The Bad Seed

  • 2018
  • PG-13
  • 84m
movieMx RATING
7.0/10318
VERDICT
HIT
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Performance & Direction: The Bad Seed Review

Last updated: February 19, 2026

movieMx Editorial Team
REVIEWED BY

movieMx Editorial Team

🔍 Cinematic Analysis Expert

Leading cinematic analysis expert with over 10 years of experience in Bollywood and Hollywood box office tracking. Reviewed 500+ films with a focus on narrative structure and commercial profitability.

📅 Updated: February 19, 2026 🎟️ Verified Viewing

🎬 Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?

Is The Bad Seed (2018) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a HIT with a verified audience rating of 7.0/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Drama.

🎭 Cast Performances: A Masterclass

The success of any Drama is often anchored by its ensemble, and The Bad Seed features a noteworthy lineup led by Mckenna Grace . Supported by the likes of Rob Lowe and Sarah Dugdale , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.

Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.

💡 Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?

In summary, our editorial assessment of The Bad Seed (2018) is generally positive. With an audience rating of 7.0/10, it stands as a highly recommended experience for genre enthusiasts.
Result: HIT
Based on verified audience sentiment and box office trajectory, The Bad Seed stands as a HIT.

Story & Plot Summary: The Bad Seed

Quick Plot Summary: Released in 2018, The Bad Seed is a Drama, Horror, Thriller, TV Movie film directed by Rob Lowe. The narrative explores complex human emotions and relationships through detailed character development. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Mckenna Grace.

Ending Explained: The Bad Seed

Ending Breakdown: Directed by Rob Lowe, The Bad Seed resolves its central conflict while maintaining thematic consistency. The finale has been praised for its approach to drama resolution.

The final reveal recontextualizes earlier scenes involving Mckenna Grace, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.

Ending Analysis:

  • Narrative Resolution: The story concludes with clear resolution of its central conflicts, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
  • Character Arcs: Main characters complete meaningful transformations, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
  • Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the drama themes established throughout the runtime.

The final moments of The Bad Seed reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.

Who Should Watch The Bad Seed?

Worth Watching If You:

  • Enjoy Drama films and don't mind familiar tropes
  • Are a fan of Mckenna Grace or the director
  • Want a character-driven story with emotional moments
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Top Cast: The Bad Seed

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The Bad Seed Parents Guide & Age Rating

2018 Advisory
PG-13

Official Age Rating

Wondering about The Bad Seed age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:

The Bad Seed is rated PG-13. Parents should be aware that it contains frightening scenes, intense suspense, mature themes, violence. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.

⏱️ Runtime & Duration

The total runtime of The Bad Seed is 84 minutes (1h 24m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.

Verdict Summary

Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 7.0/10, and global performance metrics, The Bad Seed is classified as a HIT. It remains an essential part of the 2018 cinematic calendar.

HIT
Official movieMx status for The Bad Seed. Rating: 7.0/10

Frequently Asked Questions

Is The Bad Seed worth watching?

The Bad Seed is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Drama movies. It has a verified rating of 7/10 and stands as a HIT in our box office analysis.

Where can I find The Bad Seed parents guide and age rating?

The official parents guide for The Bad Seed identifies it as PG-13. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.

What is the total runtime of The Bad Seed?

The total duration of The Bad Seed is 84 minutes, which is approximately 1h 24m long.

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How The Bad Seed Compares & Where it Ranks

Critic Reviews for The Bad Seed

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movieMx Verified

This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.

This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.

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Expert Consensus
Live Rating
MOVIEMX
★ 7.0
The Bad Seed
<a href="https://moviemx.in/review/the-bad-seed-532814" target="_blank" style="text-decoration:none;"><div style="background:#121212;border:1px solid #f5c518;border-radius:12px;padding:15px;width:180px;text-align:center;font-family:sans-serif;box-shadow:0 10px 20px rgba(0,0,0,0.3);"><div style="color:#f5c518;font-size:10px;font-weight:900;letter-spacing:2px;">MOVIEMX</div><div style="color:white;font-size:28px;font-weight:900;margin:8px 0;">★ 7.0</div><div style="color:#888;font-size:12px;font-weight:500;">The Bad Seed</div></div></a>

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