Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

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Screenwise Verdict

Here's the deal: The Others is a legitimately well-crafted gothic horror film with one of the best twist endings ever. Critics loved it, audiences liked it, and it's genuinely smart filmmaking.

But let's be real—this is a 2001 slow-burn psychological thriller that moves at a glacial pace by modern standards. Kids raised on A Quiet Place and Get Out will find this almost unwatchably slow. It takes forever to get going, and the payoff requires patience most teens don't have anymore.

It's also genuinely scary in ways that matter for younger viewers. The scene where Grace nearly smothers her children is disturbing. The séance sequence is nightmare fuel. And the entire premise—dead people who don't know they're dead—is existentially heavy.

If you've got a mature 15-16 year old who specifically loves atmospheric horror and has the patience for slow storytelling, this could be a great watch-together experience. The twist is worth discussing, and it's way smarter than most horror. But for the average teen? They'll be on their phone within 20 minutes, and honestly, I don't blame them.

Age Fit

Best for mature 14+ who specifically enjoy slow-burn psychological horror. Younger teens will likely find it boring; older teens who appreciate atmospheric storytelling will dig it. Not for anyone who scares easily or needs faster pacing.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

55

Gothic horror atmosphere with themes of grief, isolation, and mental deterioration. The mother character shows controlling, sometimes frightening behavior toward her children. While there's no graphic violence, the tone is consistently dark and psychologically unsettling. Models fear and paranoia more than cooperation or kindness, though family protection is a central theme.

Imaginative

78

Clever, atmospheric gothic mystery with an genuinely surprising twist ending that recontextualizes everything. The photosensitivity premise creates unique visual storytelling—curtains drawn, candlelit rooms, creative use of darkness. Invites thinking about perception vs reality and what might be 'haunting' whom. Original take on ghost story conventions that rewards close attention.

Safe

48

This is psychological horror with jump scares, frightening imagery (ghostly figures, disturbing séance scenes), and themes of death, suicide, and child endangerment. The twist involves dead characters who don't know they're dead. Mother nearly smothers her children in a disturbing scene. While not gory, it's designed to terrify and has genuinely scary moments that could traumatize younger viewers. Common Sense Media rates it 14+ for good reason.

Enriching

68

Sophisticated narrative structure rewards careful viewing and discussion about perspective, grief, and acceptance. Explores PTSD, religious guilt, and how trauma affects families. The twist invites conversations about assumptions and empathy. Period setting (post-WWII Channel Islands) offers historical context. However, it's primarily entertainment through scares rather than deep growth opportunities.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

One of the best twist endings in horror—genuinely surprising and makes you want to rewatch immediately
Sophisticated psychological horror that relies on atmosphere and tension rather than gore
Nicole Kidman delivers a powerhouse performance as a mother unraveling
Beautiful cinematography and period detail create an immersive gothic world
Sparks great discussions about perspective, grief, and what it means to 'let go'

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What to Watch For

Legitimately scary—jump scares, disturbing imagery, and a scene where the mother nearly smothers her children
Extremely slow burn pacing that will bore most kids under 14; this is a 'slow creep' not a 'quick scare'
Heavy themes of death, religious guilt, and PTSD that require emotional maturity
The entire premise revolves around dead people, suicide, and existential dread—not light fare
May cause nightmares in sensitive viewers; the 'old lady' séance scene is genuinely terrifying

Conversation Starters

"What did you think was happening before the twist? When did you start to suspect something was different?"
"How do you think Grace's war trauma and religious beliefs affected how she treated her children?"
"If you didn't know something important about yourself, how would you want someone to tell you?"
"Why do you think the 'intruders' were so scary to Grace and her family? What were they actually scared of?"
"The movie is about people who can't accept what's happened to them—have you ever had trouble accepting something difficult?"

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