Logo What's After the Movie

There's Something Wrong with the Children 2023

During a weekend getaway with friends, Margaret and Ben's peaceful retreat takes a dark turn when the children of their hosts mysteriously disappear into the surrounding woods. They return changed, exhibiting an unsettling and otherworldly presence. As Ben investigates, he uncovers a disturbing force at play, hinting at a sinister secret and threatening to unravel the familiar world around them.

During a weekend getaway with friends, Margaret and Ben's peaceful retreat takes a dark turn when the children of their hosts mysteriously disappear into the surrounding woods. They return changed, exhibiting an unsettling and otherworldly presence. As Ben investigates, he uncovers a disturbing force at play, hinting at a sinister secret and threatening to unravel the familiar world around them.

Does There's Something Wrong with the Children have end credit scenes?

No!

There's Something Wrong with the Children does not have end credit scenes. You can leave when the credits roll.

Meet the Full Cast and Actors of There's Something Wrong with the Children

Explore the complete cast of There's Something Wrong with the Children, including both lead and supporting actors. Learn who plays each character, discover their past roles and achievements, and find out what makes this ensemble cast stand out in the world of film and television.


Ratings and Reviews for There's Something Wrong with the Children

See how There's Something Wrong with the Children is rated across major platforms like IMDb, Metacritic, and TMDb. Compare audience scores and critic reviews to understand where There's Something Wrong with the Children stands among top-rated movies in its genre.


Echo Score

The Movie Echo Score

42

In terms of overall impression, the film lands in the lower‑mid range, with many reviewers citing formulaic storytelling and uneven execution while a handful note moments of effective tension and enjoyably creepy children. Critics and users alike point to predictable plot beats and generic performances, though occasional flashes of atmospheric horror and solid technical work receive modest praise. Consequently, the movie offers limited lasting appeal and modest rewatch value.

The Movie Echo Score Breakdown for There's Something Wrong with the Children

38
Echo Score

Art & Craft

In the art and craft domain, the direction is frequently described as unfocused, with several critics noting the filmmakers' inability to shape the premise effectively. Cinematography and production design receive occasional acknowledgment for competent framing, yet editing rhythms are called uneven, contributing to a bland visual experience. Overall, the technical execution falls below average, limiting the film’s artistic impact.

45
Echo Score

Character & Emotion

Character and emotion aspects receive a mixed assessment; the child actors are praised for delivering suitably creepy performances, while adult leads are criticized for generic delivery and limited chemistry. Some reviews highlight moments of compelling adult drama that add depth, yet many note a lack of nuanced development and emotional resonance. Consequently, the acting contributes unevenly to the film’s overall engagement.

40
Echo Score

Story & Flow

The story is largely viewed as formulaic, with critics pointing to predictable plot turns and a sluggish buildup toward the climax. While a few reviewers acknowledge an inventive supernatural twist and moments of genuine suspense, most cite unoriginal premises and pacing issues that dilute tension. Overall, narrative cohesion and originality are insufficient to elevate the film beyond a standard horror offering.

45
Echo Score

Sensory Experience

Sensory elements receive divergent feedback; the soundtrack and sound design are praised by some for creating an eerie atmosphere, yet other reviewers fault the overbearing synth score and cheesy jump scares. Visual style is described as competent but unremarkable, with occasional effective framing. The inconsistent audio‑visual balance results in a mixed sensory experience that neither fully engages nor detracts entirely.

40
Echo Score

Rewatch Factor

Rewatch value is limited, with many viewers describing the film as a one‑time curiosity rather than a repeatable thriller. While some note that the early midpoint offers spikes of shock that could be revisited, the overall predictability and lack of narrative depth reduce incentive for subsequent viewings. Consequently, the movie provides minimal lasting appeal for repeated audiences.

Metacritic

53

Metascore

5.6

User Score

Rotten Tomatoes
review

61%

TOMATOMETER

review

28%

User Score

IMDb

5.0 /10

IMDb Rating

TMDB

57

%

User Score

Letterboxd

2.2

From 2 fan ratings

Movie Insider

5.00/5

From 1 fan rating

Take the Ultimate There's Something Wrong with the Children Movie Quiz

Challenge your knowledge of There's Something Wrong with the Children with this fun and interactive movie quiz. Test yourself on key plot points, iconic characters, hidden details, and memorable moments to see how well you really know the film.


There's Something Wrong with the Children Quiz: Test your knowledge of the eerie twists and character dynamics in 'There's Something Wrong with the Children'.

What event causes the tension in Ellie and Thomas's marriage?

Full Plot Summary and Ending Explained for There's Something Wrong with the Children

See more

Read the complete plot summary of There's Something Wrong with the Children, including all major events, twists, and the full ending explained in detail. Explore key characters, themes, hidden meanings, and everything you need to understand the story from beginning to end.


Accompanied by their children, Lucy and Spencer, Ellie and Thomas Huerta join their friends, fellow couple Ben and Margaret Winslow, for a serene getaway in the woods, staying in neighboring cabins. The adventure takes a dark turn when, during a hike, the group stumbles upon a dilapidated building nestled within the forest. Captivated by a mysterious glow emanating from a deep hole, Lucy and Spencer find themselves enchanted and soon develop nosebleeds.

