Parents' Guide to

Stella's Last Weekend

By Jeffrey Anderson, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 15+

Strong language in touching dramedy about family, dog.

Movie NR 2018 102 minutes
Stella's Last Weekend Poster Image

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

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What's the Story?

In STELLA'S LAST WEEKEND, Jack (Nat Wolff) comes home from college to attend a farewell party for his beloved dog, Stella, who's sick and scheduled to be euthanized. In the subway, Jack spots a girl, Violet (Paulina Singer), who he was in love with but who refused to return his calls. Later, Jack's younger brother, Oliver (Alex Wolff), introduces his new girlfriend ... Violet. A misunderstanding between Violet and Jack is cleared up, and she realizes that she's still attracted to him. Over the course of several days, as they try to spend time with their dog, tensions arise between the brothers, as well as between their loving but pushover mom, Sally (Polly Draper), and Sally's well-meaning but dopey boyfriend, Ron (Nick Sandow). Unfortunately, everything comes to a head at Stella's party. Can the brothers make everything right again?

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: Not yet rated
Kids say: Not yet rated

This effective indie dramedy unravels a bit in the end as it eagerly attempts to wrap up each and every one of its conflicts, but before then it's a rowdy, touching, keenly observed slice of life. Written and directed by Draper, who also plays mom Sally (and is the real-life mother to Nat and Alex Wolff), Stella's Last Weekend doesn't shy away from complicated parent-teen relationships -- or, in fact, relationships of many kinds.

Oliver stands out as a sometimes rude, sometimes funny extrovert who claims that he has his mom "working for me." He shakes things up with his completely uncensored comments while wearing his emotions on his sleeve (Alex Wolff was also quite powerful in Hereditary). The other characters are perfectly matched to him; Sally laughs at his comments and gives in to his demands, while Ron can only be exasperated and ineffective. Jack, the quietest character, is the movie's entry point. Violet can seem a little flighty, a little fickle. Draper's visualization is assured and unflashy, with subtle moments like characters gazing at each other through the windows of an arcade claw machine. Many scenes, especially those involving the aging, motherly love bug Stella, will make viewers reach for the tissues. It's too bad it ends like a series of check boxes, but Stella's Last Weekend is still well worth seeing.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about how Stella's Last Weekend depicts sex. How does Oliver view sex? Is it something to be accomplished, to brag about? Or is it about connecting?

  • What is the relationship between the brothers like? Do they talk honestly with each other? Do they like each other? How is their relationship similar to or different from yours with your siblings?

  • Is the characters' drug use glamorized in any way? Are there realistic consequences? Why does that matter?

  • How did you feel about the movie showing the dog's death? Was it done respectfully? Have you ever had a beloved pet die? What was the experience like?

Movie Details

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