Is Madame Web safe for kids? Is Madame Web OK for kids? Read the Madame Web Movie Review | Safe for Kids?, an honest parents guide and mom review of the all-new Sony/Marvel superhero film Madame Web 2024, starring Dakota Johnson, Sydney Sweeney, and Isabela Merced. No spoilers! #MadameWeb May contain commissioned links.
Madame Web Movie Review | Safe for Kids? Parents Guide
What does another spider-inspired superhero and Valentine’s Day have in common?
Apparently a Sony/Marvel movie.
Director SJ Clarkson is feeling the love this Valentine’s Day with a genre change from the usual Marvel superhero origin story to an intense suspense thriller with spider like features (maybe in hopes of catching the Spider-Man/Sony success vibes?). As one of the veteran female Marvel directors known for Marvel’s Jessica Jones and The Defenders television mini series – there’s hope that feminized energy can give Marvel the boost it sorely needs to stay relevant. But can this web of thrills wow fans with a renewed love for Marvel superhero films?
Or are we in for Fifty Shades of *BLEEP*?
In this Madame Web Movie Review | Safe for Kids?, I’m breaking down the visuals, the story, a full PG-13 age rating explanation for violence, adult themes and language, and what kids’ age recommendation is suggested to watch in this new 2024 Madame Web parents guide to the new Sony Pictures and Marvel Studios’ live action suspense thriller film. A no-spoiler parent review of Madame Web 2024, is this the final Marvel superhero film that breaks the spider’s web?
Or can Sony pull off two successful spider hero franchises?
The Visuals
Visually speaking Madame Web is turning – and turning – and turning. Taking a page turn (*slaps knee*) from Spider-Man franchise this Marvel film at least brings so visual interest and creative liberties to the screen.
Though I can’t say that all of the CGI and special visual effects were successfully pulled off. Definitely some questionable CGI choices were made in the overall design of Madame Web’s character and powers. At times Madame Web is overstimulating between bright flashes of light, twisting camera movements, and what feels like a constant blinking sensation on screen. But certainly the CGI is not worse than say Aquaman 2.
Photosensitivity Warning. For viewers prone to epilepsy and photosensitivity, there are multiple scenes with dizzying and fast spinning camera movements that could be nausea inducing for some. Bright flashing and/or strobing lights and CGI special effects are used to visually simulate Madame Web’s powers and lights also flash on subway cars. I would warn those prone to seizures to proceed with caution.
The Story
Director S.J. Clarkson (Marvel’s “The Defenders” and “Jessica Jones” television series) returns to direct Madame Web in an all-new suspense thriller film Marvel superhero origin story – in a Sony switch from the usual superhero genre. Marvel’s Madame Web 2024 stars Dakota Johnson (“Fifty Shades of Grey” franchise) as heroine Cassandra Webb, alongside co-stars Sydney Sweeney (HBO’s “Euphoria“), Isabela Merced (“Dora and the Lost City of Gold“), Celeste O’Connor (Amazon’s “Selah and the Spades“), and Tahar Rahim (“Napoleon“).
Based on the Marvel comic book character and the Spider-Man spin-off, Madame Web unveils the origin story of Cassandra Webb – and how she ultimately discovers and harnesses her superpowers of seeing the future. Sounds like a cool premise. Until you watch the story unfold before your eyes.
Director S.J. Clarkson seems to have a major problem with showing the audience how Madame Web’s superhero-ness works. Between choppy and constantly overstimulating visuals, confusing flashbacks and flashforwards, and an underused star actress at Sony’s fingertips – this messy web unravels fast. And not in a good way.
Throw in a weak villain, awkward teen sidekicks, and a huge void of humor – you have action and thrills that feel forced. Superpowers that can’t translate on screen and characters that are cringe-y and unrelatable. But wait! It gets worse…
Madame Web PG-13 Rating Explained
Is Madame Web safe for kids? A Marvel suspense thriller rated PG-13? Should parents be concerned? It’s no secret that I am highly skeptical of all MPAA ratings (um hello, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker not disclosing any language??). And as we know, not all movie and TV age ratings are the same. As a parent, it’s been rather heartbreaking to witness how ratings have shifted over the years with a G-rating no longer an option to help guide parents.
