Parents' Guide to Next Exit

Movie NR 2022 106 minutes
Two heads emerge from the top of a circular scene of a figure walking along a road, with a second figure walking upside down below on the poster for Next Exit.

Common Sense Media Review

Kat Halstead By Kat Halstead , based on child development research. How do we rate?

age 15+

Sci-fi road trip has strong language, suicide references.

Parents Need to Know

Why Age 15+?

Any Positive Content?

  • Next Exit Trailer
  • Next Exit: Rahul Kohli looks at Katie Parker, both wearing coats against a sprawling rural landscape.
  • Next Exit: Katie Parker wears a beanie hat and large scarf at a gas station.
  • Next Exit: Katie Parker and Rahul Kohli look out of the back window of a car.

Parent and Kid Reviews

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What's the Story?

In NEXT EXIT, strangers Rose (Katie Parker) and Teddy (Rahul Kohli) find themselves on a road trip together to take part in a radical scientific experiment that seeks a future after death. However, the further they drive, the more their past seems to catch up with them.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say : Not yet rated
Kids say : Not yet rated

With an original premise and poignant themes, this debut feature from writer-director Mali Elfman (daughter of film composer Danny Elfman) breathes an element of new life into the sci-fi genre. Parker and Kohli manage to balance raw emotion with dark humor, emerging as two strangely likable leads in Next Exit. Their spiky defense mechanisms and bleak outlooks are gradually weathered by an undeniable connection that constantly uncovers new sides to their characters. There's familiarity to the road trip and odd couple tropes, which follow a fairly safe structure. But there's no denying the originality and overall impact that make this a strong debut from a director to watch.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the ethical questions Next Exit posed around assisted suicide. How did you feel about the scientific experiment the characters signed up for?

  • As Rose and Teddy let their guards down they are able to show empathy toward each other. Why is this an important character strength? Can you think of a time when you've shown empathy in your own life?

  • Discuss the language used in the movie. Did it seem necessary, or excessive? What did it contribute to the movie?

  • How did the film represent drinking and smoking? Were they glamorized? Why does that matter? What are some of the real-life consequences of these acts?

  • What role did sex play in the movie? Was it affectionate? Respectful? Parents, talk to your teens about your own values regarding sex and relationships.

Movie Details

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Two heads emerge from the top of a circular scene of a figure walking along a road, with a second figure walking upside down below on the poster for Next Exit.

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