Common Sense Media Review
By Tara McNamara
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Amiable right-to-pray dramedy has agenda, child abuse.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 11+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
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Average Joe
What's the Story?
Joseph Kennedy (Eric Close) sees himself as just an AVERAGE JOE, a Marine who had a rough childhood and took a winding road to marry his childhood sweetheart, Denise (Amy Acker), before being tapped to coach high school football. Grateful for what he has, Joe makes a vow to God to pray after every game. When the team players begin joining him on the field to pray, complaints and concerns start trickling in to the school board, and the board members ask him to move the prayers to a more private location in fear of a lawsuit based on a violation of the U.S. Constitution's Establishment Clause. Joe refuses and sues the school district on the grounds of the First Amendment's assurances of free exercise and free speech. The movie's events are based on the 2022 Supreme Court case that overturned 1971's Lemon v. Kurtzman ruling against excessive entanglement between church and state, specifically in education.
Is It Any Good?
Good-natured and sometimes goofy, this well-made drama has a mission: to encourage others to start using the lawsuit-opened door to religion being expressed in U.S. schools and government. U.S. laws have always allowed for individual prayer, and most Americans support that, but problems tend to start when it feels like others' religious freedom is compromised as a result. Average Joe acknowledges this and then shows why Kennedy believes that if he doesn't pray on the 50-yard line at a game, he's breaking his word to God. After a lawyer from First Liberty Institute approaches him, Kennedy decides to file a lawsuit, despite compromising his wife's career to do so. As played by a smiley Close, Joe is depicted as an easygoing everyman, a likable guy who has overcome childhood trauma. This is all designed to get viewers on his side and brush off his lack of cooperation with the school district, which puts them in a difficult position. (In the Supreme Court's decision, it's mentioned that the media circus surrounding Kennedy led the district to receive calls from Satanists who "intended to conduct ceremonies on the field after football games if others were allowed to," and the majority of the school's coaches opted not to return the next season in fear that they'd be shot by one of the supporters attracted to the fray created by Kennedy.)
Opposing points of view are heard, but ultimately, Average Joe isn't presented as a thought-provoking movie intended to inspire respectful debate. When Duck Dynasty's Willie Robertson finishes the film by speaking directly to viewers, encouraging them to place religious iconography in public spaces, the movie's activist agenda is clear.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the messages of Average Joe. What do you think the filmmakers' purpose is in making this movie?
What is grit? How does Kennedy demonstrate it, and why is it important? Do you consider him a role model? Why, or why not?
Discuss why the U.S. Constitution includes a separation of church and state. The Lemon v. Kurtzman law that was overturned by Kennedy's case was specifically about keeping religion out of public school education: Do you think that's important? Why, or why not?
Not included in the film is the fact that it's illegal for a public school to appear to endorse any religion or religious exercise. But Kennedy was leading prayer in the locker room and on the field while still engaged in his role as a school employee, and his fight ultimately drew attention from potentially dangerous people. Step into the shoes of the school district superintendent: How would you handle this?
At different times in their lives, Joe and Denise are the victims of domestic violence. If you or someone you know is being abused, what should you do to help?
Movie Details
- In theaters : October 11, 2024
- On DVD or streaming : November 8, 2024
- Cast : Eric Close , Amy Acker , Austin Woods
- Director : Harold Cronk
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studios : Fathom Events , Pure Flix Entertainment
- Genre : Drama
- Topics : Activism , Faith ( Christianity ) , History , School ( High School )
- Character Strengths : Gratitude , Perseverance
- Run time : 100 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : some thematic material and violence
- Last updated : February 4, 2026
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