Running Naked
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Running Naked
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this movie.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Running Naked is a touching British comedy drama that deals with terminal illness and mental health, alongside themes of friendship, empathy, and seizing the day. Having survived cancer in their teens, Ben (Andrew Gower) and Mark (Matthew McNulty), now in their 30s, promise each other to make the most of life. Ben suffers from OCD and anxiety. There is plenty of casual strong language throughout, including "f--k" and "s--t," frequently delivered in a lighthearted context. Characters are shown naked, or partially naked, in several scenes for comedic purposes -- Ben and Mark are shown running naked through a hospital both as teens and as adults. There are also two brief, non-explicit sex scenes and one scene where someone punches a police officer. There are several instances of drinking alcohol and a gambling scene in which characters win lots of money. But overall the positive messages are the prominent themes with emphasis on the importance of nurturing your relationships and overcoming your fears. Spoiler alert: A main character's health detoriates due to late-stage cancer and eventually dies -- though his actual death isn't shown. His friends are seen mourning, but the scene is gentle and touching with an uplifting tone.
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What's the Story?
RUNNING NAKED tells the story of Ben (Andrew Gower) and Mark (Matthew McNulty), lifelong friends who met as teens when they were both being treated for cancer. Now in their 30s, they're dealing with the trials of adult life -- relationships, careers, and, in Ben's case, the challenges of his obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). When they receive some bleak news, the two friends embark on a mission to live in the moment, discovering more about each other -- and themselves -- as they go.
Is It Any Good?
Serious themes are handled with a light touch in this comedy drama that manages to find humor in a story that hinges on some of the toughest subject matter -- terminal illness and mental health. Often emotional, sometimes bleak, but also punctuated by moments of joy, Running Naked is carried along at a pleasing pace by Gower and McNulty as Ben and Mark. From the way they bond as teens to the shift in their relationship as they hit their 30s, this archetypal "odd couple" maintain a friendship that is as unlikely as it is touching.
Like many of the best British indie movies, this production is not flashy or glamorous, but it feels real. Skillful cinematography finds the beauty in an ordinary world with clever scene setting, careful camera angles, and characters who are genuine and compelling. And while at times the narrative is unrefined, there is plenty of empathy and a strong sense of the value of human relationships. Fundamentally this movie is a journey of self-discovery for two people, both of whom just want to help a friend to live their best life.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the positive messages in Running Naked. What did you take from the movie? Did you find it inspiring? Discuss how the movie balanced tragedy with optimism? Do you think it handled it well?
Would you describe Ben and Mark as good role models -- as teens and/or adults? How did they display traits such as courage, empathy, and compassion?
Talk about the way OCD is dealt with in the movie. Did you think Mark was a sympathetic portrayal of someone struggling with obsessive behaviors? What do you know about OCD as a mental illness?
Discuss the strong language in the movie. Did it seem necessary or excessive? What did it contribute to the movie?
How was sex portrayed in the movie? Was it affectionate? Respectful? Parents, talk to your teens about your own values regarding sex and relationships.
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming: April 6, 2021
- Cast: Matthew McNulty, Andrew Gower, Tamzin Merchant
- Director: Victor Buhler
- Studio: Trinity Creative Partnership
- Genre: Comedy
- Topics: Friendship
- Character Strengths: Compassion, Courage, Empathy
- Run time: 92 minutes
- MPAA rating: NR
- Last updated: April 29, 2022
Our Editors Recommend
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Me and Earl and the Dying Girl
Deeply moving, irreverent film about friends, cancer, life.
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The Fault in Our Stars
Heartbreaking love story is a must-see for fans of the book.
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50/50
Cancer patient questions his life in mature dramedy.
For kids who love indie films
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