To let DS watch 'IT'

[Skrowten]

I really don't know what to do for the best. DS is 11. He is pretty mature. He has read a Stephen King book recently (short story collection) and has some certificate 16 video games, which I approved. He is begging and pleading to watch IT (the movie of the Stephen King book) and I am really torn. Any advice welcome!

I’m pretty relaxed about stuff like this but my first response was hell no. The most recent one or the 80s one? Either way, still no, actually. It’s too scary for an 11 year old. I probably wouldn’t even let him read the book at that age. There are some very adult themes and scenes that aren’t appropriate.

I watched the original when I was about 12. My dd said all her friends have seen the new one. I’d let her watch it but I’m too scared

I only rewatched this yesterday actually so it's very fresh in my mind. There is alot of adult themes in it (such as Beverly being sexually abused by her father) and it is quite scary. I would think 11 is way too young tbh

Have you watched it OP? I watch the old one in the 90's when I was about 12 and was far more freaked out by that than the 2017 version.

I think you should watch it alone before you decide if you want to let DS watch it.

Is he in year 6? It's a massive thing in Year 6 when they all make out they've seen it and they weren't scared.

It's bravado. I said no.

I'm pretty relaxed about films with my kids, but this would be a massive no from me at the age of 11.

My husband left the cinema whilst we were watching it. It's jumpy, creepy and has adult themes.

I suggest watching it yourself and then deciding. I'm relatively laid back, was reading Stephen King, James Herbert etc. at the same age. We watched It at the cinema, I enjoyed it but didn't jump once and didn't find it particularly scary, but I wouldn't let my child watch it

Thanks. It's the new one. I saw it in the cinema last year, just can't remember v well. Thought it was more scary than violent, but might be remembering incorrectly.

I was reading horror books from the adult library section from 8 and watching films from your sons age and have never been scared by them. But in this case I would say to wait a while. There are some mature themes going on such as the cycle of abuse and how adults fail you, not to mention the child murder. I didn't find the latest one scary at all, but there are other horror films he could watch that would be more suitable.

The book might be better. I read pet sematary at 12. Read most of King's old ones before 15.

Oh no. Not at 11 and I say this as a pretty permissive parent when it comes to horror etc.

My DD1 is 14 and watched that at 13. She'd already read it. I say this...if a child can read and understand the novel, then they're old enough for the movie.

11...nope! my younger DD likes a ghost story...she's also 11 but It is too much.

The sexual abuse part is rather disturbing. too.

Absolutely not. Guaranteed nightmares.

I would say possibly too young, aside from the sexual abuse stuff I found the beginning where Georgie gets his arm ripped off (and all the blood) quite upsetting

I suppose it depends on the child. Me and DD12 watched the new one last week together. I'd already seen it so I wasn't too concerned about the content. She enjoyed it. I wouldn't have let her watch the original as I vaguely remember there being more disturbing sexual content.

LOL. It's a no from me. Google some images of Pennywise and his teeth.

The book is far more scary than either film.

I would say no and I think I am fairly relaxed and DS 12 is quite mature. At present 18s are non negotiable in house both films and games. He is allowed most 16 games and I bet 15 films on common sense media before deciding yes or no.

vet

Agree with many posters it's not suitable. Remember that the terror is told and seen from the point of view of children so I think this makes it particularly scary.

And yes, why so much sexual abuse themed content in SKs books? Just often seems unnecessary. James Herbert books are often very explicit too. Bloody weird

An 11 years old doesn't need to see something like that. Be loving and don't let him watch a horror film

I forget how old I was when I watched the original but it scared the shit out of me, very disturbing.

But looking back, so what?

I think it depends on the child - my DS11 has watched it and really enjoyed it. I did watch it first though and then we watched it together

Thanks. It's the new one. I saw it in the cinema last year, just can't remember v well. Thought it was more scary than violent, but might be remembering incorrectly.

One of the bully kids stabs his dad in the neck, beverly kills her dad by hitting him in the head with the lid of the toilet, the bullies cut Ben with a knife...just off the top of my head