The Half of It (2020) Parents Guide: Is the movie OK for kids?
Age Rating, Sex, Violence & Language
Shy, straight-A student Ellie is hired by sweet but inarticulate jock Paul, who needs help wooing the most popular girl in school. But their new and unlikely friendship gets tricky when Ellie discovers she has feelings for the same girl.
Rated PG-13 • 2020 • 1h 44m
The Half of It earned its PG-13 rating for brief language and a scene of teen drinking. The film follows shy high-schooler Ellie Chu in the small town of Squahamish as she agrees to ghostwrite love letters for a jock, only to fall for the same girl herself. The primary content for parents to be aware of involves mature coming-of-age themes, including LGBTQ+ identity, religious condemnation, and emotional deception. Beyond one party… Sign up for the full guide
Cast
Is The Half of It appropriate for kids?
The Half of It earned its PG-13 rating for brief language and a scene of teen drinking. The film follows shy high-schooler Ellie Chu in the small town of Squahamish as she agrees to ghostwrite love letters for a jock, only to fall for the same girl herself. The primary content… Read more — free account
Content severity in The Half of It
What happens in The Half of It, moment by moment
- 0:10 ⚔ Violence & Gore 2/10
- 0:15 🔥 Mature Themes 4/10
- 0:25 💬 Language 3/10
Sex and nudity in The Half of It
Sexual content is light and limited to a few brief kisses. Two teenage girls share a gentle kiss, and a boy and girl kiss on a couple of occasions. A boy's romantic advance on a girl is rejected. In one scene at a hot spring, two girls are seen briefly in their underwear and t-shirts, but the scene is focused on emotional intimacy, not sexuality.
Violence and gore in The Half of It
Violence is minimal. In one scene, a character is briefly tripped by bullies. Near the end of the film, a girl slaps a boy in the face after discovering a deception. There is no gore or significant fighting.
Language in The Half of It
Language is infrequent and mild for its PG-13 rating. The word 'shit' is used approximately three times. Other profanity is absent.
Drugs, alcohol, and smoking in The Half of It
The film includes one key scene of underage drinking. At a house party, teenagers are shown drinking beer from red cups. One character becomes inebriated and is heard vomiting off-screen.
Mature themes in The Half of It
The film's strongest content is thematic. It centrally explores LGBTQ+ identity and a character's journey of self-acceptance. One emotionally intense scene involves a character being told they are a sinner and will 'go to hell' for their sexuality. Other themes include deception in relationships, the grief of a widowed parent, loneliness, and challenging religious and social norms.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Half of It appropriate for kids?
Bontent's parent guide suggests The Half of It is best for ages 13+. It's rated PG-13. The Half of It earned its PG-13 rating for brief language and a scene of teen drinking. The film follows shy high-schooler Ellie Chu in the small town of Squahamish as she agrees to ghostwrite love letters for a jock…
What age rating does The Half of It have?
The Half of It is officially rated PG-13. Bontent's independent parent guide recommends it for ages 13+.
What is The Half of It about?
The Half of It earned its PG-13 rating for brief language and a scene of teen drinking. The film follows shy high-schooler Ellie Chu in the small town of Squahamish as she agrees to ghostwrite love letters for a jock, only to fall for the same girl herself. The primary content for parents to be aware of involves…
Is there sex or nudity in The Half of It?
Sexual content is light and limited to a few brief kisses. Two teenage girls share a gentle kiss, and a boy and girl kiss on a couple of occasions. A boy's romantic advance on a girl is rejected. In one scene at a hot spring, two girls are seen briefly in…
How violent is The Half of It?
Violence is minimal. In one scene, a character is briefly tripped by bullies. Near the end of the film, a girl slaps a boy in the face after discovering a deception. There is no gore or significant fighting.
Is the language in The Half of It appropriate for kids?
Language is infrequent and mild for its PG-13 rating. The word 'shit' is used approximately three times. Other profanity is absent.
Are drugs, alcohol, or smoking shown in The Half of It?
The film includes one key scene of underage drinking. At a house party, teenagers are shown drinking beer from red cups. One character becomes inebriated and is heard vomiting off-screen.
What mature themes appear in The Half of It?
The film's strongest content is thematic. It centrally explores LGBTQ+ identity and a character's journey of self-acceptance. One emotionally intense scene involves a character being told they are a sinner and will 'go to hell' for their sexuality. Other…
How long is The Half of It?
The Half of It runs 104 minutes, directed by Alice Wu, released in 2020.
Where can I read the full The Half of It parent guide?
Create a free Bontent account to unlock the full scene-by-scene notes, filter by your kids' ages, and save titles to your personal watchlist.
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