It’s the kind of movie that ends and leaves you feeling like you just wasted 90 minutes of your life. Skip it and watch A Quiet Place or Leave No Trace instead.

Age Fit

This is strictly for older teens (15+) and adults. Not because it’s the most scandalous thing ever made, but because the psychological weight and the 'boring' factor make it a poor fit for anyone younger.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

The film centers on isolation, paranoia, and a controlling maternal figure. While it explores family protection, the tone is claustrophobic and emotionally taxing rather than healthy or cooperative.

Imaginative

It attempts a 'sheltered world vs. reality' concept, but critics and audiences agree it relies heavily on tired post-apocalyptic tropes without adding much new flavor.

Safe

Rated for ages 15+ due to mature themes, survivalist violence, and psychological dread. It's not 'unsafe' in a toxic sense, but it is intense and contains scenes of peril and injury.

Enriching

There's a kernel of a conversation about the line between protection and imprisonment, but the execution is too weak to offer much meaningful insight.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Ashley Judd brings more gravitas to the role of Aunt Lee than the script probably deserves.
Atmospheric tension in the first act effectively builds a sense of mystery about what is actually happening in the outside world.
Isolation ethics are explored, making it a potential (if lackluster) starting point for talking about how fear can lead to controlling behavior.

⚠

What to Watch For

Psychological control: The 'protection' Aunt Lee provides is borderline abusive and highly manipulative, which might be upsetting for some viewers.
Survivalist violence: Expect some blood and gritty medical moments when the outsider enters the picture.
Slow-burn slog: The movie is notoriously slow; even if the themes are okay for your teen, their boredom levels might not be.

Conversation Starters

"Is Lee actually protecting the girls, or is she just protecting her own need for control?"
"If you were raised in total isolation, what would be the hardest part of the 'real world' to adapt to?"
"Why do you think stories about the end of the world are so popular right now?"

Deep Dive

The 'Protective Parent' Gone Wrong

Lazareth joins a long line of films—think 10 Cloverfield Lane or Dogtooth—that explore the terrifying intersection of love and kidnapping. The premise is solid: an aunt raises her nieces in the woods to protect them from a world that has supposedly collapsed. The friction begins when the girls grow up and start wondering if the 'monsters' outside are real or just a story told to keep them compliant.

Why it Fails to Land

The biggest issue here isn't the content, it's the craft. With a 4.4 on IMDb and a dismal 25% on Rotten Tomatoes, the consensus is clear: it's just not a good movie. The pacing is glacial, and the 'twists' are visible from a mile away. For a parent, the only real value here is a cautionary tale about how fear-based parenting can lead to a total breakdown of trust, but you shouldn't have to sit through a boring movie to get that message.

Better Alternatives

If your teen is into the 'survival in the woods' genre, steer them toward Leave No Trace, which handles the psychological bond between a father and daughter with infinitely more grace and realism. If they want the thriller/horror vibes, the first A Quiet Place remains the gold standard for 'family vs. the apocalypse.' Lazareth is a Hulu-filler movie that will likely be forgotten by next week.

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