That 12/13 year olds shouldn’t be watching Scream?

[Mull]

How would you feel if your DD (13) went to a birthday party and they watched Scream, an 18 rated film? This was with full knowledge of the birthday girl’s parents.

DD has never even watched a 15, let alone an 18. I looked on common sense media which suggests it’s 16+. I watched the film years ago and remember it being quite funny (slasher parody?) but also scary and gory.

I’m furious about it but DH thinks I’m over reacting a bit. I’m biased as watched a lot of films I shouldn’t have when I was too young (IT, Chuckie and Silence of the Lambs spring to mind) and had nightmares for years.

Should I let it go or speak to the parents? DD doesn’t seem bothered by it, but I am!

Yes, I agree, I won’t. Still annoyed though.

I love horror movies I've watched them since I was little 😊 but it depends on your child if their scared of them then don't let them watch ❤️

I have a sensitive child that age and she would have found it difficult. I'd expect it to be discussed in advance until around age 14

I agree op not on

My DD wants stranger things she's just 13 I've said no

I agree with you and it's a no from me.

If she has a smartphone she probably sees far worse on daily basis.

Absolutely fine. I watched scream at 11/12 ish.

It's pretty cheesy as far as slashers go. I think it was most of my groups first horror film.

Wow that's quite disturbing. I watched horror films as a young teen - loved them - but never wanted to see the Saw films. Anything involving torture I can't deal with.

OP I think you need to let this one go for now unfortunately.

Well it is mysogynistic, and purposefully so. It’s not glorifying misogyny, it’s shining a light on just how shit misogyny is and how it’s been used in films (particularly horror) for decades

I wouldn't show it to someone else's children if their parents hadn't okayed it, but the movies are goofy more than scary. And they are one of the very few "adult" franchises/movies about teens that are very low on sexual content. We watch a lot of movies from the 70s, 80s and 90s and the amount of outright sexual stuff in even kids movies is weird, like the blowjob ghost in Ghostbusters.

I’m surprised scream is an 18.

But I think the parents should have checked.

Scream is the slasher, Scary Movie is the parody slasher. I think some people are thinking the latter rather than the former

My daughter and her friend are 13 and on Halloween had a sleepover and wanted to watch a scary film. I thought about Scream as I remember it being more funny than scary when I watched it back in the 90s so thought it was probably one of the more suitable ones. But I googled and saw it was 16+ so it was a firm “no”. They didn’t end up watching anything in the end.

Ha ha so did I! Also Nightmare on Elm Street and Poltergeist which might look tame now but were scary at the time.

I wouldn't be happy. I know my 14 year old wouldn't be ok watching a horror. I think she might actually say if she was in that position. But I think most teens wouldn't want to say if they were uncomfortable watching. It feels like a situation where no one has been given the opportunity to consent. Not the parents. Not the kids.

I think you should raise it with the parents - the age guidance is there for a reason. They're either of the view that their DD is very mature, and don't care about the impact on other kids in their house, or they're trying to be cool.

I saw Jaws in a friends house at 12 and really was terrified, only scary film I've ever watched. Looking back it was totally off for my friends parents to suggest we watch it.

These parents are pretty much guaranteed to have alcoholic drinks at the their DDs next birthday party - so if the result is that your DD isn't invited to sleepovers in that house again, that's not the worst outcome.

Scream is a parody, it was early meta as the characters have all seen slasher films and discuss the stupid things slasher film victims do. It plays it both straight and comedic and the first two, in particular, do a pretty great job of having some real tension and tragedy, mixed with clever humour and pop culture that dated in all the right ways.

Scary Movie is just stupid, as it's not really possible to parody a parody. Actual parody requires use of satire and irony, along with humour. Scream has all in spades, Scary Movie has none of the former two. Instead it resorts to extensive sex gags throughout and isn't just boring but is actually much more unsuitable for 12/13 year olds.

In what way?

Oh wow I absolutely love the Scream movies but I don't think they are remotely suitable for a group at that age.

There's no point saying anything now but I'd be wary of trusting those parents going forward.

My ASD daughter is very sheltered from mainstream media, not necessarily by our choice but because her special interests are nothing to do with TV or film. She would be really upset watching that so I think it very much depends on the kid and how much they've already been exposed to.

The point is the other parents in this instance didn't know your child and how much they had already gotten used to in terms of film gore. So they are very unreasonable to make assumptions. Just because some kids would be fine with it doesn't mean they all will and they should have asked!

My daughter would have been fine at that age, but I do think the parents ought to check with you first - I would and I am a fairly liberal parent compared to lots of Mumsnetters.

Are you 100% certain your dd didn't tell the hosts that she had checked with you and it was fine.

Just maybe ascertain what did said to the hosts before you rush in.

If she has lied about you letting her watch films like this, then you phone to parents there is real potential for causing her huge embarrassment socially (although she shouldn't have lied - but maybe deal with that amongst yourselves and don't involve the other family).

I think you need to watch them, as clearly you haven’t.

Meh, it's not that bad!

I think some people are commenting on how they now view Scream looking back with rose tinted specs.
First time I saw it I was scared and I was in my 20s. Now I consider it clever as I know all the references to prev horror films and it's predictable horror.
No way would I let my nearly 14 year old watch it. Maybe when she's 15 and no longer terrified of everything. Whilst I appreciate all children are different- why would anyone want their 13 yr old watching this? I'm happy to not be the "cool mum", thanks.

I was about to at age when it came out. We all watched it. We were all fine. It’s more on the comedy end of horror, really.

I think it depends on the kid though. I was allowed to watch basically anything. Twin Peaks, X-Files, serious horror a because my parents knew I loved that stuff and would not be overly scared. My sister, on the other hand, was not because even kids shows like Round the Twist scared her.