Common Sense Media Review
By Monique Jones
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Politically savvy comedy promotes courage; salty language.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Re-Election
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
RE-ELECTION follows Jimmy Bauer (Adam Saunders), who still feels stuck years after losing his high school presidential election and dropping out. His former opponent, Manish Singh (Rizwan Manji), has gone on to become the governor of Texas, while Jimmy is still working at his father's (Tony Danza) failing collectibles store. Jimmy's sister, Shawna (Patty Guggenheim), convinces Jimmy to go back to high school to make something of himself, but all he can think about is reliving his high school political dreams. Through his developing friendship with student council board member Noa Polly (Bex Taylor-Klaus) and his former high school friend/current teacher Ama Fernandez (Nathalie Kelley), Jimmy may finally mature past his high school life and embrace his future.
Is It Any Good?
This is a fun comedy that paints a flattering picture of Dallas, Texas, in terms of diversity and community. Southerners are used to seeing southern cities portrayed as backward in the media, but they also know that the region is as politically diverse and sophisticated as anywhere else in the United Sates. And on that front, Re-Election might actually change some viewers' minds about what the South is really like.
Re-Election also offers sly commentary on U.S. politics when it comes to cults of personality and fascist-leaning political campaigns. Through the film's allegorical-style telling of a high school presidential race, it shows how courage can inject much-needed morality into politics, allowing candidates to stand up for others and—maybe—actually make society better.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the message of Re-Election. How would you summarize it? How do the characters' actions and decisions reflect that message? How do they demonstrate courage?
Do you consider Jimmy's campaign a commentary on contemporary U.S. politics? If so, how?
How does the film demonstrate that it values diversity? Why does representation in the media matter?
What does Jimmy learn about adulthood over the course of the movie? Teens: What do you think it will be like to be an adult?
Movie Details
- In theaters : October 10, 2025
- On DVD or streaming : November 11, 2025
- Cast : Adam Saunders , Bex Taylor-Klaus , Kym Whitley , Tony Danza
- Director : Adam Saunders
- Inclusion Information : Non-Binary Movie Actor(s) , Transgender Movie Actor(s) , Female Movie Actor(s) , Black Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Picturehouse
- Genre : Comedy
- Topics : Friendship , School ( High School )
- Character Strengths : Courage
- Run time : 89 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : some strong language, suggestive material and teen partying
- Last updated : November 2, 2025
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