Common Sense Media Review
By Tara McNamara
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
BFFs enjoy Italy in comic sequel with wine, salty language.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Book Club: The Next Chapter
What's the Story?
BOOK CLUB: THE NEXT CHAPTER opens during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Stay-at-home orders end up leading to Vivian (Jane Fonda) getting engaged for the first time. When travel restrictions lift, her best friends -- Diane (Diane Keaton), Sharon (Candice Bergen), and Carol (Mary Steenburgen) -- decide to throw her a bachelorette party in Italy. As she gets ready to walk down the aisle, the others have their own situations to deal with: Diane is living with her boyfriend while unable to part with her late husband's ashes, married Carol is tempted by an ex-boyfriend, and Sharon is happily single and not afraid to mingle.
Is It Any Good?
It's crystal clear that the driving reason for this so-so sequel is that the cast and crew wanted to travel to Italy after the pandemic. But, hey, at least they take viewers with them on their adventure. Italy is presented as appealing and appetizing, with incredible architecture, cobblestone streets, significant art, delectable wine and food, and picturesque Venetian gondolas. In other words, Book Club: The Next Chapter doesn't offer any new discoveries -- rather, it delivers the idea of Italy that many non-Italians likely already have in their head.
The dialogue is so rote that if you found out it was written by artificial intelligence, you probably wouldn't be surprised. But it's not bad. It's fun, and that's important, because it also portrays women over 70 as being vital, engaged, and an important part of society. And the story's COVID-19 context makes the movie's ultimate message -- "Life is what you make of it, so be brave, be bold, and just do something" -- meaningful.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how Book Club: The Next Chapter depicts women over 70. What other films have you seen with senior women as the main characters? Why does diverse representation of all kinds matter?
What role does drinking play in the characters' lives? Do you think they drink responsibly? Does the film make drinking seem appealing?
How do the friends stay connected during the COVID-19 pandemic? How do you think they stayed so close over 50 years? Why is in-person connection and communication important?
What is a travelogue? How does this film bring Italy to you on the screen? Does it make you want to visit?
The book club is reading The Alchemist. Did you feel like you need to have read it to enjoy the movie? Does it make you want to read it?
Movie Details
- In theaters : May 12, 2023
- On DVD or streaming : July 11, 2023
- Cast : Jane Fonda , Diane Keaton , Candice Bergen , Mary Steenburgen
- Director : Bill Holderman
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s) , Female Movie Writer(s)
- Studio : Focus Features
- Genre : Comedy
- Topics : Friendship
- Character Strengths : Communication
- Run time : 107 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : some strong language and suggestive material
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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