Common Sense Media Review
By Kat Halstead
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Mature themes, self-harm in teen mental health drama.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
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Where to Watch
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I Am Ruth
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
In I AM RUTH, single mother Ruth (Kate Winslet) is struggling to connect with her withdrawn 17-year-old daughter, Freya (Mia Threapleton), who is becoming increasingly obsessed with social media. As Freya becomes less responsive, with her grades falling and her communication almost nonexistent, Ruth struggles to know how to reach or help her child as she slips further away.
Is It Any Good?
Oscar winner Winslet stars opposite her real-life daughter in this hard-hitting drama about teenage mental health and challenging mother-daughter dynamics. Winslet gives a reliably impressive performance in I Am Ruth, but it's the early career turn from her daughter Threapleton that really steals the show. The dynamic between the two is rich with unspoken resentment and love. Both are isolated and powerless in their own way, making it both frustrating and tragic to watch at times. At one point, Winslet describes herself as a "strong, normal person," showing just how far removed she is from the acceptance of her daughter's struggle. Yet she's broken by the inability to help, the powerlessness to fix something she doesn't understand. The film is shot on a handheld camera, which adds to the "kitchen sink," almost documentary style. Freya's bedroom is always bathed in dim, gloomy lighting, despite how desperate her mother is to "get some air in." It's devastating and terrifying to watch, but important as a starting point for some complex conversations between parents and teens.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how Freya's experience was portrayed in I Am Ruth. How was her point of view put across? Which scenes gave the most insight into how she felt and why?
How was the topic of mental health more widely portrayed in the film? What was Ruth's approach to helping her daughter? Where might you go as a parent, teen, family member, or friend if someone close to you is struggling?
What role did social media play in the story? How did it impact Freya and her struggles? What are some of the pros and cons of being online?
Talk about some of the language used. Did it seem necessary, or excessive? What did it contribute to the movie? Is a certain level of language expected in a film like this?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : December 8, 2022
- Cast : Kate Winslet , Mia Threapleton , Joe Anders
- Director : Dominic Savage
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s) , Female Movie Writer(s)
- Studio : Max
- Genre : Drama
- Character Strengths : Compassion , Perseverance
- Run time : 92 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : April 15, 2025
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