Common Sense Media Review
By Jennifer Green
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Strong emotions, positive messages in book adaptation.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 10+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Out of My Mind
What's the Story?
The star of OUT OF MY MIND, Melody Brooks (Phoebe-Rae Taylor), is a typical sixth grader interested in boys, shiny shoes, and lip gloss. But, she's also unable to speak and is confined to a wheelchair due to cerebral palsy. Her parents, Diane (Rosemarie DeWitt) and dad Chuck (Luke Kirby), recognize that she is more intelligent than her abilities allow them to know. This begins to change when a researcher (Courtney Taylor) studying how students with disabilities are treated in schools spends time with her and takes her into a regular sixth grade classroom. Despite an impatient teacher (Michael Chernus) and snarky classmates, Melody thrives and rises to the top of her class. Still, her parents must advocate at every turn for their daughter to be given a chance to participate in life like any other kid her age.
Is It Any Good?
Rarely does an underdog children's film hit so many notes so well, but the combination of great source material, an excellent script, and heartrending performances makes this a deeply affecting movie. Working from the bestselling YA novel of the same name, Out of My Mind cleverly introduces the film's main character Melody and lets us see the world from her perspective. This is a neat trick since she can't speak. Instead, we're privy to her innermost thoughts, likes, and dislikes thanks to a combination of voiceover narration (Jennifer Aniston's recognizable voice) and images on Melody's word board.
We also empathize with her frustration when others don't listen to (or hear) her. The constant indignations, low expectations, and unkindness that Melody experiences don't define her or determine her potential, but they're awfully heart-wrenching to watch. When she stands up for herself, it can't come soon enough, even though admittedly the film has to quicken events and her transformation following the arrival of a machine which allows her to "speak." Newcomer Taylor plays Melody with great intelligence and personality, mostly through facial gestures. DeWitt and Kirby as her parents are full of raw emotion. Themes and messages are wrapped into an engaging story full of genuine characters, which make this an emotional and memorable film.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how other kids react to and treat Melody in Out of My Mind. What do they learn about her and themselves over the course of the movie?
If you've read the book this film is based on, how does the movie compare? What's different? Is anything missing for you?
How does Melody demonstrate perseverance, both physically and mentally, in this film? Did you agree with Dr. Post when she said if she were in Melody's place she would shout in anger?
What do Melody's teacher and classmates learn about empathy from interacting with Melody? In what ways do they not show empathy earlier in the film?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : November 22, 2024
- Cast : Phoebe Rae-Taylor , Jennifer Aniston , Luke Kirby
- Director : Amber Sealey
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Director(s) , Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Disney+
- Genre : Drama
- Topics : Book Characters , Friendship , School ( Middle School )
- Character Strengths : Empathy , Perseverance
- Run time : 107 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Award : Common Sense Selection
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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