Story
The year is 1752, and young Barnabas Collins and his parents set sail from Liverpool in England for America. The family thrives in America, becoming fishing magnates with a fishing port named after them. But when Barnabas (Johnny Depp) rejects a servant girl, Angelique (Eva Green), in favour of Josette DuPres, a beautiful woman of high standing, his world falls apart. It turns out that Angelique is a witch. She takes her revenge against Barnabas by killing his parents and Josette and turning Barnabas into a vampire. Angelique then entices the local villagers to riot, and Barnabas is buried in a chained coffin for eternity.
Over 200 years later, Barnabas’s luck changes when workmen accidentally dig up his coffin and release him from his prison. Barnabas returns to his family mansion where he finds the estate in ruins. The remaining members of the Collins dynasty, headed by Elizabeth Collins (Michelle Pfeiffer), are so dysfunctional that they need the services of a live-in psychiatrist (Helena Bonham Carter).
Barnabas moves in with his family and vows to return the Collins empire to its former glory. But his plans are thrown into turmoil when new governess Victoria (Bella Heathcote) turns out to be the reincarnation of Josette. Meanwhile Angelique is still very much alive and determined to ruin Barnabas and his family.
Themes
Vampires; the supernatural; revenge
Violence
Dark Shadows has scenes with horror violence. These are often played for comedy and include medium-level blood and gore. For example:
Sexual references
This movie has a few covert and overt sexual references and innuendoes. For example:
- A young boy tells a group of people that his teenage sister ‘touches herself’ and makes noises like a cat.
- A man tells a woman to keep her panties on. This is a way of saying she should be patient. The woman replies, ‘I’ll try’.
- Angelique talks about having ‘lots of fun’ on a desk and in a lounge chair with Barnabas.
- Barnabas talks about sucking from a woman’s diseased teat.
- A woman tells Barnabas that they could make little fish together.
- When Angelique rips open the front of her dress to show her breasts, Barnabas says, ‘Those haven’t aged a day’.
Alcohol, drugs and other substances
This movie shows some use of substances. For example:
- Men and women smoke cigarettes.
- Men and women drink wine and spirits with meals (and breakfast), at parties and in bars.
- Dr Julia Hoffman is described as always being drunk and hung over. She is always drinking and acting in a slightly drunk way. One time she takes prescription drugs, which she washes down with scotch.
- Characters smoke marijuana.
Nudity and sexual activity
This movie has some nudity and sexual activity. For example:
- Barnabas passionately kisses young women on the lips.
- Women wear low-cut tops. In one scene Angelique wears an evening gown with an extremely low-cut top. It is designed to show as much cleavage as possible.
- While alone with Barnabas, a female doctor asks him if he understands what doctor–patient confidentiality means. Then she kneels down in front of him.
- Angelique rips open the front of her dress to show her partially covered breasts to Barnabas. She lies down on a couch in a seductive way. They kiss passionately while rolling around on the floor, ceiling and walls. They smash a lot of furniture and rip each other’s clothing, although they stay partially clothed.
- Female pole dancers wearing very short miniskirts dance in cages at a party.
- Barnabas is bound and chained and lying in a coffin. Angelique wears a long evening gown. She takes off her underpants and drapes them across Barnabas’s face.
Product placement
None of concern
Coarse language
This movie has some coarse language, put-downs and name-calling.
Ideas to discuss with your children
Dark Shadows is directed by Tim Burton. It’s a comedy fantasy that targets older teenagers and adults. The movie is typical of Tim Burton and has lots of dark shadows, heavy make-up and gothic design. It is too scary for children under 13, with some scenes that might also disturb slightly older teenagers. It contains sexual references and sex scenes that you might not want your children to see.
The main message from this movie is that family and true love are the most important things in life.
You might want to talk with your children about Barnabas’s attitude towards women and relationships. Barnabas says that he only wants true love with one woman, but has casual sexual encounters.