Iffy for 15+
Paradise-set thriller is stylish, slick, and very violent.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that this tense "trouble in paradise" thriller has lots of bloody violence, from fistfights and beatings to shootings, stabbings, and even mutilation of a murder victim (shown on screen). There's also some drinking and drug use, a good bit of strong language (including "f--k"), and scenes with naked male and female buttocks (plus some implied toplessness). Parents also need to know that this review is for the theatrical rated version of the film.
- Families can talk about the movie's violence. Does it have more or less impact than what you've seen in other movies? Why? Does violence have to be bloody to be disturbing?
- What do you think of movies that make a big deal out of having a "twist" ending? What separates a great twist from a cheap gimmick?
- What dangers are involved in travel? How can travellers protect themselves?
The good stuff
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Messages: Although the movie's overall message -- that you should always be careful (not "even on vacation" but "especially on vacation") -- could be seen as positive, it's couched in gore and sadistic violence.
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Role models: The movie is about a relentless killer, but it does also portray stalwart fortitude and true love between an affectionate, commited couple (albeit not in the way you'd expect).
What to watch for
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Violence: Some grisly thriller violence, including graphic stabbings and shootings, plus fistfights, bloody wounds, and extreme moments like the mutilation of murder victims (shown on-screen), where teeth are removed and fingertips cut off to obscure a victim's identity. A character is shot point-blank but survives; viewers see the wound after the fact. An animal is hunted, eviscerated, skinned, and cooked. A victim is stabbed in the leg and pulls the knife out. A man, struck with a knife, has his hand split badly between his fingers (the wound is shown in detail).
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Sex: Nude male and female buttocks shown during a skinny dipping scene. Shielded female toplessness. Discussions of sex, including the offer of "a B.J."
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Language: Fairly strong language throughout, including "f--k," "motherf--ker," "s--t," "hell," "ass," "Jesus," "Christ," "crap," "craptastic," "oh my God," "goddamn," and more.
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Consumerism: Brands visible or mentioned by name include Trojan, Hummer, and Marvel Comics.
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Drinking, drugs and smoking: Chracters drink hard liquor and smoke marijuana. A psychotic killer is clearly fueled by crystal meth use.
Fan Reviews provided by
3
Five Word Review by redyeah
Twist makes it rentable movie
4
Finally, good writing + action by coarr
I hadn't read any reviews when I got dragged to this thing, which sounded like just another lame slasher movie. Somehow I've gotten used to really crappy commodity films. This is not one of them. It's clever, it's entertaining, and it's filled with surprises.
5
Surprised by isugreen
I am so glad that I went to see this movie. After reading the reviews, I nearly didn't. I found it quite enjoyable given the scenery, plot twists, and suspense.
5
Loved It! by PhiMu09
I thought this movie was great. It's not a sick, gory film. It was suspenseful and character driven. I would recommend it to anyone who misses a good scary movie that doesn't make you wish you hadn't eaten dinner.
5
Intense movie by GJoz
Great movie with lots of action and suspense. I was expecting a slasher film, but got a whole lot better movie. The serial killers picked on the wrong victims. If you got bored in this movie... well, you might want to get checked for ADD. I'll see it again.
5
Definately different! by erc2dster
At the start of the movie, you think you have things pretty much figured out (though you can't help second-guessing yourself). From one scene to the next you're constantly shifting your opinion of who the "bad guys" are. The twist in this movie is AWESOME. I can't remember the last time I was so shocked by the turn of events in a film. My only criticism is that, right at the turning point, you're not exactly sure why things have suddenly changed. When the girl you suspect to be the killer is flipping through pics on the digital camera I didn't get a good enough view of what she saw, so when she runs off all terrified I was like, "Huh? What the heck just happened?" And I couldn't really enjoy it for the next few minutes trying to figure out HOW she figured it out. Anyway, still well worth the money. Did not disappoint!
5
AWESOME movie! by borene13
I am so surprised by the bad reviews... I absolutely loved this movie. Granted it was not the thriller/ suspense movie I was expecting from the previews... but, the scenery is beautiful, the plot is well thought out especially the twist that I never saw coming... the acting was good and I honestly really enjoyed everything about it. I was not expecting much, but this movie was much better than I thought.
4
I'd Probably Watch It Again by ajpere
This was a pretty good movie. Not great, but more entertaining than a lot of the junk out there. Suspenseful and a little scary, but not gory. I appreciated that. Really tired of slasher films filled with horrific over-the-top violence and blood. If you are a fan of mysteries and suspense, then the 'plot twist' probably won't surprise you. But overall fairly entertaining 1 1/2 hours.
5
Quirky fun and worth the admission by phoenix00a
This movie has all the ingredients for perfection and will eventually even rise to 'cult status' after it's initial public theater run is over and the critics stop trying to b**tch-slap it. Just like Pitch Black. The 'red herrings' are perfectly placed and used with confidence by the director. What I found most interesting is that the director was not afraid to bring attention to the fact that it's really hard to surprise people in a movie. Everyone knows that in order to truly surprise the audience, the killer has to be out in the open and visible most of the time. Well The Perfect Getaway does that perfectly. The killer is right there, walking and talking with the 'victims'. Ok most people will figure out that the killers are one couple or the other, but the question of 'which one is it?' shifts continually. David Twohy has never made a typical movie. They are quirky and will shamelessly take plot missteps in order to get us to the payoff. And this one has a really great payoff!
5
"A Perfect Getaway" review by VFORD9016
I really enjoyed the twists and turns of the movie. You really never would have know who the killers were. I enjoyed every moment:-)