Parents' Guide to

Secret Window

By Nell Minow, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 16+

It all feels recycled and re-recycled.

Movie PG-13 2004 105 minutes
Secret Window Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Community Reviews

See all
age 13+

Based on 5 parent reviews

7kzavala
7kzavala Adult
February 12, 2019
age 8+

I've been watching this movie since I was 5.

I'm now 17 but when I was 5 I really loved this movie. It may be too violent for some. That's why I said 8+
louisesecret
louisesecret Parent
December 21, 2014
age 16+

Scary film

I enjoyed it, I like many thrillers that Johnny Depp is in. I don't think it is suitable for my children however, not until they are much, much older (they are 12). There is far too much violence.
See all 5 parent reviews

What's the Story?

Based on Stephen King's book, SECRET WINDOW centers on horror writer Morty (Johnny Depp). Living in a remote cabin after splitting with his wife, Morty mostly mopes and sleeps. He loves his puppy and he literally won't hurt a mouse. But he can't seem to get back to work. The best he can do is delete what he has already written. And then there is a knock at the door. Enter the villain, a menacing man in a broad preacher's hat, who says that his name is John Shooter (John Turturro) and that Morty has stolen his story. All of the traditional thriller elements follow: the red herring, the seemingly ineffectual sheriff and the seemingly powerful ally, the property damage, the shocking deaths, the framing of the hero for the crimes, the creepy music, the tight close-ups that keep us from knowing what's outside the frame, and of course, the a-ha moment.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (5 ):
Kids say (15 ):

There are a couple of tingly reveals and creepy fake-outs, but overall it's just too familiar. It all feels recycled and re-recycled. Depp is always watchable and he seems to be enjoying Morty's long solo scenes as a sort of on-camera acting exercise. John Shooter tells Morty that his story needs a better ending. So does this movie.

We know what scares Stephen King: That most prolific of writers is still terrified by an empty computer screen, or, even worse, a screen with writing that is irreparably bad. And that author whose imagination has kept millions of happily terrified readers up all night is still scared of losing control of that imagination or having it disappear completely. That's what Secret Window brings to mind.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the clues that indicate what the final twist will be, including the very first scene and the scene in the bathroom. Why is it important that Morty had a past experience with a charge of plagiarism?

Movie Details

Inclusion information powered by

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.

See how we rate