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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Would you allow your 15 year old to watch Saw???

150 replies

emptydre · 09/09/2017 01:27

It's on Netflix and she'd like to. Of course she could easily watch it if she wanted (I'm not that stupid... I was 15 once!) but it's wether I actively allow it. We normally watch stuff from there together, hence she asked.

Would you??

OP posts:

gamerchick · 09/09/2017 11:44

Depends on the kid. My daughter was a sensitive little flower at that age but my son was just as much into horror as me so I let him. It didn't traumatise him or anything.

From the sounds of it she'll probsbly enjoy it. Has she done the freddies yet? Personally I think they're worse than the saws.

Hulder · 09/09/2017 11:45

No, but at 15 this would absolutely be the sort of film you went and watched behind your parents' back on a sleepover.

Mrstrumpalot · 09/09/2017 11:47

Not a hope in hell. Why would you want your dc watching torture scenes? Personally, it's beyond me that you even need to check whether other parents would allow it, but hey it's your dd.

Saucery · 09/09/2017 11:47

Well, if she's seen The Human Centipede then Saw will be a breeze!

ReggaetonLente · 09/09/2017 11:47

I wouldn't. As you say, if she really wants to then she'll find a way, but I think the boundaries and rules at home need to be clear.

Saying that though, my mum had conniptions at the idea of me watching The Exorcist and Don't Look Now as a teenager, and when I saw them I just found them funny. Special effects and violence on TV had moved on so much since she saw them and I was pretty desensitised. Saw is pretty horrific of course, and SFX haven't moved on in the same way, but I do think we see much more violence on everyday telly now than when it was released - look at Walking Dead, Breaking Bad, Game of Thrones!!!

But the issue for me is the 18 certificate. It's literally against the law, so I couldn't condone it in my house.

SkySmiler · 09/09/2017 11:49

No way, v disturbing film

Helena333 · 09/09/2017 11:52

It's no good asking @emptydre. No-one on here will admit they would let their 15 y.o. watch SAW. In reality, most 15 to 16 year olds have seen quite a few horror and thriller movies! And the parents probably allowed it, though they'd never admit it!

I would by the way. Mine started to see these kind of films when they were 14-15; usually at a mate's house, but occasionally at home. We all watched Nightmare on Elm Street (the original,) on Halloween once, when the kids were mid teens. I, myself started watching horrors at 14-ish too. It's really not that unusual. Except on mumsnet, where the mums don't allow their kids to watch a horror movie until they're 40..

gamerchick · 09/09/2017 11:53

(Mind you, I felt the first Human Centipede movie was pretty clever and had some profound political subtext so I mightn't be in the majority here)

The second one was very well done considering he doesn't speak a word all the way through. Scarred my soul a bit. I think the HC would probably go over young people's heads a lot IMO. Just like we didn't realise the adult humour type stuff in a lot of watchings when we were kids.

I do find it slightly annoying when people blanket horror as disgusting and unnecessary though.

LanaKanesLeftNippleTassle · 09/09/2017 11:58

Well if she's already seen the Human Centipede then Saw will be a nativity play in comparison!

I have seen all the Saw films, and the Hostel, and don't really have a problem with gore/horror/torture (in the right context) but I couldn't bring myself to watch the Human Centipede, but now I think I might have to if it's has political overtones!

I would let her, but not sure about the Hostel...that was literally torture porn, and I felt v v uncomfortable with the premise, which was basically pretty students being horrifically and violently tortured for sexual kicks.

Saw is about a (admittedly very nasty) psychological game, and is an interesting commentary on the human psyche, but the Hostel??

It was just porn for sick fuckers.

AgentZigzag · 09/09/2017 12:44

'But I know someone who let their 11 year old watch it'

I know I shouldn't be but I'm shocked by that. WTF was the thinking behind that decision?? The poor 11 YO can't have understood what the film was about before they watched it, and if they did it makes whatever parenting they've had doubly disturbing, even abusive.

