The Ring is genuinely scary horror that earned its reputation for a reason. It's not torture porn or cheap jump scares—it's psychological dread that builds and builds until that iconic TV scene that still makes people uncomfortable with static.

But let's be clear: this is not for kids, not for young teens, and honestly not even for all older teens. The PG-13 rating is one of those early 2000s mysteries where somehow disturbing psychological horror got a pass. Common Sense Media says 16+ and they're right.

For horror fans who are old enough, it's a well-crafted film that demonstrates the genre at its best. The mystery structure gives it more substance than pure scream-fests. But if your 12-year-old watched this at a friend's house, you're going to be dealing with nightmares and possibly some therapy bills.

The WISE score reflects what it is: effective horror that's imaginative and well-made, but fundamentally designed to disturb rather than enrich. Worth watching if you're into the genre and old enough to handle it, but definitely not family movie night material.