Is Death Becomes Her Kid Friendly? A Critical Look for Parents

Death Becomes Her is definitely not a kid-friendly movie. While rated PG-13, its themes of vanity, mortality, and the obsessive pursuit of youth are complex and potentially disturbing for younger viewers. The film’s dark humor, grotesque visuals, and implied situations make it more suitable for mature audiences, particularly those who can appreciate its satirical edge.

Unpacking the Content: Why Death Becomes Her Isn’t for Kids

Death Becomes Her, directed by Robert Zemeckis, is a black comedy with a fantastical premise: two women ingest a potion promising eternal youth, but it comes with gruesome consequences. This alone should raise red flags for parents considering it for their children. Here’s a more detailed breakdown:

• Mature Themes: The central themes revolve around aging, death, beauty standards, rivalry, and infidelity. These are heavy topics that young children may not fully understand or be emotionally equipped to handle. The obsessive focus on physical appearance and the desperation to remain young can send unhealthy messages about self-image and worth.

• Dark Humor and Grotesque Visuals: The humor is often dark and satirical, which might go over the heads of younger viewers. More importantly, the film features graphic depictions of physical damage – characters are shot, stabbed, and their bodies contort in unnatural ways as they try to cope with their immortality. These visuals can be disturbing and even frightening for children.

• Implied Situations and Adult Themes: While not explicit, the film implies extramarital affairs and features characters with flawed morals and questionable behavior. The relationships between the characters are often tense and manipulative, which can be confusing or unsettling for young viewers.

• Tone and Message: While the film ultimately satirizes the pursuit of eternal youth and superficiality, the journey to that message is filled with content that’s simply not appropriate for children. The misanthropic nature of the characters, as described by some critics, contributes to an overall tone that’s better suited for adults who can appreciate the film’s ironic commentary.

Death Becomes Her: A Closer Look at the PG-13 Rating

It’s important to remember that the PG-13 rating is a guideline, not a guarantee of appropriateness for all children. Factors such as a child’s maturity level, sensitivity, and personal experiences should all be considered. Just because a film avoids an R rating doesn’t automatically make it suitable for younger audiences. “Death Becomes Her” received its PG-13 rating due to its thematic elements, some suggestive content, and moments of comic violence and frightening images. However, the cumulative effect of these elements is what makes the film unsuitable for kids.

Games Learning Society and Media Literacy

Understanding the complexities of media consumption is crucial in today’s world. Organizations like the Games Learning Society (GamesLearningSociety.org) work to promote media literacy and understanding the impact of media on individuals and society. Parents can find valuable resources and insights on how to guide children in their media choices. Understanding the message and intention of a movie like Death Becomes Her is essential for making an informed decision on whether it’s suitable for children.

FAQs: Digging Deeper into Death Becomes Her

Here are 15 frequently asked questions to help you further decide if “Death Becomes Her” is right for your family:

1. What is the main message of Death Becomes Her? The core message is a satirical critique of vanity and the obsession with youth, suggesting that true beauty lies within. However, the path to delivering this message is filled with content that’s not suitable for children.

2. Is there any violence in Death Becomes Her? Yes, there’s comic violence involving guns, stabbings, and characters suffering grotesque injuries. While presented humorously, the visuals can be disturbing.

3. Does Death Becomes Her have any scary scenes? Yes, there are moments of macabre humor and scenes with decaying bodies, which some viewers might find frightening.

4. Are there any sexual references in the movie? Yes, there are mild sex references and implied infidelity, which might be inappropriate for younger viewers.

5. Is there any bad language in Death Becomes Her? The language is relatively mild compared to R-rated films, but there may be occasional words or phrases that some parents find objectionable.

6. Is Death Becomes Her appropriate for a 10-year-old? Generally, no. The themes and visuals are too mature for most 10-year-olds.

7. Is Death Becomes Her appropriate for a 13-year-old? It depends on the individual child’s maturity level and sensitivity. Parents should preview the film or read detailed reviews before allowing a 13-year-old to watch it.

8. What makes Death Becomes Her a black comedy? The film utilizes dark humor to explore serious themes, often finding humor in situations that are normally considered tragic or disturbing.

9. Is Death Becomes Her similar to other PG-13 movies? While it shares the PG-13 rating with other films, its specific themes and tone set it apart. It’s darker and more satirical than many mainstream PG-13 comedies.

10. How does the potion work in Death Becomes Her? The potion grants eternal life and youthful appearance, but it doesn’t prevent injuries. As a result, the characters’ bodies become increasingly damaged and grotesque.

11. Who are the main characters in Death Becomes Her? The main characters are Madeline Ashton (Meryl Streep), Helen Sharp (Goldie Hawn), and Ernest Menville (Bruce Willis).

12. Is Death Becomes Her a horror movie? No, it’s not a horror movie. It’s a black comedy with fantastical elements.

13. What is the film’s overall tone? The tone is satirical, cynical, and often dark, poking fun at vanity and the fear of aging.

14. Are there any positive messages in Death Becomes Her? While subtly, the film suggests that true beauty comes from within and that chasing eternal youth is ultimately futile.

15. Where can I find more information about movie ratings? The Motion Picture Association (MPA) website provides detailed information about movie ratings and their criteria.

Conclusion: Parental Discretion Advised

“Death Becomes Her” is a clever and entertaining film for adults who appreciate dark humor and satire. However, its mature themes, grotesque visuals, and complex narrative make it unsuitable for children. Parents should exercise caution and carefully consider their child’s maturity level before allowing them to watch this film. Consider resources like the Games Learning Society to learn more about media consumption and its impact on youth.