Christian suspense writers Frank Peretti and Ted Dekker, are disappointed that
it will have an R rating when it releases in more than 400 theaters next
month—possibly keeping away a big chunk of its potential core audience.
The film was given the adults-only stamp by the Motion Picture Association of
America (MPAA) for “terror and violence,” making it the only Christian-themed
movie other than Mel Gibson's The Passion of The Christ to receive such a
rating.
Producer Ralph Winter said in a statement that the makers were “at a loss”
when they learned of the decision, which was based on the general tone of the
film rather than specific parts. They wanted to make cuts to win a PG-13 rating,
but were told by the MPAA that “the whole story was just too intense.”
Winter said the team realized that a large portion of the teenage fan base
that made the book a success would not get to see the film, and that “many
faith-based organizations that would generally support the film would feel
handcuffed due to the baggage associated with most rated-R films.”
The consequences were “unfortunate,” he said, but he hoped people would judge
the film on its own merit “and appreciate the film's themes of 'good vs. evil'
and 'sin and redemption.' ”
Based on the 2006 novel published by Thomas Nelson that follows two couples'
challenges in a house of horrors, House opens Nov. 7.
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