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Don't Say a Word poster

Don't Say a Word

Parents guide · ClearAge age 15+ · Official MA 15+

Movie 2001 113 min Thriller, Mystery, Crime Checked by Dan S · 21 Oct 2026
Official Rating MA 15+ ClearAge 15+

What we flagged

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Violence
Strong
Sex and Nudity
Mild
Frightening
Moderate
Language
Strong

Our take

A psychiatrist's daughter is taken while he tries to reach a traumatised patient. The hostage plot keeps a child in danger, and the criminals bring guns, beatings and strong language. We would leave this until MA 15+.

Story (may spoil tone)

When the daughter of a psychiatrist is kidnapped, he is horrified to discover that the abductors' demand is that he break through to a young woman, suffering from PTSD, who knows a secret six digit code number.

What we flagged

View all categories

Violence
Strong
Sex and Nudity
Mild
Frightening
Moderate
Language
Strong

Details

Violence Strong Kidnappers use guns, beatings, and kill threats while police and the fa…

Kidnappers use guns, beatings, and kill threats while police and the father chase them. Confrontations turn physical and the stakes stay life-or-death through the last act

Language Strong Lots of strong swearing, mostly the f-word, plus the s-word, a-word, an…

Lots of strong swearing, mostly the f-word, plus the s-word, a-word, and hell in panic and rage. Criminals and cops both unload when plans break

Sex / nudity Mild The parents hug and kiss while trying to hold their family together. Th…

The parents hug and kiss while trying to hold their family together. Their affection stays brief amid the kidnapping plot

Frightening Moderate A child's captivity and a mute patient's buried memories keep dread hig…

A child's captivity and a mute patient's buried memories keep dread high. Chase scenes and sudden threats keep the fear close for long stretches

Child peril / abuse Strong A young daughter is kidnapped and held while captors threaten to kill h…

A young daughter is kidnapped and held while captors threaten to kill her. Her fear and the parents' panic sit on screen for a large stretch of the film

Gore / death / weapons Moderate Handguns, a shotgun threat, and injuries from fights appear with some b…

Handguns, a shotgun threat, and injuries from fights appear with some blood. Gore is clearer than a soft thriller but not torture-porn graphic

Mental health Moderate A psychiatric hospital, suppressed memory, and a mute trauma survivor d…

A psychiatric hospital, suppressed memory, and a mute trauma survivor drive the mystery. Therapy pressure and breakdowns are treated as plot fuel, not a gentle PSA

Grief / bereavement Mild Old deaths haunt the patient's past and the father's terror of losing h…

Old deaths haunt the patient's past and the father's terror of losing his child. Grief mixes with urgency instead of quiet mourning scenes

Flashing lights We have not confirmed whether this version contains flashing lights.

We have not confirmed whether this version contains flashing lights.

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Talk after watching

  • A parent will do almost anything when a child is taken. Where is the line between bravery and reckless choices that put more people at risk?
  • The film links silence to old trauma. How can adults help a young person who cannot put fear into words?