Parents' Guide to

October Baby

By Renee Longstreet, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 15+

Faith-based drama about adoption, abortion, forgiveness.

Movie PG-13 2012 105 minutes
October Baby Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

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

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age 14+

Based on 8 parent reviews

crashtx1
crashtx1 Adult
April 10, 2012
age 13+

Somewhat uneven but overall good message

The reviewer did a pretty good job. The plot was slow moving and overly complicated, and my wife and I were still trying to sort out some of the flow after the movie was over(so I guess they transferred two severely premature babies from Mobile to where the family lives? Not likely, but ok). Also, the story did not seem to be written or consulted by anyone with adoptive children. There was virtually no use of "birth parents" or "biological parents", just "real mom" and other harsh terms used by the uneducated(I understand the use of those terms in moments of anger by the lead, but this was a constant by all throughout the movie). The morality shown by the leading lady was very good. Not preachy, but she stuck with her values throughout the movie. The writers did know how to pull on(and out) the heartstrings, again, especially if you have been involved in adoption. I do disagree that the conversation with the nurse was purposefully shocking. The entire storyline was about a girl born premature as the result of a failed abortion. At some point what actually happened during the abortion needed to be said. I thought that was the most real and most powerful part of the movie. If people cannot handle the truth then they can go watch Hunger Games again. The part of the movie I struggled with the most was the angle that the girl had emotional issues as a result of the failed abortion and **SPOILER ALERT** loss of her sibling. That seem to be the explanation to her inner turmoil while having a beyond perfect life with truly loving parents.

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
1 person found this helpful.
ira4636
ira4636 Parent of 11 and 13-year-old
September 26, 2022
age 16+

Fear, Shock, Drama, and Religion Used to Push Anti-Abortion Stance

If you want to use fear, confusion, shock, sadness, and an almost improbable scenario to make someone oppose abortion this is your movie. The movie is intensely melodramatic, dripping with judgement and shockingly disturbing (eg. scene with nurse detailing the attempted abortion where the ‘brother’s arm was torn off by the procedure’, etc.). I am so grateful I watched this before my 13-yr old son saw it in class. It is disturbing that people think this is the right way to ‘share’ their religious beliefs.
See all 8 parent reviews

What's the Story?

When Hannah Lawson (a heartfelt performance by newcomer Rachel Hendrix) unexpectedly collapses, her doctor stuns the 19-year-old with the news that not only is she adopted, but her premature birth was caused by a failed late-term abortion procedure. Her continuing medical problems (epilepsy, asthma, hip impairments) are also asserted to be a result of that early birth. Hannah's parents apologize and try to rationalize their secrecy, but the girl is devastated. She prevails upon her best friend, Jason (the sincere and likeable Jason Burkey), to include her on a spring break road trip to New Orleans with his friends. She hopes that they can stop over in Mobile, Alabama -- the city in which she was born -- to find her birth mother. What follows is Hannah's discovery of more heartbreaking news that her parents kept from her, as well as a series of hurtful encounters -- with Jason's girlfriend, with the nurse who assisted in Hannah's delivery, and with the biological mother who didn't want her. Angry, confused, and frightened, Hannah has to come to terms with her real identity, her parents' betrayal, and a world turned upside-down.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (8):
Kids say (8):

Earnest and well-meaning, OCTOBER BABY will most likely appeal to a Christian audience that already shares its guiding principles. A warm-hearted romance, good performances, and solid production values are marred by a slow pace, overly literal music choices, and illogical story elements. The plot relies heavily upon coincidence; the tragedies and lies pile up, and as they do, it becomes very hard to suspend disbelief. And the scene in which the delivery nurse (Jasmine Guy) describes the abortion attempt and Hannah's subsequent premature birth seems purposefully shocking (as well as unlikely) in order to drive home a particular point of view.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about what different audiences might get out of October Baby. If you're religious, do movies like this one help reaffirm your beliefs or introduce new ones? If you're not religious, what can you learn from them?

  • What are some of the different attitudes in movies and television about teen pregnancy? Why do you think kids are interested in shows like Teen Mom?

  • Talk about honesty between parents and kids. When, if ever, is it OK for parents to lie or keep secrets from their children? Teens: If you've ever been caught lying, how did your parents deal with it?

Movie Details

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