You're sitting on the couch, scrolling through Netflix, and you see that thumb of a woman lying paralyzed in the woods. It looks intense. It looks moody. Naturally, the first thing you wonder before hitting play is whether your teenager—or even your younger kid who thinks they're "brave"—can handle it. Honestly, the Don't Move movie parents guide isn't just about a "PG-13" rating. It’s about the psychological weight of watching someone lose the ability to move while a killer stands over them.
That’s a heavy concept.
Directed by Brian Netto and Adam Schindler, and produced by the legendary Sam Raimi, Don't Move (2024) is a lean, mean survival thriller. It stars Kelsey Asbille as Iris, a grieving mother who encounters a stranger in the woods. He injects her with a paralytic agent. She has roughly 20 minutes before her body completely shuts down. The clock starts ticking, and the tension is basically a physical weight in the room.
What is Don't Move actually about?
If you’re looking at this from a parent's perspective, you need to know the emotional entry point. The movie begins with Iris contemplating suicide at the site where her young son died in an accident. This isn't just a "slasher" flick. It’s a movie rooted in profound grief and depression.
When the antagonist, Richard (played by Finn Wittrock), enters the frame, he doesn't start with violence. He starts with manipulation. He pretends to be a helper. For parents, this is perhaps the most "educational" but also the most disturbing part of the film—the "stranger danger" aspect is elevated to a masterclass in gaslighting.
Breaking down the violence
Is it bloody? Kinda. Is it Gory? Not compared to Evil Dead.
Because Sam Raimi is involved, people expect buckets of blood. But Don't Move is more restrained. Most of the "horror" comes from the frustration of Iris’s paralysis. Imagine wanting to scream or run, but only being able to blink. That’s the core of the experience.
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However, there are specific moments you should be aware of:
- There is a scene involving a car crash that is sudden and jarring.
- We see characters killed via stabbing and blunt force.
- One particularly tense sequence involves an elderly man being murdered while Iris watches, unable to help.
- There is some use of fire and burning.
The violence is often "mean." It’s not "fun" horror. It feels cold. If your kid is sensitive to "hopeless" situations where innocent people get hurt just for being in the wrong place, this might be a tough watch for them.
The Don't Move movie parents guide to language and themes
Let's talk about the "vibes." Sometimes a movie has zero swear words but still feels inappropriate for a 12-year-old. This movie is the opposite. It’s rated R, primarily for the intensity and the violence, but it’s not a "f-bomb" every three seconds kind of script.
Sexual Content
There is almost none. There is a moment where the killer has to carry Iris and adjust her body, which feels invasive and creepy—because he is a kidnapper—but it isn't sexualized in a traditional Hollywood way. It’s about power and control.
Drug Use
The entire plot hinges on a drug (the paralytic). While it’s not "recreational" drug use, the imagery of a needle and the loss of motor functions could be triggering for some.
The Intensity Factor
This is where the Don't Move movie parents guide really needs to emphasize the "stuttering" pace of the film. It starts slow, gets incredibly fast, and then hits these pockets of "real-time" agony where Iris is just trying to move a finger. For a kid with a short attention span, they might get bored. For a kid with high empathy, they might feel genuine physical anxiety.
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Why the "R" rating might be flexible for some families
The MPAA gave it an R for "Strong violence and language." But honestly? In the world of R-rated movies, this is on the milder side. If your teen has seen Stranger Things or the later Harry Potter movies, the visual violence here won't necessarily traumatize them.
The real question is: Can they handle the nihilism?
Richard, the killer, is a "normal" looking guy. He has a family. He talks about his wife and kids. This "suburban monster" trope is often scarier to younger viewers than a guy in a hockey mask because it feels like it could actually happen.
Technical details and "scare" stats
If you want the cold, hard facts for your household rules:
- Jump Scares: Low. It’s more about "dread."
- Total Body Count: Small, but every death feels significant.
- Runtime: A very tight 92 minutes. It doesn't overstay its welcome.
- Ending: It’s a thriller ending. It’s "resolved," but it’s not exactly "happy."
Comparing it to other Netflix thrillers
If your kids handled Hush or Bird Box, they can likely handle Don't Move. It occupies that same space of "high-concept survival." If they struggled with the cruelty of something like Squid Game, you might want to skip this one. The cruelty is more intimate here.
Survival tactics: A talking point for parents
One interesting way to approach this movie if you do let your older kids watch it is to discuss the survival mechanics. Iris has to use her environment in very creative ways because she can't use her muscles.
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It’s a movie about:
- Presence of mind under extreme pressure.
- The will to live even after experiencing great loss.
- The reality that "help" doesn't always look like a hero in a cape.
Most people get wrong that this is just another "slasher." It’s actually a character study about a woman finding a reason to fight for her life again. That’s a pretty strong theme, even if it’s wrapped in a terrifying package.
Practical steps for parents
Before you sit down with the popcorn, do a quick "vibe check."
If you decide to let your teen watch it, maybe don't make it a "solo" watch. This is a "watch together and talk about it after" kind of film. Not because it’s "educational," but because the ending usually sparks a lot of "What would you have done?" conversations.
Quick Checklist:
- Age 1-12: Hard no. Too intense, too much "mean" violence.
- Age 13-15: Parental discretion. If they like thrillers, they’re fine. If they’re sensitive, maybe wait.
- Age 16+: They’ve likely seen worse on TikTok, frankly.
Check the Common Sense Media user reviews for "Don't Move" as well. While the critics focus on the acting (which is great), the user reviews from other parents usually highlight specific triggers like the "child loss" backstory, which is often the hardest part for adults to watch, let alone kids.
When you're looking for a Don't Move movie parents guide, remember that your kid's specific fears matter more than a letter grade from a rating board. If they hate needles or have a phobia of being trapped/suffocated, this is their literal nightmare.
The film is currently streaming on Netflix. If you're unsure, watch the first 15 minutes alone. By the time the "injection" happens, you'll know exactly if your kid can handle the next hour of paralyzed tension.
Actionable Insight:
If you want to test the waters, watch the trailer with them. Pay attention to their reaction to the "paralysis" scenes. If they find it "cool" or "intense," they're probably okay. If they look visibly distressed by the lack of agency the character has, skip it and find something a bit more "action-heavy" and less "psychologically heavy."