Common Sense Media Review
By Barbara Shulgasser-Parker
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Animated short sensitively explores school shootings.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
If Anything Happens I Love You
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 1 parent review
Based on 13 kid reviews
Kids say that this film is beautifully made but overwhelmingly sad, focusing on the grief of parents who lost a child due to a school shooting, which can be too intense for younger viewers. Reviews suggest it's best suited for emotionally mature tweens and teens, as the themes of loss and violence, while handled carefully, may be distressing for children under 10.
- beautiful storytelling
- emotional impact
- suitable for teens
- mature themes
- parental guidance necessary
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
In 12 brief minutes, IF ANTYHING HAPPENS I LOVE YOU wordlessly depicts the grief of senseless loss that parents, families, and friends suffer in the aftermath of school and other shootings. The title words come from the last text sent home by a young student shot shortly after hitting "send." The filmmakers use shadows to express the parents' changeable inner feelings, including rage, depression, guilt, shame, and longing.
Is It Any Good?
If Anything Happens I Love You sensitively shows the aftermath of gun violence. Melancholy images of two devastated parents and the shadow selves that follow them in their grief convey the private but also universal damage such families endure. In drab grays and muted colors, this eloquently conveys what grief looks like. The choice to keep the animation minimalist and to pare down the lives of those in mourning to the barest essentials proves to be a moving one.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how different people cope with tragedy in their lives. Do you think the film accurately conveys how some parents would feel at the loss of a child? Why or why not?
How do you think the parents depicted here will move forward with their lives? Does the movie give any clues?
What point of view does the movie present about the availability of guns to school shooters? Do you agree or disagree?
Movie Details
- In theaters : March 7, 2020
- On DVD or streaming : November 20, 2020
- Directors : Michael Govier , Will McCormack
- Studio : Netflix
- Genre : Drama
- Run time : 12 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : strong thematic material involving gun violence
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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