The Sound Parents Guide – Is This Cliffside Horror Too Intense for Teens? (2025)

The Sound is a psychological horror thriller set in the treacherous heights of a long-forbidden cliff. Directed by Brendan Devane and starring Jocelyn Hudon, William Fichtner, and David Clennon, the film blends survival drama with supernatural terror.

It follows Sean, a gifted climber haunted by his grandfather’s mysterious death decades earlier, who joins an expedition that spirals into madness as a disturbing sound disrupts reality.

As hallucinations, paranoia, and violence overtake the team, Sean and Kristen risk everything to confront the source of the sound atop the summit.

With themes of psychological unraveling, legacy, and survival, The Sound delivers a suspenseful and eerie descent into fear.


The Sound Age Rating

The Sound is officially rated R for strong language and some violence, making it best suited for adult audiences.. Here’s a breakdown of what parents can expect:

Violence & Peril

There are intense scenes of peril as climbers fall, suffer hallucination-driven injuries, and turn on one another under psychological distress.

While gore is not excessive, the impact of the violence is disturbing due to the emotional and physical trauma depicted.

One climber is implied to commit suicide, and others experience fatal accidents under supernatural influence. Tension is high throughout the film, with sustained suspense and moments of jump scares.

Language

Strong language is frequent, including repeated use of the f-word, s-word, and other profanity. The dialogue reflects the high-stress, life-threatening situations faced by the characters.

Sexual Content

There is little to no sexual content in the film. Romantic subplots are absent or minimal, and the focus remains on survival and psychological horror.

Mature Themes

The film explores unsettling psychological and supernatural themes, including inherited trauma, madness, paranoia, and grief.

Hallucinations involving past deaths and distorted realities may disturb sensitive viewers. The “sound” itself is tied to existential horror and unexplained phenomena.

Is The Sound Suitable for Teens?

Ages 10–12: Not suitable. The intense psychological horror, fatal climbing accidents, and frightening hallucinations make this film far too disturbing for preteens. Its mature tone and dark atmosphere are not appropriate for this age group.

Ages 13–17: Caution advised. While some older teens familiar with horror films may be intrigued, the slow-building dread, supernatural paranoia, and violent themes can be emotionally intense and confusing. The R rating is justified due to language and psychological terror, and parental discretion is strongly recommended.

The Sound is ultimately intended for viewers 17 and up and is best approached by mature audiences comfortable with slow-burn, mind-bending horror.

What Parents Can Do

Preview the Film: Watch ahead or read detailed reviews to determine if the film aligns with your teen’s maturity level.

Discuss Mental Health Themes: The film’s portrayal of hallucinations and inherited trauma offers a chance to discuss mental resilience and how horror films handle psychological concepts.

Debrief Afterwards: If older teens do watch, encourage a discussion to help them separate reality from fiction and unpack the more disturbing scenes.


Official Trailer

FAQs

Q: What is the age rating for The Sound (2025)?
A: The film is rated R for language and some violence.

Q: Is The Sound appropriate for teens?
A: It is not recommended for viewers under 17 due to psychological horror, intense violence, and frequent strong language.

Q: Does the movie contain graphic violence?
A: While not excessively gory, the violence is intense and emotionally unsettling, including fatal accidents and self-harm under supernatural influence.

Q: Is there nudity or sexual content?
A: No. The film does not feature sexual content or nudity.

Q: Where can I watch The Sound (2025)?
A: The Sound is scheduled for theatrical release in the United States on June 27, 2025.

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