Common Sense Media Review
By Andrea Beach
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Weepy, faith-based adoption story gets heavy-handed.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 10+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Lifemark
What's the Story?
LIFEMARK tells the story of David (Raphael Ruggero), a senior in high school who just turned 18. David was adopted as a newborn, and has always known he was adopted but knows nothing about his birth parents. Now that he's 18, his birth mother, Melissa (Dawn Long), reaches out to David, hoping they can meet. David's curiosity wins out, and he agrees to meet Melissa. But what he learns about Melissa's story sends shockwaves through David and all of his loved ones.
Is It Any Good?
For most of its running time, this movie comes across as a sentimental, if emotionally manipulative, story about the beauty of adoption under the most ideal of circumstances. The acting in Lifemark is overall good, and the production quality is very good, too. Most of the script is fine, but there are quite a few unanswered questions and holes in the plot.
The last 15 minutes or so take a hard turn away from looking at adoption to hammer home the point that abortion is murder, and may add to some viewers' feeling emotionally manipulated again. There's no content of concern except the mature topics surrounding teen pregnancy, so it's best for tweens and up who are ready to take on these issues.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about David's character strengths in Lifemark. In what ways does he model empathy, gratitude, and communication?
Were you adopted, or do you know someone who was? If so, how does this movie compare to real-world experiences? If not, did this movie change what you think about adoption?
Have you seen many other faith-based movies? Which are your favorites? How does this one compare?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : November 22, 2022
- Cast : Raphael Ruggero
- Director : Kevin Peeples
- Studio : Mill Creek Entertainment
- Genre : Drama
- Topics : Friendship
- Run time : 120 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : some thematic material.
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
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