Work It on Netflix - What Parents Need to Know

Work It, a movie about a high school student who starts a dance team in order to increase her chances of being accepted into Duke University, will be available to stream on Netflix beginning August 7, 2020.  However, how does it stack up to its competition?  And is Work It appropriate for kids?  I’m answering these questions and more in my spoiler free parent movie review.  With a TV-14 rating that includes some use of profanity and sexual innuendoes, here’s what parents need to know.

Work It on Netflix - What Parents Need to Know

Work It is the latest teen dance movie to be released on Netflix.  The main character’s name is Quinn.  She desperately wants to get accepted into Duke University so she forms a dance team to compete in the Work It competition to increase her chances of being accepted into Duke.  I love dance movies like Feel the Beat, but Work It is not as family friendly.  Here are the reasons why.

It’s Rated TV-14

Work It is rated TV-14 which means that it contains some material that many parents would find unsuitable for children under 14 years of age.   While Work It doesn’t really contain violence, it does contain profanity as well as sexual innuendoes.  More about that below.

Violence

Quinn accidentally breaks a statue and she almost accidentally electrocutes dancers during an opening scene.  But overall, the movie isn’t violent at all.

Sexually Suggestive Scenes

There are a few sexually suggestive scenes and sexual innuendos although younger kids might not understand the references.  For example, Quinn works at a nursing home and mentions that some of the residents are watching 50 Shades of Grey.  There’s also reference to a sexting incident and spooning on a bed and “firmness” of a mattress.  Ahem.  

As for physical acts, there is nothing beyond a few kissing scenes.  There’s also a shirtless male shown.  But that’s the extent of it.

Language

There was quite a bit of profanity in this movie, although not as bad as the profanity in The Kissing Booth 2.  Some of the characters say phrases like “you bet your ass I did it,” “hell yes”, “shit,” “damn,” and “eat me.”  

Overall Thoughts

Work It is predictable.  So much that it can be boring at times.  I’ve seen a similar premise countless times.  With that being said, it’s not terrible.  The soundtrack is fun to listen to (I’m a sucker for songs like Get On Your Feet by Gloria Estefan), and the choreography is equally fun to watch.  I also appreciated that Work It had a diverse cast.  As for age recommendations, I think that it may be suitable for kids 12 years and older, depending on your comfort level with the profanity and sexual innuendoes.  But as always, use your discretion.

About Work It

When Quinn Ackerman’s (Sabrina Carpenter) admission to the college of her dreams depends on her performance at a dance competition, she forms a ragtag group of dancers to take on the best squad in school…now she just needs to learn how to dance.