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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To wonder if Woman in Black film is appropriate for 11/12 yes olds?

50 replies

Quibble123 · 14/07/2023 20:10

My 12yr old son watched woman in black at school today. I wouldn't of let him watch this at home, mainly as whilst I know he is mature and confident, I also know this sort of film would scare him. Just surprised school didn't ask us first as some children in class still only 11yrs old (yr7s). I'm probably over worrying. Just wondered what others thoughts are?

OP posts:
difficultlemons · 14/07/2023 20:16

Well I found it scary in my twenties! But I am pretty easily scared. There's some pretty disturbing scenes if I remember correctly, particularly as they mainly involve grim things happening to children.
However it's rated a 12 so 🤷‍♀️

cherrybakewell24 · 14/07/2023 20:17

I'm surprised by this I'm 33 and it scared the sh*t out of me and I couldn't sleep afterwards Grin I think technically it's a 12 though!

EvilElsa · 14/07/2023 20:18

It's an odd choice by the school. Some kids would be ok, some not. DD would be absolutely fine and love if. If they would have shown my sister at that age she wouldn't have slept for weeks. I personally didn't find it scary but I can see how it would be to some.

Junebug22 · 14/07/2023 20:21

My old school took an entire year group to see it (12 yr olds) and while very creepy and atmospheric, I wouldn’t say it required parental permission. The beauty of it is that it’s a traditional supernatural ghost story -not a silly slasher film. A lot of the scary bits aren’t anything you see but more down to suspense and the choice of music.

The opening scene is chilling though! I’ve seen it several times (I’ve used it as a media study with 15 yr olds) and it still gives me shivers. It’s right up there with The Others.

QuinnofHearts · 14/07/2023 20:33

I remember watching cruel intentions at high school!

1987syderrs · 14/07/2023 20:36

My son was 17 big strapping rugby player and he came home terrified and had to have his bedroom light on !
Daughter watched it with a friend and they were too scared to leave the cinema so Am guessing it’s not really a great choice for teenagers!
I haven’t watched it and don’t intend to .

Yunner · 14/07/2023 20:41

It's a Gothic story (which is a common topic in year 7 and will likely include other scary stories like Frankenstein or Dracula) and a Victorian pastiche. They'll have to be ready to study 19th century literature in a couple of years. It's really not an odd choice to study and not difficult to understand kids wanting to see the film adaptation.

BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 14/07/2023 20:43

Woman in Black is a common secondary school literature text, so at least the movie they are watching is somewhat beneficial educationally.

How was he afterwards?

Mumtothreegirlies · 14/07/2023 20:44

Yes it’s fine. He’s 12 years old in secondary school I’m sure he comes across much worse and more harmful things at school then women in black!

Notamum12345577 · 14/07/2023 20:44

I saw it in the cinema. It is proper scary for a 12 year old I reckon!

gogomoto · 14/07/2023 20:44

It's a 12 certificate

Prescottdanni123 · 14/07/2023 20:51

It is a 12 certificate so shouldn't have been shown in a class where some year seven students are still 11 years old. Teachers should make do with U and PG films until they reach year 8.

I found Woman in Black terrifying and I'm surprised it is only a 12. I found it terrifying.

The subject matter is pretty dark as well. Several child deaths. One was especially graphic and gory for a film that twelve year olds could be watching.

Soubriquet · 14/07/2023 20:51

Yeah that scared the shit out of me…I wouldn’t have let a 12 year old watch it and I’m pretty relaxed with films

BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 14/07/2023 20:54

Isn't it 12a?

Singleandproud · 14/07/2023 20:54

DD studied it in year 8, I watched the film as hadn't seen it to screen it as she wanted to watch it and then we watched it together during the day. She was fine with it, the scary scenes aren't that scary especially in the daylight, one girl drops an oil lamp and the impression is she goes up in flames, the worst one was a girl who swallow caustic soda and vomits blood. I probably wouldn't have let her watch it before bed but other than she enjoyed it and she hasn't seen any other horror type films.

Original poster
Quibble123 · 14/07/2023 20:56

BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 14/07/2023 20:43

Woman in Black is a common secondary school literature text, so at least the movie they are watching is somewhat beneficial educationally.

How was he afterwards?

Tbf, he's fine!! Perhaps just has an over anxious mother!! 😏

OP posts:
TimeToMoveIt · 14/07/2023 20:57

My 12 year old would be fine with it, I think it depends on the child . Like most things!

Prescottdanni123 · 14/07/2023 21:00

If he was fine then I don't think it is anything to worry about. People are scared of different things. Woman in Black terrified me but I watched the Mummy when I was 10 and loved it - never flinched, abd that is rated as a 15.

It still might not have been the wisest move on the teacher's part. Some kids in the class may have been upset by it

Cnidarian · 14/07/2023 21:01

Oh my days I saw this in the cinema as an adult and it was really scary! I'd read the book before and that wasn't so bad but the jump-scares of the film...no thank you. I wouldn't be happy at a 12 year old watching it to be honest, maybe I'm a bit soft!

User10486743 · 14/07/2023 21:03

12a just means you have to be accompanied by an adult under 12 so it was fine. It depends on the person whether they think it's scary, I personally thought the stage play was scarier and the film not at all, maybe though that was because I had already seen the play

starray · 14/07/2023 21:05

I wouldn't be happy about my child watching it at that age. I watched the 70s (?) BBC version of it, and it's one of the scariest things I've ever seen. I wouldn't want scary disturbing thoughts like that in my child's head. Some things once you see, you can't unsee. It's worrying that teenagers are studying it as a literature text because they are bound to want to watch the films.

PowerhouseOfTheCell · 14/07/2023 21:05

No way! I saw it in my late teens and had to have my mum stand outside the bathroom while I had a shower incase the woman in black came for me Blush In my defence I had an undiagnosed double chest infection and a fever of 40C

starray · 14/07/2023 21:06

Definitely not suitable for 11 year olds. A bit late now since they've already shown it to the children!

Brbreeze · 14/07/2023 21:07

I haven't actually seen the film but I went to see it in the theatre when in Yr 7 (20+ years ago!) and still talk now with schoolfriends about how it gave us nightmares for months!

Not a new thing for it to be taught in schools, although I'm not convinced it's the best idea.