Overview
The Fallout is a powerful and emotionally intense film that portrays the aftermath of a school shooting through the lens of teenage girl, Vada, played by Jenna Ortega. The movie depicts how teens are impacted by a tragedy such as this, including their mental health, their families, and their relationships.
Needless to say, this movie contains some heavy themes and mature topics. We put all the details you need to know about this movie here so you can be sure if it’s a fit for your child to watch.
Harmful Content ❗️
Parents need to know that the movie is about the aftermath of a school shooting and portrays how teens cope with the experience. There are depictions of trauma, PTSD, anxiety, depression, and general psychological struggles as a result of the shooting. It also includes scenes of teens using substances like marijuana and alcohol to escape from the pain.
Language
There is frequent uses of profanity such as the f-bomb and “sh*t.” The language is to be expected for teens in distress, but is likely not appropriate for younger audiences.
Sex
There is a scene of a sexual encounter between two teens. Nothing explicit is shown, and there’s no nudity, but there is kissing, undressing, and implied intercourse.
Violence
The shooting itself is not depicted in the movie, but it’s described through the reactions and descriptions of the characters. The audience sees glimpses of students running, hiding, and the sound of gunshots. The movie focuses more on the psychological impact versus the violence of the shooting.
Positive Value 💫
One of the main takeaways of the film is the realistic understanding of healing after experiencing a tragedy. Grief and healing looks different for everyone and is not always linear. But the movie also highlights the importance of finding support and strong friendships to endure hardships. Additionally, it shows how impactful it is to be open about mental health and to ask for help when you need it.
So, should my kid watch it?
We’d say this movie is appropriate for older teens, around ages 15 and up. It contains some powerful, important messages, but the maturity of the topics are likely not a fit for younger or more sensitive audiences.
