The House with a Clock in Its Walls
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Screen for YOUR familyParent's Guide to The House with a Clock in Its Walls
The House with a Clock in Its Walls is a fantasy-horror film based on John Bellairs' 1973 novel, suitable for a family audience with a leaning towards spooky themes. The story centers on Lewis Barnavelt, an orphaned boy who discovers his eccentric uncle, Jonathan, is a warlock and their neighbor, Florence Zimmerman, is a witch. Together, they must race to find a powerful doomsday clock hidden within the house by an evil warlock before it can bring about the end of the world. The film is known for its blend of whimsical adventure with genuinely creepy and intense sequences, exploring themes of belonging, self-acceptance, and the power of embracing one's unique qualities. It is generally recommended for slightly older children due to its supernatural elements and frightening imagery.
Things to Consider
Witchcraft & Occult
Witchcraft and occult themes are central to the entire plot, with protagonists Jonathan (a warlock) and Florence (a witch) actively using magic. The storyline involves dark magic, necromancy, and demonic elements, including the accidental summoning of an evil warlock and references to demons and Satanic imagery. This content is pervasive and forms the foundation of the film's conflict.
Lewis accidentally performs a 'necromancy spell' in a cemetery from a forbidden book of dark spells, leading to the summoning of the evil warlock Isaac Izard. The film features numerous occult symbols, disturbing images in spellbooks, and references to Satan, including a 'Satan doll' and a picture depicting 'arms around Satan in an embrace.'
Scary & Intense Content
The movie is noted for pushing its PG rating with frequent scary and intense scenes. This includes numerous jump scares, loud noises, and disturbing visual imagery such as reanimated corpses, unsettling magical transformations, and attacking animated objects. These elements have reportedly caused distress in younger audience members, indicating a higher level of intensity than typical PG fare.
Anti-Christian Themes
The movie contains strong anti-Christian themes due to its central focus on explicit witchcraft, sorcery, necromancy, and frequent occult symbolism. While some reviews suggest a 'good versus evil' narrative, the extensive inclusion of demonic references, Satanic imagery, and the active practice of magic by protagonists can be highly problematic for Christian parents. The film normalizes the use of magic and depicts communication with the dead.
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Additional Context
Best For Ages
The film is rated PG by the MPAA and is generally recommended for ages 9 and up. This recommendation is due to its pervasive supernatural themes, instances of mild violence, and numerous scary and intense scenes that may be too frightening or disturbing for younger children. Parents, educators, and even some viewers suggest it pushes the boundaries of a PG rating with its horror elements and disturbing imagery.
Good to Know
The film's director, Eli Roth, is known for his work in the horror genre, which contributes to the elevated intensity of the scary elements despite the PG rating. While the movie has positive messages about embracing individuality and the importance of family, the significant amount of occult and frightening content requires careful parental consideration, especially for children sensitive to such themes. There are no known differences across theatrical, extended, or director's cuts that significantly alter the content concerns.
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