Strong sexual innuendo, especially between Gomez and Morticia. The couple can be heard having an orgasm while in public. Sseveral subtle references to sadomasochism. Much of this will go over the head of young viewers.
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Knives, swords, and other medieval weapons are frequently visible, but their use is rarely seen; a torture device is used on Morticia (to her pleasure), and Pugsley is strapped into an electric chair. A hand gun is visibly pointed at Gomez. The children, especially Wednesday, use weapons and other sources of pain to try to hurt each other as part of their everyday play. In the end no one gets hurt (although it's unclear if the bad guys are dead at the end). Quick reference to child molestation relating to Uncle Fester
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There's a clear love of family and love for children, as well as the idea that weirdness/difference is something to be celebrated rather than hated or feared. But some of the Addamses' antics appear mean-spirited.
Positive Role Models
a little
Morticia and Gomez are devoted parents who love each other passionately, but the way they care for/raise their children doesn't follow the usual patterns. The kids are often rude, and their rivalry is often a bit too intense.
Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that while The Addams Family is based on the classic 1960s sitcom, it's a much darker comedy with more sophisticated humor. While the movie is fun, it contains violent images and strong sexual innuendo. It also contains scenes featuring the use of various weapons and torture devices. Parents also need to know that while the characters are likeable, their behavior is sometimes mean spirited. Wednesday Addams' sadistic nature is rather disturbing. To stay in the loop on more movies like this, you can sign up for weekly Family Movie Night emails.
I love this movie. It was a favourite growing up and I can't wait to watch with my son. The ratings are so wrong. There is no consumerism only greed. The addams' do not value wealth and they never shop. There is some violence but it is all pretend and outrageously fake. There are times when jokes are played on others and slapstick comedy with dark humour is present but there is always uncontrollable situations that cause it - and if not then there is full consent by all parties to engage in these activities. Unless it is to assert and maintain boundaries against toxic emotional abuse. There is not alot of sex, but it does depict a sex positive vibe from the women, and openly expression of passion by all in adult Consentual healthy relationships.
I think this movie is full of positive messages and role models.
Here is a list of great things about this movie.
-Feminist women, loyalty, self esteem and confidence in strange and quirky difference from mainstream.
- Sex positive, parents encouraging their children to be creative and experiment with their ideas
- love of old antique and ancient things.
- Men openly expressing love and passion in public as well as sorrow and many other emotions openly.
-standing up for yourself and not taking abuse/setting boundaries.
I have to disagree with the overall age rating. It was just fine for our 5 3/4 yr old girl and 7.5 year old boy. The sexy humour went over their heads. They had just seen the cartoon 2019 Addams Family movie earlier in the day and wanted to see this original. But for them, and mom and dad, we were all a bit bored. Yes some of the fun 'Thing' scenes amused. But the story of a long lost Uncle Fester coming back an impostor trying to steal their fortune was old and tired. It's not for the acting. I think Angelica Huston, Raul Julia, Christina Ricci and especially Christopher Lloyd did terrific jobs recreating the characters from the TV show. But the story/the script was just flat out boring.
I seem to recall watching Addams Family Values some 25 years ago and I think it would be more enjoyable because, based on my memory it was a more Wednesday and Pugsley focused story - something my kids would have been more interested in. However, I think this one killed their interest in watching any more Addams Family movies.
Having read all the other reviews here, my wife and I were all set to have conversations explaining the challenging parts to them, but perhaps my kids are more exposed to things than others because nothing in this movie phased them. They understood it was over the top pretend. We never needed to explain anything. Yes there were a few swear words. Nothing they haven't heard a thousand times before. I tried really hard to understand what scenes were the overly sexual ones that other reviewers talked about. I saw none! Yes, Gomez and Morticia flirt constantly. So what? From my 5 and 7 year old's perspective that just means they like to kiss each other a lot - which to them is yucky! I really don't see what other parents thought was overly 'sexy' here..
As a result, I'd say this movie is fine for most any kid that isn't extremely sheltered. It wasn't scary to any of us.
The only bad thing I have to say about it is, well, boring and not a movie that any of us enjoyed. It wasn't worth our collective time. So, avoid if for that reason. Otherwise its fine.
What's the Story?
Inspired by the cartoon characters of Charles Addams and based on the classic 1960s television series, THE ADDAMS FAMILY re-introduces the world to the Addamses, a ghoulishly demented family who embraces the morbid side of life. The Addams clan includes cigar-smoking, child-like dad Gomez (Raul Julia); elegant, vampish mom Morticia (Anjelica Huston); weird son Pugsley (Jimmy Workman) and somber, frighteningly sadistic daughter Wednesday (Christina Ricci). Living in the mansion with them are Grandmama (Judith Malina), Lurch the butler (Carel Struycken), and the ever-present Thing, a free-standing hand that has no body but possesses a personality of its own. After hearing Gomez pining for his estranged brother, the beloved Uncle Fester (Christopher Lloyd), the Addamses' attorney cooks up a scheme to steal the family fortune. As a result, the family gets caught up in a swindle full of misadventures and ghoulish fun.
The Addamses are a tight-knit family who clearly care about one another, but they lack the same kind of charm and generosity featured in the original 1964 TV series. The characters, while looking remarkably like their classic counterparts, are darker and at times mean-spirited. Also unsettling are the extremes to which Wednesday goes to inflict pain on her brother, including strapping him into an electric chair and joyfully flipping the switch.
While The Addams Family fails to recapture the quirky spookiness and charm of the original TV series, it's actually fun to watch. The dialogue is quick witted, and there are plenty of funny (albeit macabre) moments. But the movie also contains its share of sexual innuendo, violence, and freaky imagery that's inappropriate for younger viewers.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about family relationships. What's it like to have a close family? When does sibling rivalry go too far? How are family differences settled?
Families can also talk about the differences that occur when classic TV series are remade. Why are some things in The Addams Family the same while others are presented differently?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
suggesting a diversity update.
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.