The Barrens
Released
5.8out of 10
Based on 1 rating
On a scale of 1 to 10, The Barrens scores 5.8 for how scary it is. Strong suspense and strong creepiness.
Where to stream it
Streaming data from JustWatch.
A man takes his family on a camping trip and becomes convinced they are being stalked by the legendary monster of the New Jersey Pine Barrens: the Jersey Devil.
How it scares
Each kind of scare is rated out of 10. Hover over a score, or use the info button, to see what it means.
- Gore
4.7 out of 10,Strong
Blood, injuries and body horror shown on screen. Violence that happens off-screen barely counts.
Gore 4.7 is strong (5-6 on the scale):
- Bloody deaths and injuries shown clearly
- Happens fairly often, but doesn't linger
- 1-2Mild
- 3-4Moderate
- 5-6Strong
- 7-8Intense
- 9-10Extreme
- Creepy
5.4 out of 10,Strong
Unsettling images, atmosphere and things that feel wrong. Not sudden shocks (Jumpscares) or waiting for something to happen (Suspense).
Creepy 5.4 is strong (5-6 on the scale):
- Disturbing images and an atmosphere that feels wrong
- Comes back often, and some scenes stay with you afterwards
- 1-2Mild
- 3-4Moderate
- 5-6Strong
- 7-8Intense
- 9-10Extreme
- Jumpscares
4.9 out of 10,Strong
Sudden shocks designed to make you jump, usually a fast movement or a loud noise. Not slow-building dread (Suspense).
Jumpscares 4.9 is strong (5-6 on the scale):
- Regular jumpscares, often with loud sound cues
- A real part of how the film scares you
- 1-2Mild
- 3-4Moderate
- 5-6Strong
- 7-8Intense
- 9-10Extreme
- Suspense
5.7 out of 10,Strong
Tension and dread while you wait for something to happen. Not the scare itself when it arrives (Jumpscares or Gore).
Suspense 5.7 is strong (5-6 on the scale):
- High tension that keeps you on edge
- Calm moments are short and don't last
- 1-2Mild
- 3-4Moderate
- 5-6Strong
- 7-8Intense
- 9-10Extreme
- Psychological
3.5 out of 10,Moderate
Horror that gets in your head: paranoia, madness, doubting what's real and ideas that stay with you. Not how a scene looks (Creepy) or feels in the moment (Suspense).
Psychological 3.5 is moderate (3-4 on the scale):
- Unsettling themes, moral dilemmas or a character you can't trust
- Makes you think, without leaving you shaken
- 1-2Mild
- 3-4Moderate
- 5-6Strong
- 7-8Intense
- 9-10Extreme
How the overall score of 5.8 is worked out
Scare weighting compares each kind of scare with other films, lifting what's stronger than usual and lowering what's weaker, so only the strongest get near 10. The Scare Scale score is the average of the three highest.
| Kind of scare | Rated | Scare weighting | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jumpscares (in the top 3) | 4.9 | +2.5 | 7.4 |
| Creepy (in the top 3) | 5.4 | −0.4 | 5.0 |
| Suspense (in the top 3) | 5.7 | −0.7 | 5.0 |
| Gore | 4.7 | −1.2 | 3.5 |
| Psychological | 3.5 | −2.8 | 0.7 |
The highlighted top 3 make up the score:
(7.4 + 5.0 + 5.0) ÷ 3 = 5.8
The Barrens parents guide
What to expect from each kind of scare, from the Scare Scale scores.
- Gore: Strong
- Bloody deaths and injuries shown clearly
- Creepy: Strong
- Disturbing images and an atmosphere that feels wrong
- Jumpscares: Strong
- Regular jumpscares, often with loud sound cues
- Suspense: Strong
- High tension that keeps you on edge
- Psychological: Moderate
- Unsettling themes, moral dilemmas or a character you can't trust
Where it sits on the Scare Scale
The Barrens is number 789 of 3356 rated films on the Scare Scale, with an overall score of 5.8 out of 10.
Every line is a rated film. Hover, tap or drag along the line to compare.
- The Retreat5.8
- Darkroom5.8
- The Barrens (this film)5.8
- Eloise5.8
- The Pyramid5.8
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