The Exorcist: Believer (R)
Age 16+
Sequel to demon-possession classic has violence, blood.
“The Exorcist: Believer” is the sixth movie in the famous demon-possession series that began with 1973’s classic “The Exorcist.” It feels a little like a cash grab, but it’s also skillfully made, with fine attention to detail and performances. Violence is intense and includes young girls in peril, deaths, a woman being stabbed in the eyes, lots of blood, a head twisted around backward (resulting in a broken neck), scary demon faces, jump scares, unsettling/creepy moments, characters being hit or hurled across rooms, scratches on skin, mangled fingernails and toenails, vomiting, and more. There’s a tender kiss, a rude sexual gesture, a young girl appearing to touch herself sexually, an examination related to potential sexual assault, and dialogue about pregnancy and abortion. Sporadic language includes uses of “f---,” “c--t,” “son of a b----,” “damn,” “hell,” “whore” and “oh, my God.” Characters share whiskey in one scene. (111 minutes)
Goosebumps (TV-14)
Age 11+
Fun, nostalgic scares may be too spooky for some kids.
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“Goosebumps” is a scarier, more mature version of the same-named 1990s series. It’s about a demon seeking revenge by inhabiting the body of a high school’s new English teacher (Justin Long). While there’s no extreme horror or gore, there’s a general ominous feeling that something bad is always about to happen. The teen characters are frequently in distress, and there are jump scares, ominous music and dark scenes. Parents should consider their kids’ usual enjoyment of scary media: Some tweens and young teens will be thrilled by “Goosebumps,” while others may find that watching leads to nightmares. Other content includes underage drinking, moderate language (“a--,” “damn,” etc.), and some romance and sexual innuendo (including a verbal reference to a “porno”). Scary stuff aside, the show does have positive messages about friendships, teen romantic relationships and navigating high school. (10 roughly 45-minute episodes)
Available on Disney Plus.
The Burial (R)
Age 15+
Winning legal drama about justice vs. racist corporation.
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“The Burial” is a courtroom drama inspired by true events. Based on a real 1995 court case that was profiled in 1999 by the New Yorker, the movie stars Jamie Foxx and Jurnee Smollett as opposing lead attorneys and raises questions of racism, history, the legacy of racist historical traumas, and large corporations taking advantage of and exploiting Black people for greedy gain. Characters occasionally use strong language like “motherf---er,” “f---,” “s---,” the n-word, “a--hole,” “a--,” “b----,” “balls” and “hell.” There are references to racism, slavery and the Ku Klux Klan. A White man admits to being prejudiced against Black people, and a man suggests that another man’s grandfather probably raped enslaved people. An attorney says that his client was incredibly drunk while trying to kill himself. A corporation admits to taking advantage of Black people. People talk about how burial fields for enslaved people were covered up by Confederate monuments. Adults drink alcohol (like bourbon), and one scene shows a man with a cigar. Amid the mature content, the film features positive messages of perseverance, courage, teamwork and integrity. (126 minutes)
Available on Prime Video.
The Fall of the House of Usher (TV-MA)
Age 17+
Modernized Poe-inspired horror series is addictive but gory.
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“The Fall of the House of Usher” is a horror series that features boatloads of sex, violence, nudity and profanity. This is the bloodiest, goriest work from creator Mike Flanagan thus far; graphic, bizarre, inventive depictions of murder and violence are found throughout. A cat is stabbed, and there are potentially upsetting depictions of animal testing and surgery involving chimpanzees. Expect many make-out and sex scenes, including shots of fully nude men and women. The family at the center of the story made its fortune peddling addictive pharmaceuticals, so addiction and drug abuse are recurring themes. (Eight roughly hour-long episodes)
Available on Netflix.
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