PG ratings now oscillating between Turning Red intense to Christopher Robin calm, and even PG-13/TV-14 age ratings teetering on the edge of R or MA ratings (Moon Knight and Werewolf by Night, I see you!), there’s a wide range between the age of 0-14 years old for parents to consider. Having fully disclosed parent guidelines can help determine if a movie or show is kid friendly – and safe for the whole family to watch together.
Why is Madame Web rated PG-13? In this Madame Web Movie Review | Safe for Kids?, this 2024 suspense thriller superhero origin film from Sony Pictures and Marvel Studios is rated PG-13 for “violence/action and language.” With film and TV ratings also unpredictable these days, having fully disclosed parent guidelines can help determine if a movie or television show like Madame Web is kid friendly. Is Madame Web too scary for kids? Is Madame Web not for kids? Let’s breakdown that PG-13 age rating in this Madame Web parents guide.
Violence/Suspense. Gun violence including gunshot wounds, injuries, and death are common. Expect hand-to-hand combat (including choking and sounds of broken bones), multiple chase scenes, and vehicular accidents through New York City. Peril and jump scare suspense is overall mild. Also expect lots of possible medical trauma as well – including ambulance and hospital scenes and the presence of medical equipment and devices.
Blood and gore are overall minimal to moderate. Some facial deformities and wounds present. Death is a common occurrence including animal violence and death.
Adult Themes. There is one scene with mild alcohol consumption – including beer bottles. No drug content. One verbal reference to a “psych ward.” Toilet humor includes one line referring that a character “peed outside.”
Sexual innuendo is present in Madame Web. There is kissing between characters and inferred “sleeping together” scene where a woman is seen wearing a bra only. No full nudity. One scene of a woman giving birth – nothing is shown.
Language. Does Madame Web have a foul mouth? Well… Foul language phrases and swear words include: 2 “@sshole,” 1 “@ss,” 4 “sh!t,” 1 “b!tch,” 1 “g-d d@mmit,” and 2 “H-E-double-hockey-sticks” which is surprisingly very low for a Marvel film.
Milder bad language phrases and insults in Madame Web include: “dumb,” “freaky,” “freaking,” “J-sus,” “g-d,” “oh g-d,” and “oh my g-d.”
Madame Web Age Rating for Kids
With a runtime of 1 hour 54 minutes, this Madame Web 2024 film runs a short for what I would expect for a Marvel superhero film. But the overall lack of superhero moments and positive life lessons for kids – Madame Web is not what I would call kid friendly.
Even with car chase scenes and multiple scenes depicting violence, Madame Web is a suspense thriller Marvel film that’s actually a little light on the superhero action department. Almost campy and cliché, the lack of exciting sequences for kids and multiple flashforward scenes may leave kids feeling confused, antsy, and/or bored.
Madame Web is most comparable to Marvel’s Secret Invasion, and SJ Clarkson’s previous Marvel series: Jessica Jones and The Defenders.
This 2024 Marvel suspense thriller superhero origin film from Sony Pictures is rated PG-13 for “violence/action and language” by the MPAA.
No, there are no mid credit scenes in Madame Web. If you decide to sit through this Marvel film, you can immediately exit when the credits start to roll.
Based on my Madame Web parents guide and mom review above, I would not recommend Madame Web to kids younger than the age of 10-11 years old.
With some language and multiple scenes depicting violence/suspense, Madame Web is a Marvel superhero film that is more like an old school DC film than a 2024 Marvel release. I advise parents to prescreen the film for language and violence.
