Dickens & Rumi
Cover of Something Wicked This Way Comes

film

Something Wicked This Way Comes

1983

In a small American town, a diabolical circus arrives, granting wishes for the townsfolk, but twisted as only the esteemed Mr. Dark can make them. Can two young boys overcome the worst the devil himself can deal out?

Ages 12+Source checked

Why this age? Sustained horror atmosphere includes children in danger, threatening supernatural figures, torture, tarantulas, captivity, a decaying skeletal death, and intense peril. Family love and hope provide a reassuring resolution. This is guidance, not a safety guarantee; reading level and family context may differ.

Quick context

What parents should know

Sustained horror atmosphere includes children in danger, threatening supernatural figures, torture, tarantulas, captivity, a decaying skeletal death, and intense peril. Family love and hope provide a reassuring resolution. This is guidance, not a safety guarantee; reading level and family context may differ. Courage & resilience; strongest caution: frightening scenes.

Readiness snapshotAge guidance: 12+Main watch-out: Frightening scenes 5/5
Recommendation 4.3/5
Review depth16 scored categories16 evidence notes

Quick view

At a glance

Recommended age12+

Strongest cautions

  • Frightening scenes5/5
  • Death of a character3/5
  • Graphic injury3/5

Strongest positives

  • Courage & resilience5/5
  • Creativity & curiosity4/5
  • Good role models4/5

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What’s in it?

Death of a character3/5
Why this rating?

The villain appears to die through aging, decay, and disintegration; threatening supernatural violence and implied prior deaths add weight.

Graphic injury3/5
Why this rating?

Features imagery of magical aging, decay, and a skeleton, but avoids excessive blood.

Strong language1/5
Why this rating?

Very mild language, consistent with the film's 1980s PG rating.

Religious themes1/5
Why this rating?

Some metaphorical themes of good versus evil and light vs. darkness.

Romance1/5
Why this rating?

Minimal; the themes focus on friendship and father-son bonds.

Frightening scenes5/5
Why this rating?

A sinister carnival, devilish villain, witch, spider attack, storm, maze-like attractions, possession-like influence, and children hunted create sustained horror.

Violence3/5
Why this rating?

Fantasy violence includes attacks, pursuit, captivity, torture, impalement with a lightning rod, lightning strikes, and a villain destroyed by supernatural forces.

Checked and not flagged

No concern recorded in these categories

These categories were explicitly scored 0/5 in the published review. This is not a guarantee that every edition or reader experience is identical.

Products & advertising · 0/5Sexual content & nudity · 0/5

What’s good in it?

Courage & resilience5/5
Why this rating?

The boys and their father repeatedly face a powerful supernatural enemy, resist tempting wishes, rescue one another, and act bravely under extreme threat.

Creativity & curiosity4/5
Why this rating?

The imaginative dark-fantasy premise, magical carnival, wish imagery, storm mythology, and inventive problem-solving strongly stimulate the imagination.

Diverse representation1/5
Why this rating?

Limited in scope given the 1983 production context and setting.

Educational value1/5
Why this rating?

Based on a classic literary work by Ray Bradbury; encourages reading.

Kindness & empathy3/5
Why this rating?

Family care, friendship, rescue, and compassion help defeat the carnival’s influence and restore the endangered townspeople.

Positive messages4/5
Why this rating?

It emphasizes resisting temptation, valuing family love, accepting oneself, and using hope and compassion against manipulation.

Good role models4/5
Why this rating?

The boys confront danger and their father protects them; courage and loyalty matter more than selfish wishes, despite moments of conflict.

Family discussion

Talk about it

Conversation starters based on this title’s published content notes.

  1. What did courage look like in this story? Was being brave always the same as being fearless?
  2. Which moment felt most tense or frightening? What helped the characters handle fear?
  3. Which choice in Something Wicked This Way Comes would you have made differently, and why?
  4. Who changed the most in Something Wicked This Way Comes, and what caused that change?
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