Common Sense Media Review
By Barbara Shulgasser-Parker
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Two wounded teens heal together; some mature themes.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
See You on Venus
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 15 parent reviews
Parents say the film adapts a heartfelt story that emphasizes the importance of love, life journeys, and personal growth, resonating emotionally with audiences of all ages. Many reviewers appreciate the deep characters, humor, and beautiful visuals, often recommending the book for its profound and touching narrative.
- emotional journey
- deep characters
- love and growth
- humor and inspiration
- suitable for all ages
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
Based on 3 kid reviews
What's the Story?
In SEE YOU ON VENUS, grieving and depressed high school senior Kyle (Alex Aiono) feels responsible for the injury and death suffered by passengers in a car crash. He was driving but can't remember what happened. Desolate, he climbs a cliff and seems ready to jump when a strange girl below distracts him by crying for help. Mia (Virginia Gardner), it turns out, was friends with Noah, the boy who died in the crash. At age 18, she is about to age out of the foster care system and has secretly saved up for a trip to Spain, where she believes the mother who abandoned her lives. She doesn't know Kyle at all but blackmails him into going with her for ten days. And, implausibly, she also persuades his parents to let him head for Europe with a complete stranger. Slowly she reveals her scheme to Kyle and he ultimately helps her achieve her goal and more.
Is It Any Good?
See You on Venus is a tear-jerker, but a silly, over-serious one. Teens who have been through trauma utter greeting card-worthy philosophical twaddle as if it's profound, leaving the audience shrugging. A character's last name is "Faith" and she is creepily intrusive, over the top in her lack of boundaries. Doom and gloom are clumsily telegraphed when a young, seemingly healthy girl regularly takes a pill. Whatever is wrong with her, we can be sure it ain't gonna be good.
Even the title's metaphor makes no sense. Mia loves Venus because "on my Venus," there is no war or unhappiness, meaning Pasadena could just as easily be her favorite place and the metaphor would make just as little sense. The central idea that teens can heal each other from trauma is useful, just not well executed here. Gardner and Aiono manage to overcome the absurd script and create a nearly believable connection between two one-dimensional characters so, beware, tears may flow.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the premise that parents would allow their grieving son to go off on a spur-of-the-moment trip to Europe with a complete stranger. Does the movie's basis feel unbelievable? Does it matter? Why or why not?
When Mia enlists a complete stranger to travel with her, do her actions feel believable? Why or why not?
What messages do you think the movie is trying to convey? Do they seem valuable?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : November 17, 2023
- Cast : Virginia Gardner , Alex Aiono , Alex Astort-Fabra
- Director : Joaquin Llamas
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s) , Indigenous Movie Actor(s) , Polynesian/Pacific Islander Movie Actor(s) , Female Movie Writer(s)
- Studio : Netflix
- Genre : Romance
- Run time : 94 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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