Considering the full PG-13 age rating breakdown above, this parent movie reviewer would not recommend Madame Web to kids younger than the age of 10-11 years old. This Madame Web PG-13 rating is overall light for a 2024 Marvel superhero film. But confusing plot points, overstimulating visuals, lack of superhero action, a weak villain, and the critical thinking needed to understand the flashforwards – you and your child may benefit from skipping out on this Marvel disappointment.
The Overall
Since when did the new Marvel become the old DC? A useless villain. An underused star actress. A pointless plot. And the most disappointing ending I’ve seen in a long time. I haven’t been this upset over a superhero film since the old Batman & Robin days (*cringe*).
Honestly, I have no idea where Sony thinks they’re going. Another spider-induced but weak franchise? Or does the director have a serious vendetta against the Madame Web comic books?
Either way I’m sad to report that Madame Web is 100% ABSOLUTELY the worst Sony/Marvel film ever made. Worse than Eternals, Thor: Dark World, and Iron Man 3 combined (yes, I am making the MCU and Sony/Marvel comparison). Don’t fall for the dark web of deceit. Skip this movie and hold onto the old Marvel glory days. This is Fifty Shades of Messed-Up.
Follow Madame Web on social media:
- Website: https://www.madameweb.movie/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MadameWeb
- Twitter (“X”): https://twitter.com/MadameWeb
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/MadameWeb
- #MadameWeb
Looking for more parent movie reviews and TV series reviews like Madame Web Movie Review | Safe for Kids? Check out these popular review posts:
Madame Web, the all-new superhero origin film from Marvel Studios and Sony Pictures flashes into theaters starting Valentine’s Day Wednesday February 14, 2024. Will your family be watching?
I was invited to screen Sony Pictures and Marvel Studios’ new suspense thriller superhero origin film Madame Web 2024 in exchange for this Madame Web Movie Review | Safe for Kids? Parents Guide. All photos courtesy of Sony Pictures. Be sure to follow Raising Whasians for more movie updates, celebrity interviews, entertainment and behind-the-scenes info!
Chas says
Your inability to comprehend the difference between a marvel cinematic movie and a Sony Pictures movie really just voids out your whole review. The fact part of your review is questioning the direction of marvel when this picture has nothing to do with their universe because it’s a Sony film just makes this whole review embarrassing. Do your research.
christie says
Thank you for your care, concern and most importantly your pageview for this movie review. Not here to argue your very strong and what seems to be an angry standpoint over the distinction between Sony/Marvel and MCU. You’ll notice that nowhere in this Madame Web review do I ever mention MCU. Yes, I know this is actually produced by Sony. I compare my Madame Web assessment to MCU film because you’ll notice that I actually write these reviews for parents, who are looking to see if Madame Web is ok for their kids to watch. I therefore choose movies that maybe their kids have seen versus say a Morbius. If MCU and Sony/Marvel films have never been compared before, then congrats. You may be witness to one of the first.
Filboid says
I just wanted to let you know that this movie, along with other Spider-man spin-offs like Venom or Morbius, are produced by Sony – not Marvel Studios. Sony owns the film rights to Spider-man, and only have a deal with Marvel Studios to let them use him in their films.
So when you say Marvel movies have gotten bad, then lump it in with Eternals, Thor: The Dark World, and Iron-man 3, it actually isn’t related to any of those. This movie is not part of the MCU, nor will the upcoming Kraven movie.
I only come here to say this because that’s the quote being used on Rotten Tomatoes.
christie says
Thank you for your care, concern and most importantly your pageview for this movie review. You’ll notice that nowhere in this Madame Web review do I ever mention MCU. Yes, I know this is actually produced by Sony. I compare my Madame Web assessment to MCU film because you’ll notice that I actually write these reviews for parents, who are looking to see if Madame Web is ok for their kids to watch. I therefore choose movies that maybe their kids have seen versus say a Morbius. I do compare Madame Web to MCU films, because that is more likely the films that kids have seen. I have clarified to say “Sony/Marvel.” But honestly, kids will only care that Marvel is attached to the film and the character – not Semantics.