Everything, Everything parents guide

Everything, Everything Parent Guide

This story has all the cute and kitsch ‘tween girls swoon over – and that a problem considering the messages of the movie.

Overall C

A teenager girl (Amanda Sternberg) who' has a rare immune disorder has lived an isolated life for her own protection. Perhaps that is part of what makes the new boy next door (Nick Robinson) look so attractive.

Release date May 19, 2017

Violence B
Sexual Content C
Profanity B-
Substance Use B+

Why is Everything, Everything rated PG-13? The MPAA rated Everything, Everything PG-13 for thematic elements and brief sensuality.

Run Time: 97 minutes

Official Movie Site

Parent Movie Review

Maddy Whittier (Amandla Stenberg) is a young woman with SCID (severe combined immunodeficiency), a medical condition that renders her body unable to fight off any infections. Although the illness means she must live in isolation in order to avoid contact with germs or viruses, she still enjoys stimulation through books and the internet. Her protective single mother (Anika Noni Rose), who is also a physician, provides medical care plus a state-of-the-art home to keep her daughter’s environment sterilized. And Maddy has the loving company of full-time nurse Carla (Ana de la Reguera). Really, the eighteen-year-old doesn’t want for anything, anything.

However, her resignation toward having no contact with the outside world is tested when she notices the family moving in next door has a son about her age. Olly (Nick Robinson) may dress in bleak black and wear his shaggy hair with a rebellious attitude, but he has a bright smile when he sees her peering from the window. Within days the two are making eye contact as often as possible, and then begin texting back and forth. As the interaction and attraction grows, Maddy desires more. Eventually, she is even willing to risk everything, everything.

What follows is a sentimental sequence of bashful meetings facilitated by Carla, puppy-love style frolicking, and secret romantic gestures that catch the attention of Mom. When the cautious parent threatens to put an end to any more flirting with the forbidden fruit, Maddy and Olly run away together.

Based on a book by Nicola Yoon, this story has all the cute and kitsch ‘tween girls swoon over – and that is exactly the biggest problem with the movie. This target audience will likely be just as naïve as the main characters presented here, and fail to recognize the negative consequences associated with Maddy and Olly’s behaviors. And it doesn’t help that the film never shows the dangers of lying, using a credit card irresponsibly and engaging in an “unprotected” sexual relationship (implied after a steamy scene of passionate kissing). In fact, the plot suggests it’s the adults who are out of touch with reality.

Along with being predictable and tedious, other content of concern is a few swear words and scatological slang, reference to a father with a drinking problem, the depiction of a squabble that ends with punches being thrown, and domestic abuse.

While it is natural for young adults to want to exert their independence, the 18-year-old couple depicted here are reckless, even if the script calls their actions brave. After reflecting on the film’s messages and trying to come up with something positive to say, I really could think of nothing, nothing.

Directed by Stella Meghie. Starring Amandla Stenberg, Nick Robinson, Anika Noni Rose . Running time: 97 minutes. Theatrical release May 19, 2017. Updated

Everything, Everything
Rating & Content Info

Why is Everything, Everything rated PG-13? Everything, Everything is rated PG-13 by the MPAA for thematic elements and brief sensuality.

Violence:

A father and son have a quarrel, including an exchange of punches and muffled discussion. A medical emergency is depicted without any explicit detail. References are made to marital discord and abuse. Characters lie to one another, and when these deceptions are discovered they feel betrayed.

Sexual Content:
An unmarried young couple (both are just 18) are seen undressing each other and getting into bed, unplanned sexual relations are strongly implied, no consequences relating to this decision are included. A young man and woman kiss passionately. A young man and woman are seen in swimwear.

Profanity:
A single scatological term is heard, and other mild profanity is used infrequently.

Alcohol / Drug Use:
A father’s alcohol problem results in a scene of domestic abuse and other family strife. Injections in a medical context are depicted.

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Everything, Everything Parents' Guide

Maddy has been kept apart from society all her life. What knowledge might she be lacking that would hinder her ability to make good choices? How do you feel about the decisions she makes in this story?

How do you feel about Maddy’s decision to leave her sanctuary? Would it be better to live a long life in confinement or a short life that allowed you to have greater experiences? How might Maddy have tried the “experiment” of leaving in a safer way?

What are Maddy’s mom’s motivations for protecting her daughter? Are they justified? Why does she seem disconnected from Maddy’s desire to have relationships? Are there other ways Maddy could have challenged her mother? In what ways does Olly’s mother show a similar disconnect with the needs of her children?

Maddy and Olly engage in sexual activity soon after their relationship begins. How well do they know each other? What consequences may result from their choice? Do you think the portrayal of Maddy’s first sexual experience is accurate or is it made to look more wonderful than it might have been?

When talking about relationships, Olly quotes his mother as saying, “Love makes you crazy.” In what ways does love make his mother behave in a crazy manner? How does the emotion affect him and Maddy? Does love need to make a person crazy? How might this powerful feeling be managed and controlled?

News About "Everything, Everything"

This movie is based on a novel by Nicola Yoon

Home Video

The most recent home video release of Everything, Everything movie is August 15, 2017. Here are some details…

Home Video Notes: Everything, Everything
Release Date: 15 August 2017
Everything, Everything release to home video (Blu-ray + DVD + Digital HD) with the following extras:
- Trapped in Love: The Story of Everything, Everything
- Deleted Scenes

Related home video titles:

Another character feel locked away from the real world in The Space Between Us. Relationships between teen/young adult couples, along with the challenges they can have with their parents, are modeled better in High School Musical 3: Senior Year

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