Parents' Guide to Demi Lovato: Simply Complicated

Parents need to know that Demi Lovato: Simply Complicated is a documentary about the Disney child star-turned-pop superstar. Early on, Lovato says that the last time they'd been interviewed, they were high on cocaine. Later, viewers see visuals of cocaine getting cut into lines with a razor blade. Lovato speaks frankly about the intense bullying they suffered as a tween; classmates created a "suicide petition" directed at them. Other topics include mental health, eating disorders, and how it was all magnified by the pressures of child stardom. The "it's lonely at the top" theme is heightened as Lovato discusses the hard work and dedication required to succeed in entertainment. "F--k" is bleeped repeatedly; other words include "bitch" and "hell." Lovato says they enjoy casual sex, and there's talk of how they want to "close the deal" on a date. While much of the film is devoted to showing how Lovato stays successful after their struggles, it also raises questions of how these struggles are different for people without access to support and resources like rehab programs, personal trainers, chefs, managers, and even therapy sessions. Some of the "real talk" about Lovato's problems is overshadowed by their pop-star life of clubbing, dating celebrities, and so on. Lovato is shown working in the studio and performing, but there's not much talk of actual music. At the end, there's a brief mention of their fans and literally one second showing them doing charity work.

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