A Week Away, a Netflix original movie, is now available for streaming. Even though the movie is primarily about high school students, is it appropriate for kids, tweens, and teens? I’m answering that question and more in my spoiler free parent movie review. With a TV-PG rating that includes some mature content and minimal violence, here’s what parents need to know about A Week Away.
KEVIN G. QUINN as WILL, BAILEE MADISON as AVERY
A Week Away on Netflix: A Parents Guide
In this Netflix original movie, Will (played by Kevin Quinn) is a troubled youth who is sent to a Christian summer camp for a week. There, he forms friendships with other campers Avery (played by Bailee Madison), George (played by Jahbril Cook), and Presley (played by Kat Conner Sterling). He also competes in the camp’s annual competition, “Warrior Games.” Primarily a faith-based musical, here’s what parents need to know about the A Week Away Netflix age rating.
What is A Week Away Rated?
A Week Away is rated TV-PG, which means that parental guidance is recommended. It’s mostly rated PG due to some mature content and minimal violence. But more about that below.
Sexually Suggestive Scenes
There aren’t any sexually suggestive scenes or nudity in A Week Away, unlike Bridgerton. A couple of the characters do kiss and there is a romance brewing between two of the couples but that’s the extent of it.
Language
Likewise, there really isn’t any profanity in this movie (unlike another teen movie, The Kissing Booth 2). Instead, characters say phrases like “stupid,” “you’re a real weird dude,” “Jesus freaks,” and “kick some apostle behind.” The word “buttocks” is also used. Did I mention this takes place at a Christian summer camp?
Mature Content and Violence
As mentioned above, there is some mature content in this movie as well as minimal violence. Will’s parents died when he was younger and he is shuffled from one foster home to another. After he is arrested for stealing a police car, he’s given the choice between church camp or juvenile detention. He chooses church camp. Besides theft, his criminal record also includes vandalism and disorderly conduct. As for violence, there is a paintball scene (involving shooting with guns) as well as a dodgeball scene which results in one character being injured.
Overall Thoughts
I love musicals but I wasn’t quite sure what to expect with this one, especially because I’m not very religious. In fact, when I saw the trailer for it, I thought it was possibly a satire. But it turns out that it really is a faith-based musical. However, even though I’m not a religious person, I found myself pleasantly surprised with the uplifting message of the movie, as well as the catchy soundtrack and the choreography. The characters aren’t striving for perfection, but mostly embrace themselves as they are. And that’s a message that kids - and their parents - can learn from. Even I struggle with self esteem issues sometimes (especially with regard to my weight). So overall, this is a family friendly movie to watch, although it might not keep younger kids’ attention spans (such as my 8 year old son).
To read several A Week Away fun movie facts, click here.
A Week Away Netflix Trailer
Troubled teen Will Hawkins (Kevin Quinn) has a run-in with the law that puts him at an important crossroad: go to juvenile detention or attend a Christian summer camp. At first a fish-out-of-water, Will opens his heart, discovers love with a camp regular (Madison), and sense of belonging in the last place he expected to find it.
Sounds great.