Common Sense Media Review
By Tara McNamara
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
College-set romance sequel offers MVP role models; drinking.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
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Sidelined 2: Intercepted
What's the Story?
In SIDELINED 2: INTERCEPTED, Texas high school sweethearts Dallas Bryan (Siena Agudong) and Drayton Lahey (Noah Beck) are now both attending colleges located in the LA area, just 37 miles apart. But they quickly learn that, in LA, a "short distance" relationship can mean a two-hour drive each way (yes, that's a real thing, geography stymies a number of promising romances in the City of Angels). With Dallas committed to the Cal Arts dance program and working as a barista to pay expenses and Drayton focused on practices and games as USC's starting quarterback, they don't have much time for romance.
Is It Any Good?
This sequel to the viral YA-based hit Sidelined: The QB and Me is a touchdown. It shows that you can't truly "happily ever after" a high school love story because life doesn't stop at 18. It's satisfactorily entertaining, but, more importantly, Sidelined 2: Intercepted provides a bit of higher education that some teens really need: When a high school relationship graduates to different universities, it adds a layer of real-world stress. Wrapped inside the trappings of an aspirational relationship is director Justin Wu and screenwriter Crystal Ferreiro's dose of reality: To have the best college experience, you should experience everything your college has to offer—the friendships, the opportunities, the special classes, and the events that pop up just from being present and available.
The script may be idealized, but it also feels accurate to what would happen to this driven, ambitious couple. (Parents are likely to perk up when Dallas breaks up with Drayton with words that have rarely been said before in cinematic romances: "You are my dream, but I have other dreams, too.") And it's definitely refreshing to show young people who are committed to each other and who aren't tempted by other admirers. Drayton and Dallas are focused on how to achieve their individual ambitions and goals, and they have family and friends who support that. Truly, the real villains here are time, distance, and balancing priorities—a grounded message that makes this sequel honest, hopeful, and worthwhile.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how Dallas and Drayton treat each other—and themselves—with respect in Sidelined 2: Intercepted. What happens when Drayton stops communicating because he's dealing with an upsetting situation—and how do they use communication to move forward? And how do we see perseverance demonstrated as a character strength, whether in maintaining their relationship or pursuing their passion? Do you consider them role models? Why, or why not?
What do you think the struggles are of maintaining a relationship across a distance, either short or long? Can you think of other movies or TV shows that have addressed that issue?
Teens: What would you expect the first year of college to be like? What does Sidelined 2: Intercepted get right—or wrong?
Is underage drinking normalized or glamorized here? Are there realistic consequences? Why does that matter?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : November 27, 2025
- Cast : Siena Agudong , Noah Beck , Charlie Gillespie
- Director : Justin Wu
- Inclusion Information : Gay Movie Director(s) , Asian Movie Director(s) , Chinese Movie Director(s) , Female Movie Actor(s) , Asian Movie Actor(s) , Polynesian/Pacific Islander Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Tubi
- Genre : Romance
- Topics : Arts ( Dance ) , School ( College & Graduate School ) , Sports ( Football )
- Character Strengths : Communication , Perseverance
- Run time : 118 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : November 26, 2025
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