Is Fear appropriate for children?

# Fear - Parental Guide This R-rated thriller contains strong violence and language, plus moderate sexual content and scary moments that make it unsuitable for children. The plot involves an obsessive romantic relationship that turns dangerous, depicting abusive behavior. It's best reserved for mature teenagers and adults who can handle intense psychological thriller content.

What age is Fear suitable for?

Our verdict for Fear is: Not recommended. See the age grid on this page for specific recommendations by age group.

Is Fear safe for children? | ScreenWise Parent Guide

Content breakdown

🔫

Violence

Strong

🗣️

Language / Profanity

Strong

🔞

Sexual Content

Moderate

👻

Horror / Scary

Moderate

About this movie

Type

Movie

Released

1996

Rating

Genre

Thriller

Synopsis

Nicole Walker always dreamed of being swept away by someone special — someone strong, sexy and sensitive who would care for her more than anything else in the world. David is all that and more: a modern-day knight who charms and seduces her, body and soul. But her perfect boyfriend is not all he seems to be. His sweet facade masks a savage, dark side that will soon transform Nicole's dream into a nightmare.

Cast

Mark Wahlberg

David McCall

Reese Witherspoon

Nicole Walker

William Petersen

Steve Walker

Alyssa Milano

Margo Masse

Full cast on IMDb ›

Age suitability

Under 6

Not yet

Ages 6–8

Not recommended

Ages 9–12

Not recommended

Ages 13+

Not recommended

Where to watch

🎬 Find on Amazon

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Parents also checked

Ratings based on MPAA/TV classification and TMDB metadata. Updated March 2026.
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