Parents' Guide to

SPF-18

By Barbara Shulgasser-Parker, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 14+

Privileged teens come of age; some sex and swearing.

Movie PG-13 2017 75 minutes
SPF-18 Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Community Reviews

age 12+

Based on 5 parent reviews

age 15+

If you're looking for a good movie, this isn't it.

Its a pretty terrible movie that makes very little sense. It tries to be a coming of age type of movie but it fails. There are to many plots that don't make sense. It also makes it seem like having sex with someone is no big deal.

This title has:

Too much sex
age 11+

Great movie

I really liked this movie and I highly suggest you watch it. There really wasn’t anything you need to worry about when letting your 11+ kid watch this.

This title has:

Great messages

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (5):
Kids say (12):

Although frank discussion of sex and use of profanity make it iffy for anyone under the age of 14, the overall quality issue boils down to what kind of movie it wants to be. Does it want to be Sixteen Candles? (Molly Ringwald's presence suggests a tip of the hat to the 1984 film.) The filmmakers seem intent on wrestling with the way teens learn maturity and responsibility, but it all feels manufactured and clumsy. Kids just out of high school are plotting to lose virginity, trying to figure out romantic commitment, trying to be decent people who look out for others, trying to fathom their life's work. Those generalities are all worthy, but the particulars are underwhelming. Does Johnny want to use his dad's long board? Does Ash want to compromise his artistry to the demands of his record company? Does Penny want to make videos? These are dilemmas all of us should be so lucky to face. (Ash HAS a record company!) It feels as if the screenwriter is struggling to manufacture problems where few, if any, actually exist. SPF-18 also has a tone problem. Goldie Hawn's intelligent voice narrates an overlay of wisdom that doesn't exist in the interactions between characters. It's questionable that any narration is necessary.

Movie Details

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