Common Sense Media Review
By S. Jhoanna Robledo
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Devastating, moving dramedy about death and forgiveness.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 16+?
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Where to Watch
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The Descendants
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 9 parent reviews
Based on 19 kid reviews
Kids say this film is a deeply emotional yet mature exploration of family and personal struggles, which combines drama and humor effectively. While many enjoyed the storytelling and performances, they noted that heavy language and adult themes make it more suitable for viewers aged 13 and up.
- emotional depth
- mature themes
- strong performances
- unsuitable for young
- heavy language
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
Real estate attorney Matt King (George Clooney) knows that he's never been the go-to parent for his two daughters, 10-year-old Scotty (Amara Miller), who's testing her boundaries with swearing and "mean girling," and 17-year-old Alexandra (Shailene Woodley), sent to boarding school after a bout with drugs and alcohol. Matt's wife, Elizabeth (Patricia Hastie), has been there for the girls, but now she's lying in a coma after a motorboat accident. Matt and Elizabeth's marriage had been floundering, eroded by too much work and not enough togetherness; still, he loves her. So when Alexandra tells him that Elizabeth had been cheating, it all starts to feel like a pile-on. What now? Meanwhile, Matt's cousins eagerly await his decision on another matter: Will he agree to sell the family's land holdings -- inheritance from their Hawaiian royal ancestors -- to a developer?
Is It Any Good?
THE DESCENDANTS, based on the novel by Kaui Hart Hemmings, unspools as if on island time, strolling barefoot on the beach with little regard to the clock. The voiceover is superfluous, and the tragic moments are rescued from the brink by humor that's sometimes too on the nose. It might be annoying, were it not for the fact that the film is also a transcendent, emotional powerhouse.
Lay the plots out on paper, and it's unbelievable how director Alexander Payne manages to cram them all in while ensuring that the movie's important moments remain authentic. Bravo! He doesn't hurry the layers as they pile on; he simply allows them to do as they will until the sum total suddenly, completely stuns. The biggest kudos belongs to the cast, who all seem to have simply decided to give themselves over to the characters. Even Clooney does away with his typical sophisticated swagger, clopping along on too-noisy flip-flops, wearing defiantly hokey Hawaiian shirts, and letting the gray settle in. It may be his most vulnerable role yet.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about The Descendants' messages. What is it saying about family? About the role of fathers? Are the characters intended to be role models?
How does the movie portray underage drinking? Are the consequences realistic?
Movie Details
- In theaters : November 16, 2011
- On DVD or streaming : March 13, 2012
- Cast : Beau Bridges , George Clooney , Shailene Woodley
- Director : Alexander Payne
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Fox Searchlight
- Genre : Drama
- Run time : 115 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : language, including some sexual references
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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