7.4
Where can I stream The Bad Seed legally?
You can watch it free with ads on Kanopy. You can also rent or buy it from Apple TV, Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, and Google Play Movies. All links in Where to Watch go to these licensed services.
The Bad Seed fingerprint
High energy, strong craft.
Energy
Tense and scary
- Tension8
- Scare8
- Fast Pace5
Heart
Moving and nostalgic
Much of it is about family.
- Family Dynamics8
- Pathos7
- Nostalgia7
Humor
Some dark humor and sharp wit
Not a comedy at heart.
- Dark Humor6
- Wit & Wordplay5
- Satire & Parody5
World
The mind, mystery, and family
- Dialogue Centrality8
- World Immersion7
- Rewatchability7
Craft
Standout performances and characters
- Acting9
- Character Depth9
- Intrigue9
Style
Functional look and sound
- Cinematography7
- Editing7
- Music Composition6
All energy traits
- Tension8Edge-of-your-seat suspense and pressure.
- Scare8Frightening moments and scares.
- Fast Pace5Quick tempo and momentum.
- Spectacle5Scale and set-piece grandeur.
- Adrenaline4High-energy, pulse-pounding intensity.
- Violence3Physical conflict and intensity.
Related traits
- Slow Burn6Gradual build with payoff.
- Bleakness6Grim, stark outlooks.
- Uncanny5Eerie, unsettling strangeness.
Heart
MediumMoving and nostalgic
Much of it is about family.
Emotionally, it's moving and nostalgic. Much of it is about family.
All heart traits
- Family Dynamics8Relationships and generational ties.
- Pathos7Deeply moving, empathetic emotion.
- Nostalgia7Warmth of memory and retro vibes.
- Melancholy6Bittersweet, reflective sadness.
- Catharsis5Emotional release and payoff.
- Romance4Love stories and emotional connections.
- Hopefulness4Optimism and uplifting resolve.
- Wonder4Awe, discovery, and amazement.
- Wholesome3Heartwarming, uplifting feelings.
- Coming of Age1Personal growth and self-discovery.
Related traits
- Character Depth9Rich, complex characterization.
- Bleakness6Grim, stark outlooks.
Humor
MediumSome dark humor and sharp wit
Not a comedy at heart.
Expect some dark humor and sharp wit.
All humor traits
- Dark Humor6Humor from taboo or grim topics.
- Wit & Wordplay5Clever dialogue and verbal humor.
- Satire & Parody5Sharp critique and playful imitation.
- Cringe Humor4Awkward, uncomfortable laughs.
- Physical Comedy3Slapstick and visual gags.
- Situational Comedy2Humor from everyday scenarios and setups.
- Absurdist Humor2Surreal, nonsensical comedy.
Related traits
- Eccentricity5Oddball tone and quirks.
World
MediumThe mind, mystery, and family
Its world is built around the mind, mystery, and family.
All world traits
- Dialogue Centrality8Stories driven by conversation.
- World Immersion7Depth and sensory richness of setting.
- Rewatchability7Invites repeat viewing.
- Novelty6Fresh ideas and invention.
- Ambiguity4Open-endedness and uncertainty.
Related traits
- Psychological9Inner worlds and mind games.
- Mystery8Whodunnits and unraveling secrets.
- Crime7Heists, investigation, and underworld.
- Social Commentary7Perspectives on society and norms.
- Historical6Period settings and real events.
- Class & Capitalism5Wealth, power, and inequality.
Craft
HighStandout performances and characters
The performances and characters stand out.
All craft traits
- Acting9Performance craft and presence.
- Character Depth9Rich, complex characterization.
- Intrigue9Curiosity and investigative pull.
- Direction7Vision and command behind the camera.
- Narrative Structure7Story architecture and form.
- Dialogue Quality7Sharp writing and memorable lines.
- Complexity7Layered plots and ideas.
- Non-linear Narrative1Time-shifts and structure play.
- Meta Narrative1Stories about storytelling.
Related traits
- Novelty6Fresh ideas and invention.
- Slow Burn6Gradual build with payoff.
- Fast Pace5Quick tempo and momentum.
Style
MediumFunctional look and sound
The look and sound stay functional.
All style traits
- Cinematography7Visual composition and camera work.
- Editing7Pacing and structure through cuts.
- Music Composition6Score and musical identity.
- Visual Stylization6Distinctive aesthetic signature.
- Music Centrality6The score or soundtrack shapes the emotional experience.
- Sound Centrality6Sound design as core element.
Related traits
- Dialogue Centrality8Stories driven by conversation.
- Spectacle5Scale and set-piece grandeur.
Who it's for
AdultsSolo WatchThought-Provoking
Skip it if
You scare easily
Find more like it
Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every movie. Select a row to see all of them.
About
Talk all you want about the man and the woman -- but please don't tell about the girl!
Air Force Colonel Kenneth Penmark and his wife, Christine, adore their daughter Rhoda, despite her secret tendency for selfishness. Christine keeps her knowledge of her daughter's darker side to herself, but when a schoolmate of Rhoda's dies mysteriously, her self-deception unravels.
Psychological ThrillerEvil Child TropeDisturbing RevelationsFamily SecretsMoral AmbiguityClaustrophobic AtmosphereStrong Female PerformancesNostalgic Setting
Actors
Crew
Directed by:
Written by:
Produced by:
Composed by:
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Sequels and Prequels
Media
Questions about The Bad Seed
Quick answers from GoodWatch data.
Is The Bad Seed worth watching?
64
DecentGoodWatch scoreOpinions are mixed, with a GoodWatch score of 64/100 (IMDb 7.4, Rotten Tomatoes 64%, and Metacritic 51). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.
What is The Bad Seed rated?
NRDisturbing imagery
It's rated NR in the United States. Content advisories: disturbing imagery.
How long is The Bad Seed?
2 h 9 min
The Bad Seed runs 2 h 9 min.
Do critics and audiences agree on The Bad Seed?
Critics58
Audiences71
Not quite. Audiences rate The Bad Seed higher (71) than critics (58). It's more of a crowd-pleaser than a critics' pick.
What language is The Bad Seed in?
English
It was made in English. Produced in United States.
In how many countries can I watch The Bad Seed?
33
+19
+19GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for The Bad Seed in 33 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.