Common Sense Media Review
By S. Jhoanna Robledo
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Moving doc about troubled teens has powerful themes.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
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Where to Watch
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The Bad Kids
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
THE BAD KIDS aren't really "bad" at all -- they're just trying to get through school, even though the deck is stacked heavily against them. Abuse survivors, teen parents, kids with drug-addicted parents (or no parents): These are the students at Black Rock High School, situated on the edge of Southern California's Mojave Desert. The documentary focuses on a handful of these teens as they try to graduate, with various degrees of success, while also showing their real-life struggles and very difficult life circumstances.
Is It Any Good?
The area surrounding the Mojave Desert is a starkly beautiful region but also tough and unforgiving; so is this deeply moving documentary. The material is compelling: A principal and her staff attempt to reach -- and teach -- teens whom some have deemed unteachable so they can find their place in the world with confidence and worth. And the way this story is told, with deep compassion, and the kids it follows, will break your heart and stick with you long after the credits roll.
The filmmakers refrain from pushing emotional buttons unnecessarily; they let the sad, brutal stories each student calls his or her daily existence do the work for you. And they back it all with memorable cinematography of a place that's both forlorn and unforgettable. The only thing missing from The Bad Kids, perhaps, is a follow-up right before the ending that closes the loop on each subject's arc. But perhaps that's the way it is in real life: There are very few easy, or happy, endings.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the teens at the center of The Bad Kids. What do you think about their situation? Are they the result of bad luck, poor choices, or both? What do you think you'd do in their place?
How does the movie promote themes of compassion and perseverance? Why are those important character strengths?
What is "tough love"? What are the pros and cons of that type of approach? How does this film illustrate it?
How do the real teens in this documentary compare to troubled teens in fictional movies? Which are more relatable to you? Why do you think that is?
Movie Details
- In theaters : December 16, 2016
- On DVD or streaming : April 3, 2017
- Directors : Keith Fulton , Lou Pepe
- Studio : Low Key Pictures
- Genre : Documentary
- Topics : School ( High School )
- Character Strengths : Compassion , Perseverance
- Run time : 100 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
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