Something's Rotten

Something's Rotten

Movie (1979)

The queen of an unnamed European country is being pressured by her Prime Minister to abdicate the throne in favour of one of her sons. But she wrestles with the question which son, the older but emotionally unstable Prince Calvin or the younger but more mature Prince George, will be named as her successor. Meanwhile, a series of murders of the palace staff is being committed by an unidentified “Skulker”, whom the queen begins to suspect may in fact be one of the princes.

Crime
Drama
76 minutes
Released
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Family guidance

Ages 14+

The central premise involves a series of murders and intense themes of familial suspicion and instability. This subject matter requires a level of emotional maturity to process the darker implications of the narrative.

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Content at a glance

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Sex & Nudity

The film contains brief romantic tension and some flirtatious dialogue typical of aristocratic court dramas. There is no explicit content or nudity.

Violence & Gore

The plot centers on a series of murders committed by a 'Skulker,' involving occasional depictions of injury and suspenseful confrontations, though it avoids graphic blood or gore.

Profanity

The dialogue occasionally features mild language such as 'd*mn' and 'h*ll' (approximately 5-8 times), used primarily to express frustration among the palace staff and royalty.

Alcohol, Drugs & Smoking

Social drinking of wine and spirits is depicted as part of the royal environment and formal settings. There is no focus on substance abuse.

Frightening Scenes

The mystery surrounding the 'Skulker' creates an atmosphere of psychological tension and dread. The uncertainty regarding the identity of the killer provides consistent suspense.

Key Insights

Quick summary and important considerations

This is a dramatic story about a royal family facing difficult choices and a mystery that tests everyone's trust in each other.

Content Warnings

Serial murder
Domestic tension

Detailed Analysis

In-depth insights for parents and educators

What Parents Need to Know

The film focuses on a series of staff murders, which establishes a tense and potentially frightening environment. Parental guidance is advised due to the bleak nature of these crimes and the focus on a character suspected of being a killer.

What Kids Can Learn

Viewers can gain insight into the ethical dilemmas involved in public life and the importance of objective evaluation over personal bias.

Key Topics Discussed

Succession
Suspicion
Family betrayal

Why Parents Might Like It

The movie provides an intriguing, low-stakes look at royal political drama and mystery-solving within a confined setting.

Positives & learning

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Positive messages

The narrative encourages deep reflection on the consequences of leadership and the weight of familial duty.

Role models

Characters struggle with complex emotional burdens, providing a realistic look at how internal conflict influences decision-making under pressure.

Representation

No diverse representations indicated in available information.

Learning

Offers basic exposure to concepts of royal legacy and political succession.

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