Common Sense Media Review
By Tara McNamara
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Romantic adventure hits a dead end; language, car crash.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
A Big Bold Beautiful Journey
What's the Story?
After their flirtation at a wedding leads nowhere, David (Colin Farrell) and Sara (Margot Robbie) separately opt in to taking A BIG BOLD BEAUTIFUL JOURNEY, as suggested by their mutual car rental agency. Unwittingly paired together, the two are sent to locations unknown, which turn out to actually be quite familiar. When the weekend is over, now knowing the potential risk and reward, they have to decide whether they want to continue the journey together.
Is It Any Good?
The premise might have viewers buckling up for a journey to a magical destination, but when the movie veers sharply into metaphorical and then idles in literal, sparkles of hope get left in the dust. A Big Bold Beautiful Journey is about two jaded souls who've given up on finding love—one drifts from superficial fling to the next, while the other "love bombs" people until they've sealed the deal and then loses interest. This isn't particularly kid-friendly terrain, and it's probably not an entertaining ride for most adults, either—maybe just those on a similarly bumpy path.
The movie's "journey," if you haven't already caught on, is a metaphor about falling in love. But that's the trouble: The script doesn't leave much to discover. Metaphors are glaringly obvious, like when David and Sara climb up a high hill and then share a kiss while looking down at Earth—yes, they connect while feeling on top of the world. Their banter is no more subtle, spelling out what's usually left unspoken during flirting or dating. To its credit, that blunt honesty hints at the kind of communication more people should be having: telling potential partners what's really going on and sharing the trauma of relationships past to let people in fully to see whether they can love the whole of us. If we could arrive there, it would be bold and beautiful. Unfortunately, David and Sara's journey sputters out, and, well before the ride is over, teens will likely be out of gas.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how they can apply A Big Bold Beautiful Journey's message—to "be open"—to their own lives. What, other than romance, could that refer to?
Parents, if you could go back in time to tell your younger self something, what would it be? Teens: Are there any moments in your life so far that you wish you could relive? Or would never want to relive? Why?
David and Sara speak to each other with straightforward honesty, sometimes expressing the unsaid communication that exists underneath the surface. How do you think life would be different if everyone communicated so plainly? Why is good communication an essential life skill?
What is the metaphorical meaning of the title A Big Bold Beautiful Journey? What other metaphors did you spot?
How are David and Sara able to heal from the painful memories they've been holding on to? Parents, can you share a moment from your earlier years that you now view differently?
Movie Details
- In theaters : September 19, 2025
- On DVD or streaming : October 14, 2025
- Cast : Margot Robbie , Colin Farrell , Phoebe Waller-Bridge , Kevin Kline
- Director : Kogonada
- Inclusion Information : Asian Movie Director(s) , Korean Movie Director(s) , Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Sony Pictures
- Genre : Romance
- Topics : Adventures , Fantasy , Travel
- Character Strengths : Communication , Curiosity
- Run time : 108 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : language
- Last updated : September 30, 2025
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