Ebenezer is Director Ti West’s latest take on the classic “A Christmas Carol” story. Part horror film, part warning, Ebenezer is not a movie for kids. This unique spin is more appropriate for tweens and teens who have outgrown The Muppet Christmas Carol. Here’s what parents need to know in this Ebenezer Parent Guide.
Ebenezer Movie Parents Guide
Ebenezer Scrooge, a greedy and selfish old miser, is visited by three spirits showing him glimpses of his life in the past, present, and future, warning him of what’s to come if he doesn’t change his ways. And these spirits aren’t friendly.
Parents need to know that Ebenezer is a dark fantasy with horror and gothic elements. Don’t expect a cheery interpretation. Ebenezer features scary ghosts and jump scares, but it does teach important lessons.
Ebenezer Age Rating
Ebenezer is rated PG-13 for frightening and scary material which means some content is not suitable for kids under 13.
Language
There is one use of the word damn.
Mature Content and Violence
There is a romance in the film and characters are seen kissing.
Characters drink alcohol.
A character is seen peeing on himself from fear.
Several of the spirits are very scary looking. One spirit has white eyeballs. Another spirit is seen deteriorating. Children are seen screaming through the ribs. Some ghosts and spirits are seen coming from graveyards, trying to get into a home. Another spirit breaks into Ebenezer’s home and breaks a door. A parent is neglectful and unkind to a child. Kids are seen bullying and punching another child. There are several jump scares and dark and frightening scenes.
Is Ebenezer Appropriate for Kids Under 12?
You can expect some supernatural spirits, horror elements, decrepit bodies, and frightening jump scares. Ebenezer is not kid friendly for kids under 12 years old. There are some kids who love horror films and macabre who will be just fine. Watch the trailer to get a gist of some of the scary elements.
Ebenezer doesn’t reinvent the A Christmas Carol story, but it does add enough to appeal to a different audience. Sometimes creepy and merry can mix. Johnny Depp adds his usual humor to break up some of the darkness. And it was wonderful to see some of the supporting actors like Rupert Grint and Sam Claflin add whimsy and heart.
There is enough back story and origin to keep you entertained. Sometimes I wish they leaned in a little more to the horror elements if they were going to go there, but Ebenezer feels closer to what Dickens was trying to comment about society in A Christmas Carol. Not perfect but definitely a cautionary tale that every Scrooge should learn from. It also can be seen as a semi-redemption story for Scrooge and Depp, whether you think they deserve it or not.