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Trailer

The Bad Seed

1956Movie2 h 9 minNR

DramaHorror
64
DecentGoodWatch score
IMDb7.4Metacritic515.6Rotten Tomatoes64%82%

A gripping, tense drama movie about the mind and mystery, with standout performances and characters.

Good for thought-provoking · adults · solo watch

Skip it if you scare easily

Where to watch

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Not for laughs or comfort.

Movies with

Story

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.

Feels like

  • Psychological Thriller
  • Evil Child Trope
  • Disturbing Revelations
  • Family Secrets
  • Moral Ambiguity
  • Claustrophobic Atmosphere
  • Strong Female Performances
  • Nostalgic Setting

Cast

18 of 18

Crew

Directed by
Mervyn LeRoy
Written by
John Lee Mahin, William March
Produced by
Mervyn LeRoy
Music by
Alex North

Everyone

Pick a department, or search for a name or a job (“editor”, “stunt”).

Facts

September 12, 1956 · 2 h 9 min · NR

Released
September 12, 1956
Runtime
2 h 9 min
Age rating
NR
Content
Disturbing Imagery
Genres
Drama, Horror, Thriller
Original language
English
Made in
United States
Budget
$1 million
Available in
33 countries

Q&A

4 questions, like "Where can I stream The Bad Seed?"

Questions about The Bad Seed

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream The Bad Seed?

PhiloKanopy

In the United States, The Bad Seed is free with ads on Philo and Kanopy. You can rent or buy it from Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home. It also streams in 1 other country.

Is The Bad Seed worth watching?

64
DecentGoodWatch score

Opinions are mixed, with a GoodWatch score of 64 (IMDb 7.4, Rotten Tomatoes 64%, and Metacritic 51). Audiences rate it higher (71 out of 100) than critics (58).

Will The Bad Seed scare me?

Not scaryTerrifying

Yes, it's frightening: scares are rated 8 of 10.