The gore in Final Destination and Tarantino films are quite stylized bordering on tongue in cheek, and like PPs have said, it's the psychological darkness (? malice? sadism? not sure how to put it) behind saw that makes it different.

I know they've got access to all this and more on the internet these days but you have to draw the line somewhere or you end up with no line.

balsamicbarbara · 09/09/2017 12:51

Lana: THC is not too bad. It drags at quite a slow pace and if you get your head around the concept it's more a grind than anything else. THC2 on the other hand is totally vile.

RiseToday · 09/09/2017 12:52

I do like a good slasher film, the Scream films were awesome (maybe not the last one!) or a psychological horror, Silence of The Lambs

But Saw? No, it's really awful. I hate anything torture related. I can't even watch Game of Thrones. I remember watching Last of The Mohicans when I was a teenager and the bit at the end when he is burned at the stake disturbed me for a long long time. Hostel was another one that I have tried to purge from my memory.

alfagirl73 · 09/09/2017 13:16

If she's seen the Human Centipede and FD then I can't imagine SAW would be a problem for her. I'm no stranger to horror and gore etc... but I found the Human Centipede seriously disturbing; not in the sense of being scared, it was just seriously gross/creepy. When you know the concept behind SAW - the questions it throws up - it's actually pretty interesting.

Based on what you're saying OP, I'd let her watch it. Sounds like she'd be fine with it. This thread is making me want to go back and watch it again!

Fresh8008 · 09/09/2017 13:19

You said she has watched and was ok with final destination, the human centipede then I would let her watch saw. It an old dated horror film. Not everyones cup of tea but its not a snuff film or porn.

3EyedRaven · 09/09/2017 13:27

I would.
I quite liked Saw (the first one, have seen up to 3 I think? There's loads now, I can't keep up!). Had a bit of a Seven vibe, and an actual plot unlike most horrors. Meh

3EyedRaven · 09/09/2017 13:29

As far as it being illegal, I'm pretty sure it's not at home.
Only for theatres.

Floofborksnootandboop · 09/09/2017 13:31

I'm a massive fan of horror but I've never seen saw so I couldn't really say whether I'd want my 15 year old watching it. I'm not sure at that age they would've even asked for my permission though.

stopfuckingshoutingatme · 09/09/2017 13:31

I am the same in that sex is fine - well there was a raunchy but from Dr Foster on gogglebox and I didn't change channels

But torture porn no way way not even for a 15 year old

I would explain its nasty scenes of torture and it will really upset her

You technically can't prevent her from watching in her own but hope you manage to out her off

Fresh8008 · 09/09/2017 13:35

The BBFC's cinema age ratings only apply films shown in licensed cinemas

The age rating for a DVD, video or Blu-ray explains which audience we believe the film is suitable for, and applies to point of sale or rental rather than to where the material is viewed. It is not actually illegal for parents to choose to show any material to children in the home. Merely showing an age-restricted film to underaged persons - or allowing them to see one outside a licensed cinema - is not in itself an offence.

Fresh8008 · 09/09/2017 13:40

I would explain its nasty scenes of torture and it will really upset her

But people who like horror films dont get upset by them as they are able to separate 'TV scenes' from real life. SAW is full of interesting puzzles.

puzzledlady · 09/09/2017 13:48

I love the films! But no - I wouldn't at 15 I'm afraid.

marymoosmum · 09/09/2017 13:53

It's up to you. You know your daughter, I have been watching the Saw films since before I was 18, they are very gory and violent rather than scary. If you know it won't upset her I don't see the harm. I have seen 12/15 horrors that are much scarier.

scrabble1 · 09/09/2017 14:26

Why would you let a child watch a horrendous film like that ?

CaptainMarvelDanvers · 09/09/2017 14:28

No because it's crap. If you're going to let your kid watch a horror movie at least get one which is good and doesn't rely on goriness.

Original poster

emptydre · 09/09/2017 14:32

Because it's something she likes?

OP posts:

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