Dickens & Rumi
Cover of There's Something Wrong with the Children

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There's Something Wrong with the Children

2023

Margaret and Ben take a weekend trip with longtime friends Ellie and Thomas and their two young children. Eventually, Ben begins to suspect something supernatural is occurring when the kids behave strangely after disappearing into the woods overnight.

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At a glance

Recommended ageNot listed

Strongest cautions

  • Death of a character5/5
  • Frightening scenes5/5
  • Violence4/5

Strongest positives

  • Courage & resilience4/5
  • Creativity & curiosity3/5
  • Diverse representation2/5

What’s in it?

Death of a character5/5
Why this rating?

Several apparent or confirmed deaths drive the plot, including the children, Ellie, Thomas, and possibly Ben; grief and fear are prominent.

Graphic injury3/5
Why this rating?

Features depictions of injuries and the aftermath of fatal encounters.

Strong language3/5
Why this rating?

A moderate level is plausible for this horror film, but the supplied passages contain no direct dialogue or profanity examples.

Romance2/5
Why this rating?

An adult couple goes on a romantic date, but romance is peripheral to the horror story.

Frightening scenes5/5
Why this rating?

This is sustained supernatural horror featuring a sinister cave and well, possessed or altered children, menace, pursuit, and psychologically disturbing behavior.

Sexual content & nudity1/5
Why this rating?

Adult relationships and a romantic date are present, but the supplied plot contains no sexual activity, sexual jokes, or nudity.

Alcohol or drugs2/5
Why this rating?

Ben takes mood stabilizers, and the children put pills into Thomas's drink; substance use is plot-related rather than recreationally glamorized.

Violence4/5
Why this rating?

Repeated attacks include a shovel assault, accidental killing, struggles, a severe injury, attempted attacks, and a vehicle attack against the children.

What’s good in it?

Courage & resilience4/5
Why this rating?

Margaret and others confront frightening supernatural danger and act under extreme pressure, including attempts to escape and protect themselves.

Creativity & curiosity3/5
Why this rating?

Presents a standard but eerie supernatural horror premise.

Diverse representation2/5
Why this rating?

The ensemble appears to include some racial and cultural variety, but the excerpts provide limited evidence about representation or character development.

Kindness & empathy1/5
Why this rating?

Kindness is largely absent due to the supernatural corruption of characters.

Positive messages2/5
Why this rating?

The story raises themes of trust, parental responsibility, manipulation, grief, mental health stigma, and surviving coercive supernatural threats.

Good role models2/5
Why this rating?

Characters are shown in high-stress, deteriorating circumstances, often acting impulsively.

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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. How did the story approach death or loss? What helped the characters cope?
  3. Which choice in There's Something Wrong with the Children would you have made differently, and why?
  4. Who changed the most in There's Something Wrong with the Children, and what caused that change?
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