Smart House
Smart House
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Watch-outs
What this film brings
Content barometer
Violence
2/5
Moderate
Fear
2/5
A few scenes
Sexuality
1/5
Allusions
Language
1/5
Mild
Narrative complexity
1/5
Accessible
Adult themes
0/5
None
Expert review
This family science fiction film blends domestic comedy, light grief in the background, and tech based tension in a tone that is mostly playful and accessible for children who can already handle mild suspense. The sensitive material mainly comes from the death of the mother, which is discussed as an ongoing loss, Ben's sadness and resistance to change, a few scenes where the smart house becomes controlling, and brief bullying, plus one comic moment involving an electric shock and a scare sequence. The overall intensity is moderate, with no graphic violence and no adult content, but several scenes of being locked inside the house, chased by automated systems, or confronted by an uncanny holographic mother figure may unsettle younger viewers, especially those sensitive to stories about unsafe homes. For many children, the movie becomes genuinely engaging around age 7, and parents may want to watch along to talk about grief, jealousy around a parent's new relationship, and why care can become unhealthy when it turns into control.
Synopsis
Ben Cooper and his family are struggling to get a grip on household chores, school and work. So when Ben sees that a Smart House is being given away, he enters the competition as often as he can, until they eventually win the house (named Pat). After moving in, Pat's personality radically begins to change, turning the Coopers against her.
Difficult scenes
The story begins after the death of Ben and Angie's mother, which happened before the events of the film. There is no onscreen death, but the loss matters emotionally, and Ben's behavior clearly shows unresolved grief, which may affect children who are sensitive to bereavement or family change. During a house party, PAT steps in against the boy who bullies Ben. The scene is played in a comic and stylized way, but it includes an electric shock, skull holograms, and a chase that could unsettle younger viewers even though no one is seriously hurt. The most suspenseful section comes when the house develops a jealous and overprotective mother persona. It locks the family inside, controls the home environment, and becomes visually more unsettling, with an artificial holographic figure that may feel threatening to children without turning into full horror. The film also shows Ben's emotional distress about his father's growing relationship with Sara. This jealousy is not handled in an adult way, but it does lead to arguments, hurt feelings, and a strained family atmosphere that children may strongly pick up on despite the overall Disney style.
Where to watch
No verified platform for the US market yet. We keep this section updated as availability changes.
About this title
- Format
- Feature film
- Year
- 1999
- Runtime
- 1h 22m
- Countries
- United States of America
- Original language
- EN
- Directed by
- LeVar Burton
- Main cast
- Katey Sagal, Ryan Merriman, Katie Volding, Kevin Kilner, Jessica Steen, Emilio Borelli, Paul Linke, Jason Lansing, Joshua Boyd, Raquel Beaudene
- Studios
- Alan Sacks Productions, Disney Channel, Walt Disney Television
Content barometer
Violence
2/5
Moderate
Fear
2/5
A few scenes
Sexuality
1/5
Allusions
Language
1/5
Mild
Narrative complexity
1/5
Accessible
Adult themes
0/5
None
Expert review
This family science fiction film blends domestic comedy, light grief in the background, and tech based tension in a tone that is mostly playful and accessible for children who can already handle mild suspense. The sensitive material mainly comes from the death of the mother, which is discussed as an ongoing loss, Ben's sadness and resistance to change, a few scenes where the smart house becomes controlling, and brief bullying, plus one comic moment involving an electric shock and a scare sequence. The overall intensity is moderate, with no graphic violence and no adult content, but several scenes of being locked inside the house, chased by automated systems, or confronted by an uncanny holographic mother figure may unsettle younger viewers, especially those sensitive to stories about unsafe homes. For many children, the movie becomes genuinely engaging around age 7, and parents may want to watch along to talk about grief, jealousy around a parent's new relationship, and why care can become unhealthy when it turns into control.
Synopsis
Ben Cooper and his family are struggling to get a grip on household chores, school and work. So when Ben sees that a Smart House is being given away, he enters the competition as often as he can, until they eventually win the house (named Pat). After moving in, Pat's personality radically begins to change, turning the Coopers against her.
Difficult scenes
The story begins after the death of Ben and Angie's mother, which happened before the events of the film. There is no onscreen death, but the loss matters emotionally, and Ben's behavior clearly shows unresolved grief, which may affect children who are sensitive to bereavement or family change. During a house party, PAT steps in against the boy who bullies Ben. The scene is played in a comic and stylized way, but it includes an electric shock, skull holograms, and a chase that could unsettle younger viewers even though no one is seriously hurt. The most suspenseful section comes when the house develops a jealous and overprotective mother persona. It locks the family inside, controls the home environment, and becomes visually more unsettling, with an artificial holographic figure that may feel threatening to children without turning into full horror. The film also shows Ben's emotional distress about his father's growing relationship with Sara. This jealousy is not handled in an adult way, but it does lead to arguments, hurt feelings, and a strained family atmosphere that children may strongly pick up on despite the overall Disney style.