The Killing of a Sacred Deer
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Where to watch: Not on major US streamers — check digital rental.
How it scared people
The vibe
Everyone talks like they're reading a deposition, which is Lanthimos's way of making an ordinary family dinner unbearable. Barry Keoghan eating spaghetti while he lays out the terms of his curse is the most frightening scene of the 2010s, and there's no monster, no ghost and almost no blood — just a rule nobody can argue with.
The Killing of a Sacred Deer (2017) Parents Guide
| MPA rating | Rated R |
|---|---|
| Runtime | 121 minutes |
| Jump scares | 2/5 — on the gentler side — it favors mood and atmosphere over hard scares |
| Gore | 2/5 — only light gore |
| Dread | 5/5 — the kind of film that follows you around for days |
| Themes | psychological distress; violent revenge |
The Killing of a Sacred Deer is rated R by the MPA. We score it 2/5 for jump scares, 2/5 for gore and 5/5 for lingering dread, over 121 minutes. Very little blood — the hard part here is atmosphere and aftermath, not graphic content. Older teens and adults — less for what it shows than for how long it stays with you.
We rate what the film does — scares, gore, dread — not scene-level content like language or nudity, which we don't track.
Before you press play
- How scary is The Killing of a Sacred Deer?
- On our intensity scale, The Killing of a Sacred Deer rates 4/10 for jump scares and 10/10 for dread. It is on the gentler side — it favors mood and atmosphere over hard scares. Expect little in the way of jump scares, but a sense of dread that builds steadily and lingers after the credits.
- How gory is The Killing of a Sacred Deer?
- The Killing of a Sacred Deer rates 4/10 for gore — expect only light gore.
- How long is The Killing of a Sacred Deer?
- The Killing of a Sacred Deer runs 121 minutes (2h 1m).
- What is The Killing of a Sacred Deer rated?
- The Killing of a Sacred Deer is rated R by the MPA. On our own scale it rates 4/10 for jump scares, 4/10 for gore and 10/10 for dread — the R tells you what it was certified, those tell you what it will do to you.
- Where to watch The Killing of a Sacred Deer (2017)?
- The Killing of a Sacred Deer is not on major US subscription streamers right now — look for it on digital rental or purchase (Apple TV, Prime Video, or your usual store).
