Common Sense Media Review
By Jennifer Green
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Violence, drinking in Tyler Perry-produced dramatic romance.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
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Ruth & Boaz
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
Ruth (Serayah) is a struggling singer in Atlanta at the start of RUTH & BOAZ. Her boyfriend, Marlon (Chaundre Hall-Broomfield), introduces her to his parents, Naomi (Phylicia Rashad) and Eli (Gregory Alan Williams), who are none too impressed with her sexy performance. Fed up with making bad music, Ruth tells her manager, Syrus (James Lee Thomas), that she's quitting. In retaliation, Syrus orchestrates a revenge plot that accidentally leads to the killing of both Marlon and Eli. Devastated, Naomi decides to return to Tennessee, and Ruth goes with her. There, they will rebuild their lives, with the help of handsome local winemaker Boaz (Tyler Lepley).
Is It Any Good?
Attractive stars and settings make this Tyler Perry-produced romance passable, but a voiceover narration almost sinks the whole production. Rashad's occasional narration in Ruth & Boaz is stuffy and artificial. It's not the actor's fault—when you're given lines like "love is patient" and "letting go can be hard," there's not a lot of nuance to work with. In that sense, this film follows other Perry productions in pairing slick production values with shallow scripts. Serayah and Lepley make an attractive couple; her singing and his physique set against a golden-lit vineyard are likely to draw viewers, as will a cameo by musical artist Babyface.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about why Syrus felt Ruth owed him something in Ruth & Boaz. Did his vengeance feel justified or logical? Why or why not?
How does the Biblical story of Ruth and Boaz parallel this plot? Where could you find more information?
How does this film fit with other movies produced or directed by Tyler Perry?
In what ways does this film buck stereotypes? What stereotypes does it promote? Explain.
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : September 26, 2025
- Cast : Serayah , Tyler Lepley , Phylicia Rashad
- Director : Alanna Brown
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Director(s) , Female Movie Actor(s) , Black Movie Actor(s) , African American Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Netflix
- Genre : Drama
- Topics : Faith ( Christianity ) , Family Stories , Friendship
- Run time : 93 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : September 26, 2025
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