Common Sense Media Review
By Monique Jones
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Drama about disordered eating has intense scenes, language.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Parachute
What's the Story?
PARACHUTE follows Riley (Courtney Eaton), a young woman who's just left a recovery program for disordered eating (and the symptoms that often come with it, including depression, comparison, self-loathing, suicidal ideation, and self-harm). Almost immediately, she falls into a friendship with Ethan (Thomas Mann). Their relationship wavers between platonic and romantic as Riley battles herself and her disorder, leading to complications in her relationship with Ethan—and setbacks in her unsteady road to recovery.
Is It Any Good?
This drama is a solid entry in the often cliché-ridden world of New York-set indie romantic films. Because, despite having many of the trappings of a stereotypical indie film, Parachute—which marks the directorial debut of actor Brittany Snow—dives deep into the experiences of someone with disordered eating, depression, and self-harm issues. In fact, the film might be triggering for viewers who've dealt with disordered eating in the past—so be mindful of that if you're in that situation. But if you can watch the film without risking your own mental health, Parachute offers a compassionate, eye-opening look at how a mental disorder impacts not only the person diagnosed with it, but also everyone else around them. It also shows how sometimes hitting rock bottom can be the wake-up call a person needs before realizing that they must take responsibility for their mental health and their actions. The movie's focus on mental health—as well as the stars' interesting performances—make Parachute stand out from other indie films, if not enough to qualify it as a totally new take on the romantic drama genre.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how Parachute depicts Riley's struggles with mental health and disordered eating. Does it feel realistic? What other movies or shows have you seen that tackle this subject?
How does Riley try to self-soothe? Are the actions she takes healthy or unhealthy? When is it important to talk about mental health, especially if you're worried about a friend or family member? What resources are available to help both kids and adults?
How do Riley's friends empathize with her mental condition? How do they show her compassion? Why does Riley deny herself compassion?
Why does Ethan feel like he's an enabler of Riley's condition? How do his experiences with his dad play a role in his relationship with Riley?
Movie Details
- In theaters : April 5, 2024
- On DVD or streaming : April 12, 2024
- Cast : Courtney Eaton , Thomas Mann , Gina Rodriguez , Joel McHale , Dave Bautista
- Director : Brittany Snow
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s) , Asian Movie Actor(s) , Indigenous Movie Actor(s) , Polynesian/Pacific Islander Movie Actor(s) , Latino Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Vertical Entertainment
- Genre : Romance
- Character Strengths : Compassion , Empathy
- Run time : 108 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : April 13, 2024
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
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate