Parent reviews for Where the Crawdads Sing (2023)

This is my personal opinion because I am easily triggered by abuse of all kinds and there was a lot of that in this movie. It really was an excellent story line but I think it should be rated R because of some of the content. It has a lot of sex scenes, violence, abuse, and what really bothered me was it had a rape scene- and two debatably almost rape scenes. I would absolutely not want my kids watching this until they are adults. I’m 25 and it was a bit too much for me. I rate it really good because it was a very good movie. Just absolutely not appropriate for younger ages.

Educational value

Too much violence

Too much sex

I really liked this but it simply isn't suitable for kids. There's multiple graphic scenes such child abuse, abuse, rape, sex, dead bodies, and violence that are too mature and inappropriate for kids.

Great messages

Too much violence

Too much sex

Too much swearing

Movie was phenomenal for adult audience… I would not recommend for anyone under 17. It should have been rated R. They did not hold back and show what is essentially a rape scene from start to finish alongside spousal and child abuse and other violence. Not something a middle schooler should be exposed to and I’m hesitant to even take my younger high schooler (took my college kid and high school senior first thankfully). I’d recommend reading the book (which is rated 17+ by many book review sites) before taking your kids and understanding that they held nothing back in the movie.

Too much violence

Too much sex

I read the book and liked it. It had some parts I didn’t like and had to skim over. The movie was good and true to the book. Common sense says there is a scene or two that shows bare backs, but I also think it’s important to note that it does have a scene where Kya and Chase first have sex. It’s actually the scene that shows the least, but you know it’s happening. So just keep that in mind. And of course there is the abuse from the father and Chase. That was hard to watch. It’s definitely for a mature audience. Overall, great story and beautiful scenery. I love the North Carolina coast.

Too much violence

Too much sex

I am only being generous with two stars because I do adore the main characters’ love for nature but thats about it. This is not for kids. I was extremely triggered but the amount of rape scene that the producers or whoever idc that decided that this would be just great for 13 year olds!!! awesome sounds like grooming to me. Sex scenes are unnecessarily extended and the plot is messy and the move itself is beyond long.

Too much sex

Don't know why anyone would choose to watch this kind of inappropriate material in their home OR in the theater. So sad that this is what our world calls entertainment. I know the book was all the rage.....but I fail to see why. DON'T WATCH!

Too much violence

Too much sex

Great performances and beautiful movie - for adults. Both of my kids chose this over other, more age-appropriate movies, and I felt ok after briefly seeing the age recommendations on Common Sense. However, I'm here to say this is NOT for anyone under 14/15. There is a lot of sex, not just suggestion of it. My kids (14 and 11) and I have seen many PG13 movies and 14+ TV series with intimations and discussions/jokes about sex. It's lighthearted and some of it goes above my youngest child's head. Because it's so light, I am happy to explain. However, this movie includes sex in a way that is very adult and, in some cases, violent. It was really uncomfortable to be forced to discuss domestic violence, child abuse and neglect and rape from a single PG13 movie. While these are necessary discussions, I did not expect to have to explain so much from this single movie that seemed to market toward female empowerment. According to other parents' views and those who have read the book, it should have been rated R. I'm a pretty lenient parent with this stuff but if I could go back, I would not choose to watch this with my kids at this point, particularly my youngest.

Too much violence

Too much sex

This movie was great!!! I had been looking forward to this movie ever since I saw the preview. I took my 12-year-old daughter and some of her friends to it in the theater. There is some mild language and some questionable decisions made by Kya (the main character) but that is to be expected lol. I truly do think that it is ok for age 12 & up, but it really does depend on the maturity level of the child. 10/10 RECCOMEND!!!

Great messages

This is an excellent movie for someone over 18, but should be rated R. It includes a fairly graphic rape scene, loosing virginity graphic scene and multiple implied sex scenes. I would never want my 13 year old being exposed to this content.

Too much violence

Too much sex

This movie is phenomenal. If you read the book, you will be pleased with how the film turned out. The acting is great, the storyline is amazing, just an all-around intriguing film. It definitely is not for kids though. There is a ton of depicted abuse, including a rape scene. (Not explicitly graphic, but it is made very obvious what is happening.) They do briefly show a dead body, as it is a murder mystery, after all, but it’s not gory. It’s definitely an intense film and some things can be jolting if you aren’t expecting them, like someone who hasn’t read the book. Overall, I thought the film was one of the best I have seen recently, but should be age restricted past what it’s rated in my opinion.

Educational value

Great messages