Why was The Good Son (1993) R rated?

I just watched the movie and noticed how it was R rated and was actually really surprised. Most of the attempted murders are actually just attempted but failed, accept for a dog, and hardly any of that was even shown.

The Fugitive came out the same here, and was much more violent in comparison and that got a PG-13. So why was The Good Son, given a much more harsh treatment?

does it matter

Here's my guess - since the plot involved children trying to commit murders, they didn't want adolescents seeing the movie and being inspired to try the same? So they gave it an "R" rating to keep youngsters out. Just a thought.

love yu

I get baffled by ratings a lot as well. Evil Dead 2 used to have an X rating.