Our take
OBEX is a lo-fi fantasy horror set in 1987 about a reclusive man and his dog pulled into a sinister computer game. UK and Australian classifiers rate it for older teens. Expect demon and nightmare imagery, blood, a stabbing, brief full frontal nudity in one scene, and occasional s-word and f-word outbursts. The tone is eerie and dreamlike rather than nonstop splatter, but pet loss and guilt weigh heavily. Best for mature teens who enjoy Lynch-style weirdness, not younger gamers expecting a fun adventure
Uplifting themes
Love for a pet anchors the story, though the ending offers little comfort
AMU ages are independent editorial opinions. They are not legal classifications and are not issued by the Classification Board, the MPAA, or any other official classification body. Official labels on this site, such as PG or R, come from those bodies or our data sources, not from AMU. AMU guides are not a substitute for official classification. Cuts and details can differ by version. Use them as one input only. You decide what is right for your family.
Story (may spoil tone)
Conor Marsh lives a secluded life with his dog, Sandy, until one day he begins playing OBEX, a new, state-of-the-art computer game. When Sandy goes missing, the line between reality and game blurs and Conor must venture into the strange world of OBEX to bring her home.
Details
Violence A stabbing with blood, bug-killing talk, and heavy guilt around a pet d…
A stabbing with blood, bug-killing talk, and heavy guilt around a pet death
Language A handful of s-word and f-word moments during scares
A handful of s-word and f-word moments during scares
Sex / nudity Brief full frontal nudity appears once according to classification notes
Brief full frontal nudity appears once according to classification notes
Drugs / alcohol A cigarette reference in dialogue; no on-screen drinking
A cigarette reference in dialogue; no on-screen drinking
Frightening Demon kings, nightmare realms, and Elm Street nods build slow surreal d…
Demon kings, nightmare realms, and Elm Street nods build slow surreal dread
Self-harm / suicide No self-harm found in this title
No self-harm found in this title
Sexual violence No sexual violence found in this title
No sexual violence found in this title
Child peril / abuse No child peril found in this title
No child peril found in this title
Bullying / discrimination No bullying found in this title
No bullying found in this title
Gore / death / weapons A stabbing with blood. Gore stays modest for the fantasy-horror setting
A stabbing with blood. Gore stays modest for the fantasy-horror setting
Dangerous behaviour No dangerous behavior found in this title
No dangerous behavior found in this title
Eating disorders / body image No eating found in this title
No eating found in this title
Mental health No mental health found in this title
No mental health found in this title
Gambling No gambling found in this title
No gambling found in this title
Grief / bereavement Missing pet grief and self-blame drive the emotional stakes
Missing pet grief and self-blame drive the emotional stakes
Talk after watching
- Conor treats his dog like his only friend. How does the film handle that bond when the game world takes over?
- The story mixes 80s horror references with early computer culture. What does that say about escaping loneliness through screens?
- Reality and game blur together. How can families talk about when fiction starts to feel too real?