Parents' Guide to

Mainstream

By Tara McNamara, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 17+

Nudity, drinking, profanity in loud influencer satire.

Movie R 2021 94 minutes
Mainstream Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Community Reviews

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age 15+

Based on 3 parent reviews

bluesky
bluesky Parent of 13 and 15-year-old
December 4, 2022
age 13+

13+

This movie was OK. I think it’s similar to other Netflix movies I’ve seen with my daughter in the past. There’s nothing too bad about this movie I think 13+ is an appropriate age rating.

This title has:

Educational value
Great messages
Amy W.
Amy W. Parent of 12-year-old
December 4, 2022
age 14+

Pretty good movie

I think this movie was very good, and there were some gray actors in it. I watch this with my younger daughter, who is 13 and I think it was fine for her. It’s just one of those teen movies that have sort of the same concept. Overall, I think it was fine for her.

This title has:

Educational value
See all 3 parent reviews

What's the Story?

When Frankie (Maya Hawke) meets eccentric Link (Andrew Garfield), she knows she's found her muse and the star of her YouTube channel. With Frankie's friend Jake (Nat Wolff) writing the content, Link and the channel become a viral sensation. But what's the cost of maintaining that success?

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (3):
Kids say (2):

Gia Coppola's sophomore feature effort is a memorable, jarring satire that could help teens think critically about the personalities who influence their actions, attitudes, and self-worth. It starts when Link, a handsome stranger with a big personality, jumps into the frame of wannabe filmmaker Frankie's recording and creates something unexpected. Inevitably, the video racks up views on YouTube. Who wouldn't want to seize the moment to see where the self-generated streaming content train takes them? Link is a modern-day prophet of sorts, and he, Frankie, and Jake start with a vision to create art that offers commentary about how smartphones are taking away people's connectedness and mental acuity. But with success, they become the very thing they're parodying. This offers a valuable media literacy lesson for the modern age, but the delivery -- while creative -- isn't likely to shake the hold that actual YouTube and other social media platforms have on teens.

As an actor, Garfield is so likable that it catches you off-guard when he wholly transforms into Link, an authentically outrageous and obnoxious YouTuber. There's not a drop of Peter Parker or Eduardo Saverin in this wild performance, and it gets harder and harder to see the actor inside the outlandish character. Instead, it's easier and easier to see provocateurs like Jake Paul (who cameos without irony). Link's antics aren't outside the realm of believability, particularly in the unregulated wilds of the internet. But in following content creators who criticize people's unhealthy dependence on digital platforms, Coppola misses exposing the sloppy, opportunistic motivations of influencers who abuse their viewers' trust and loyalty for personal profit. Teens may be put off by a film that preaches to rather than speaks with them, but the seeds of skepticism about influencer culture will likely germinate.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the power of social media influencers and what motivates them to produce content. Which YouTubers or social media stars do you believe act responsibly? Irresponsibly?

  • How is Mainstream satire, and what's the difference between satire, parody, and a spoof? How can entertainment be used to teach media literacy?

  • What does the film have to say about people's current relationship to smartphones? Teens: How do you think your life and your friends' lives are affected by technology? Why does making a device convenient make it more likely to become a compulsive habit?

  • What do you think is the psychological effect of seeking validation in the form of "likes," followers, and subscribers?

  • What is the movie's message about beauty? How do you think social media, filters, and beauty influencers impact our self-image and self-esteem? Do you think it's better or worse than pre-social media times, when magazines, commercials, and movies dominated this landscape?

Movie Details

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

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