Common Sense Media Review
By Kat Halstead
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Intergenerational LGBTQ+ drama has sex, language.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 16+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
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Jimpa
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
In JIMPA, Hannah (Olivia Colman) takes a trip with her husband Harry (Daniel Henshall) and teenager Frances (Aud Mason-Hyde) to visit her father, lovingly called Jimpa (John Lithgow). On their journey from Australia to Amsterdam, 16-year-old Frances, who's trans and non-binary, reveals they want to temporarily live with Jimpa, a gay man who surrounds himself with LGBTQ+ friends—a community Frances is desperate to connect with. The situation puts Hannah on high alert, and leads her to confront her fears and some difficult truths.
Is It Any Good?
Director Sophie Hyde's most personal work to date, this semi-autobiographical story of identity and conflict within an intergenerational family is a warm, but sometimes overly talky film. Jimpa has plenty to say, but the script lacks subtlety and can feel a little preachy in places, with the characters sometimes stepping into stereotypes of their eras rather than individuals. Luckily the performances really keep it afloat. Colman and Lithgow give the reliably powerful but nuanced turns we've come to expect from their careers, and Mason-Hyde is likably wide-eyed but self-assured in their role as Frances. The streets of Amsterdam are filmed in an appealing golden hue that makes it look like a dream-like escape, and the interiors of Jimpa's stylish townhouse are full of detail and the sense of a life rich with stories and experiences. It's an emotive movie, but there's something about it that holds back, with Hyde's closeness to the material maybe reflecting Hannah's unwillingness to get into her family's conflict and choosing to focus on their love instead. But what the film is saying, despite itself, is that the two inevitably walk hand-in-hand.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the themes of love and conflict in Jimpa. How did different characters show their love? What conflicts were bubbling beneath the surface? Why do you think we sometimes avoid conflict with those we love?
The movie centers two characters from within the LGBTQ+ community. One is a gay father and grandfather, and one a trans, non-binary teenager. How did the film portray their connection through their community but also the tension that sometimes came with the vast difference between their experiences? Why is it important to see different characters from within the queer community portrayed on-screen?
Discuss the use of strong language in the movie. What did it contribute to the story? Is a certain level of language expected in a film like this? If so, why?
How was sex portrayed and discussed in the movie? Was it affectionate? Respectful? Parents, talk to your teens about your own values regarding sex and relationships.
The movie is semi-autobiographical for co-writer and director Sophie Hyde. What do you think some of the benefits and some of the challenges might be of using your own experiences in this way?
Movie Details
- In theaters : February 6, 2026
- On DVD or streaming : March 24, 2026
- Cast : Olivia Colman , John Lithgow , Aud Mason-Hyde
- Director : Sophie Hyde
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Director(s) , Female Movie Actor(s) , Non-Binary Movie Actor(s) , Queer Movie Actor(s) , Transgender Movie Actor(s) , Female Movie Writer(s)
- Studio : Kino Lorber
- Genre : Drama
- Topics : Family Stories ( Dads , Grandparents , Moms )
- Character Strengths : Communication , Empathy
- Run time : 113 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : February 3, 2026
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