Common Sense Media Review
By Renee Schonfeld
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Aussie underdog sports drama has mild swearing.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 9+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Go Karts
What's the Story?
Teen Jack Hooper (William Lodder) arrives in a new town still healing from the years-earlier death of his dad in GO KARTS. Jack tries hard to be supportive of his single mom, Christie (Frances O'Connor), who is trying to make a new life for herself and her son. However, he can't yet control the anger and disappointment he has faced in his young life. In the coastal town of Busselton, go-karting is an important sporting event. Jack, making his first new friend, Colin (Darius Amarfio Jefferson), at an impromptu party, gets a glimpse of the sport and is intrigued. Taking a spin in the go-kart amazes him; it's thrilling, it's fun, and he does it surprisingly well for a novice! In the under-16 competition in Busselton, Dean (Cooper van Grootel), an arrogant rich kid, seems to win every race. In thrall of his first ride, Jack decides to take Dean on, maybe all the way to the national competition. Jack soon realizes that he has much to learn and can't rely only on what may be a natural talent. Enter Patrick (Richard Roxburgh), a grizzled go-kart veteran with an unhappy past, and Mandy (Anastasia Bampos), an outstanding mechanic and Dean's sister. Working as a team, Jack, Patrick, Mandy, and Colin attempt what seems to be impossible, but they're determined. But so is Dean. With his bullying sidekicks as his "team," Dean is determined to override Jack's plan.
Is It Any Good?
It's a well-worn story: new kid in town, dead dad, ascending competitions to win, bullies, an unlikely girl, and a has-been pro to make him grow up, but oddly the actors and go-karts make it fun. Richard Roxburgh, an Australian treasure, breathes life into what might have been a stock character as Patrick. William Lodder as Jack is natural and engaging and has heartthrob potential. For a low-budget effort, the go-kart races are fine. Suspense is limited, however. Each race goes exactly as predicted -- even the one race that the filmmakers hoped would be a "twist." For kids who like underdog sports stories, especially ones that add a fresh dialect and new sport to the mix, Go Karts is wholesome if not inventive movie-making.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the positive aspects of seeing movies from other countries, especially for kids. What are some of those positives? In what ways did Go Karts enrich your awareness of Australian culture? How were the teens in Australia like the kids in your own community? What, if anything, besides their accents was different?
Two themes pop up in lots of movies made for families and kids: losing a parent and moving to a new place. Do you think that using these elements makes the storyteller's job easier? Why or why not? How do those themes encourage audiences to feel sympathy for and root for the characters?
What does the word "mentor" mean? Who is the mentor in Go Karts? What does Jack learn from him? What does his mentor learn from Jack? Do you have a mentor in your life? Describe your relationship.
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : March 13, 2020
- Cast : William Lodder , Richard Roxburgh , Frances O'Connor
- Director : Owen Trevor
- Studio : Netflix
- Genre : Family and Kids
- Topics : Transportation ( Cars & Trucks ) , Friendship
- Run time : 102 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : September 30, 2025
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate