not for kids
Stylish but gruesomely violent thriller riffs on Hitchcock.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Stoker is a dark thriller that riffs on Hitchcock's Shadow of a Doubt and has nothing to do with Dracula author Bram Stoker. The movie is filled with gruesome murders and lots of blood, including spraying, spattering, and dribbling down a wall. Characters are strangled; others are killed with hunting rifles, rocks to the head, and pruning shears to the neck. There's some strong, somewhat dark sexual innuendo. A teen girl masturbates in the shower (a nipple and buttocks are shown), and there are kissing scenes with both teens and adults. One adult character drinks wine regularly and perhaps overindulges a bit too often. A teen girl gulps a glass of wine. Language is sparse, with only a use of "bitch." The movie is very stylish and non-realistic, and teen movie buffs -- especially those familiar with director Park Chan-wook's Korean films -- will be interested in seeing it. But it's recommended only for the most mature viewers.
- Families can talk about Stoker's violence. How does it work within the context of the story? Could it have been less gruesome?
- What is India's relationship with her mother like? How do they communicate? How could they improve their communication?
- Does India seem too young to be so sexualized? What message does her character send teens who might see the movie?
The good stuff
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Messages: A teen girl learns to handle herself in tough situations, though her choices aren't always right -- or healthy.
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Role models: The characters mostly indulge in illegal/immoral/base activities -- murder, sex, etc.
What to watch for
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Violence: Several murders, each one seemingly more grisly and brutal than the one before it. A woman is strangled. A man receives a rifle blast to the head, with a huge, dripping blood smear on the wall (plus a puddle of blood underneath his body). A man is stabbed with pruning shears and sprays blood everywhere. A man is bashed in the head with a rock, with blood spatters. A bully picks on a teen girl; he feigns punching her in the face, and she stabs him with a pencil. A teen boy is strangled, and a teen girl repeatedly kicks him while he's down. A small boy is killed by being buried in the sand, though this isn't shown on screen. A dead body is found in a freezer.
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Sex: A teen girl masturbates (implied) in the shower while fantasizing about a murder that has previously occurred. Her buttocks are shown during this sequence, and one nipple is briefly seen. Two adults kiss, and the man caresses the woman's breast through her clothing. Two teens kiss, and the girl bites the boy's tongue. An older man and his niece play piano together, and the scene is played for eroticism. The girl begins breathing heavily from excitement. In an art class, viewers see a drawing of a naked girl (shown from behind).
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Language: A bully uses the word "bitch" in one scene. Another character calls him an "a-hole."
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Consumerism: Not an issue
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Drinking, drugs and smoking: A teen girl gulps a glass of wine. Her mother is shown to be drinking wine quite often and is perhaps a tiny bit tipsy in some scenes. It's possible that she could either be drowning her sorrows and frustrations -- or she could have a drinking problem.
Fan Reviews provided by
1
Stoker by blynnharris
4 people saw film and thought it was horrible. Acting was ok as was cinematography. Should not be seen by children, young adults or elderly. A must miss
5
A film lover's film by divadcarroll
My buddy and I spent over 30 minutes discussing the movie afterwards. From the unique credits to the multiple visual layers to the deliberate development of the characters and plot we found ourselves completely engrossed in the film. We concluded we would catch even more if we saw it again.
1
Stoker Stinks by Jonire
The worse movie to be sure ever made by Nicole Kidman. When it was only myself and my friend in the theatre I should have known. The movie was so bad we got up and walked out. Save your $$$ not worth a Red Box 1.00 investment! Don't take the kids.... don't go!
1
HORROR FLICK NOT WORTH VIEWING, UNLESS YOU ARE IN NEED OF A NAP! by Peneflix
It is March first and to this point ?Stoker? reigns as the worst film of 2013! How and why do beautiful, gifted actors prostitute their talents for detritus; meaningless, nonsensical scenarios? South Korean director Park Chan-Wook (?Oldboy?) fills a luscious, enchanting landscape with nothingness...
Saving the film from a zero rating is a daunting piano duet, composed by Philip Glass; seamlessly sensual, erotically enticing; fingers entwined, pulsating, caressing the keys, never has intimacy sounded more titillating, sublime, satiated...
ONE STAR!
For Now
..Peneflix
***For full review please visit peneflix (dot) com!!!
2
All Style and No Substance by pedsarq
This is a great looking movie. Unfortunately, the script is weak and that leaves the director with few options to carry the story to the end. You'll definitely get the feeling that some of the scenes are over-comptensating with gratuitous shots of blood spattering onto flowers expressionless faces. I can't recommend this movie to anyone.
3
Virtually Suspenseless by Cinebear
Weak in the plot department, good performances by Kidman and Wasikowska, but Goode lacked the charisma for the charismatic part... Just added up to very little at the end, although artfully done. I was hoping for more.
4
Like Fine Wine, You Have To Give This One A While To Breathe. by Alon Patterson
To say this film starts slowly would be an gross understatement. At first I thought it might have been poorly edited, then minutes later I decided it was just "slow." Soon enough though, all started to become clearer. To say this film is unique would be wholly accurate. While it reminded me of horror thrillers of the late 70s/early 80s, it's unique and stands alone. Bearing the "Scott Free" logo and carrying the names of both Tony and Ridley Scott on the opening credits, one should be clued right away that all is not as it appears. That would indeed be the truth. Don't be misled though. This film is NOT for everyone. First and foremost, patience is the key. Next, one must be willing to be led, seduced into constant wonder, in order to truly enjoy this film. Finally, this one's not for the squeamish either. Given my previous admonitions, see it. You won't be disappointed.
4
Psychosexual Thriller by Jimmy George Jones
Very unusual, eerie and bizarre. All the main characters are off the wall. Reminded me of Blue Velvet and Twin Peaks. Artistic, dark, sexy, suspenseful and surreal all at the same time. Kudos to the director and cinematographer for their nigthmarish visionary flair.
4
Nature or nurture? What may make a human commit muder? by Squirrel Dude
I watched "Stoker" last week, and finally have the chance to say, I liked this movie! I had the choice to see this or "GI Joe." Speaking only for myself; I made the correct decision! This is an interesting story that unfolds. The movie's characters are played out quite good - two of the main characters are a little creepy. What makes a person commit, or want to commit violent crime (murder)? Are we born that way or do we learn it? Maybe it depends upon the person? Of course this film is merely fiction, but it's an interesting tale of human relationships (or lack of), psycho-sexual (deviant) development, and ethics/morality. Who among us is a sociopath? What secrets do some families have and hide?
4
dreamy munster family but spooky, not funny by Seric26
Lots of creepy stuff here, beautifully shot. The trick is not to take it as realism; it may all be one unfolding dream, or told by unreliable narrators, or meant to be taken symbolically. The script is not as strong as the directing or acting, though it has some great ideas that aren't sufficiently developed. But Mia Wasikowska creates an indelible screen presence. She's sort of the same as she was in Jane Eyre, but if that little girl had been spoiled rather than sent to an orphange where she was taught how to behave. Like Jane, she has a crucible to navigate against the challenges of an irascible male and an unreliable female who are, in their ways, as complicated and dark as she is. Everyone else better just keep out of their archetypal paths of collision!