Common Sense Media Review
By Stefan Pape
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Tender romantic drama has graphic sex, drinking, language.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 16+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
God's Own Country
What's the Story?
GOD'S OWN COUNTRY takes place on an isolated farm in Yorkshire, England, focusing on young sheep farmer Johnny (Josh O'Connor) who is at a crossroads in his life. Struggling to care for his father, Martin (Ian Hart), and numbing his depression with alcohol abuse, his spirits are lifted with the arrival of Romanian migrant worker Gheorghe (Alec Secareanu), as the two embark on an intense and beautiful relationship.
Is It Any Good?
God's Own Country is one of the great romantic movies in recent memory. Francis Lee's beautifully rendered drama manages to find so much tenderness and grace amidst the blood, the mud, and the beer, while the film's setting -- an isolated farm in the English countryside -- enriches the narrative. The movie examines not only the characters' relationships with one another, but to the land they inhabit.
The two central performances from O'Connor and Secareanu are staggeringly impressive, and it's no surprise to see their careers go from strength to strength. But it's the journey the characters go on that grabs our attention, forcing us to become immersed and besotted with their coming together. Though this film studies dark themes, and contains a bubbling xenophobia present throughout, it thrives in the notion of true love, and that can never be a bad thing.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how God's Own Country portrays sex. Is it affectionate? Respectful? Parents, talk to your teens about your own values regarding sex and relationships.
How are drinking and smoking portrayed? Why do some characters drink? Are their consequences? Why is that important?
Talk about the strong, racist, and homophobic language used in the movie. What does it contribute to the movie? Does it seem necessary or excessive?
How does the movie handle the subject of sexuality? How did it compare to other movies with LGBTQ+ characters? Do you think there should be more movies about same sex relationships?
Johnny and Gheorghe come from different parts of the world and from different backgrounds. What do you think is the key to their relationship? How does Gheorghe help Johnny? What do you think is the overall message we should take from the movie?
Movie Details
- In theaters : October 25, 2017
- On DVD or streaming : January 30, 2018
- Cast : Josh O'Connor , Alec Secareanu , Ian Hart
- Director : Francis Lee
- Inclusion Information : Queer Movie Director(s) , Middle Eastern/North African Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Orion Pictures
- Genre : Drama
- Topics : Animals
- Character Strengths : Communication
- Run time : 104 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
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