Common Sense Media Review
By Jennifer Green
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Diverse but muddled adaptation has drinking, mild innuendo.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 10+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
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Persuasion (2022)
What's the Story?
It's been eight years since Anne Elliot (Dakota Johnson) was persuaded to break off her engagement to Captain Frederick Wentworth (Cosmo Jarvis) at the start of PERSUASION. She was convinced to do so because Wentworth was not as wealthy as her family. Now, her father (Richard E. Grant) has overspent the family into debt, meaning they must rent out their estate and move to a humbler abode temporarily. Their renters turn out to be related to Wentworth, who comes for a visit. It's clear Anne and Wentworth still have feelings for each other, but neither will admit it. This leads Wentworth into a new relationship, and Anne, meanwhile, is pursued by wealthy cousin William (Henry Golding).
Is It Any Good?
The imposition of anachronistic elements to modernize Jane Austen's novel ultimately undermines the story and characters. From a trendy exploitation of fourth-wall breaking to unsubtle sexual innuendo, modern-day music, and 21st century self-help speak, Persuasion doesn't seem content enough with its original material. This is a shame, and the excellent cast suffers for it; in fact, adding in a contemporary diversity is one modernization that does work well here. Johnson has the charisma and credibility to hold the camera's attention, but the snarky asides and forced complicity just don't fit with the character or the time period, otherwise faithfully crafted in beautiful settings and wardrobes. This is a mixed bag that could've been better.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the adaptation of a book into a movie, as with Persuasion. What do you imagine are some of the challenges of an adaptation? What other book-based movies have you watched? Any by Jane Austen?
What do you think of the character of Anne talking to the camera? Does this make you feel more or less engaged in the story? What other movies or series have you seen this device in?
In what ways do the characters here feel of their time? In what ways do they feel more modern?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : July 15, 2022
- Cast : Dakota Johnson , Cosmo Jarvis , Henry Golding
- Director : Carrie Cracknell
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s) , Asian Movie Actor(s) , Female Movie Writer(s)
- Studio : Netflix
- Genre : Romance
- Topics : Book Characters , Family Stories ( Siblings ) , Friendship
- Run time : 109 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : some suggestive references
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
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