Later, Ellie confides in Margaret about the awkwardness in her marriage, which has arisen since an inebriated night involving a foursome with another couple. Meanwhile, Ben and Thomas engage in a conversation regarding their hopes of starting a family. In a generous gesture, Margaret offers to entertain Lucy and Spencer for the night, hoping to give Ellie and Thomas a chance for intimacy while allowing Ben to gain some experience in child care. However, this kind act spirals into distress as the next morning reveals the children to be missing.

Ben soon discovers Lucy and Spencer entranced at the edge of the hole. Shockingly, he witnesses the siblings leaping into the abyss. When he rushes back to report their apparent deaths, he is bewildered to find the children playing innocently outside. Confronted by Ben, Lucy gives a cryptic response that leaves him puzzled.

Ben shares his account with Margaret, asserting he saw Lucy and Spencer’s lifeless bodies, but she dismisses his claims as mere hallucinations linked to his mental health issues, which he manages with lithium. As strange behaviors manifest in the children, only Ben seems aware of their menacing antics. Tensions rise as a confrontation ensues between him and Spencer, leading to an unfortunate accident where Ben fatally injures Spencer during a struggle. Lucy, with an eerie smirk, implicates Ben when questioned by her grief-stricken parents.

Convinced that something supernatural has taken over the children, Ben insists on taking Margaret to see the bodies. To his shock, the hole is empty when they arrive. After a heated exchange where Margaret urges him to confront reality, she abandons him at the site, which soon pulsates with an unearthly glow.

Back at the cabin, Lucy persistently tries to entice Margaret into the forest. In an escalating conflict, Thomas intervenes, while Spencer unexpectedly revives on the couch just as his mother mourns. In a frantic search inside the other couple’s cabin, Margaret discovers a horrific scene where she finds Ellie brutally murdered by Spencer. In a desperate bid for survival, she barricades herself from the boy and soon glimpses Lucy morphing into a grotesque insect creature.

As the chaos unfolds, a park ranger arrives in response to the shocking murders, only to be attacked by the children. Margaret manages to conceal herself beneath a car and cleverly calls Thomas’s discarded cellphone to distract the children long enough to escape. However, she soon realizes that Ben has not escaped unscathed either, as he too shows signs of a disturbing transformation.

A struggle ensues between them, culminating in Margaret sticking a machete blade into Ben’s shoulder. Trying to flee, she is captured by Lucy and Spencer, who drag her to the ruins alongside the slain bodies of Ellie and the park ranger. Seizing a moment of opportunity as they discard the corpses into the hole, Margaret retaliates and pushes the children in as well.

Finally, Margaret races back to the cabins, where she faces Ben once more. Having survived the attack from Lucy, Thomas suddenly intervenes, tackling Ben to allow Margaret the chance to escape. After what seems like a nail-biting conclusion, she halts her vehicle to regain composure, only to find Ben standing in the middle of the road, flanked by Lucy and Spencer. Desperate and resolute, she slams on the gas, barreling toward the trio.

Uncover the Details: Timeline, Characters, Themes, and Beyond!

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Watch Trailers, Clips & Behind-the-Scenes for There's Something Wrong with the Children

See more

Watch official trailers, exclusive clips, cast interviews, and behind-the-scenes footage from There's Something Wrong with the Children. Dive deeper into the making of the film, its standout moments, and key production insights.


Official Trailer

Cars Featured in There's Something Wrong with the Children

See 3 more

Explore all cars featured in There's Something Wrong with the Children, including their makes, models, scenes they appear in, and their significance to the plot. A must-read for car enthusiasts and movie buffs alike.


Chevrolet

1995

C-Series

Nissan

2022

Pathfinder

Toyota

2010

4Runner

There's Something Wrong with the Children Themes and Keywords

Discover the central themes, ideas, and keywords that define the movie’s story, tone, and message. Analyze the film’s deeper meanings, genre influences, and recurring concepts.


evil forcepolice baseball captunneldisappeared in the woodsyoung childrendrinking beerstabbed with a macheteman killedblue denim jacketdurst beerkitchen knifewoman killedpolice womanmurder of a female police officeruniformed police womanpolice jacketdungareesfemale pedal pumpingtitle directed by femalefriendmacheteflannel jacket

There's Something Wrong with the Children Other Names and Titles

Explore the various alternative titles, translations, and other names used for There's Something Wrong with the Children across different regions and languages. Understand how the film is marketed and recognized worldwide.


יש משהו לא בסדר עם הילדים מה קורה לילדים שלי Mistério na Floresta Há Algo de Errado com as Crianças Hay algo mal con los niños 不对劲的孩子 С детьми что-то не так 아이들에게 무언가가 있다 Coś jest nie tak z dzieciakami 不對勁的孩子 Tem Algo de Errado com as Crianças Nešto nije u redu s djecom Çocuklarda Bir Sorun Var משהו קרה לילדים Su vaikais kažkas negerai Нещо не е наред с децата Les Enfants sont bizarres เกิดอะไรขึ้นกับเด็กๆ

Similar Movies To There's Something Wrong with the Children You Should Know About

Browse a curated list of movies similar in genre, tone, characters, or story structure. Discover new titles like the one you're watching, perfect for fans of related plots, vibes, or cinematic styles.


© 2025 What's After the Movie. All rights reserved.