Common Sense Media Review
By Danny Brogan
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Environmental disaster drama has threat, nudity, language.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
The End We Start From
What's the Story?
THE END WE START FROM finds the United Kingdom hit by relentless rainfall causing mass flooding and civil unrest. Forced to abandon her London home, a mother (Jodie Comer) must fight for her survival and that of her newborn baby.
Is It Any Good?
On paper this British environmental disaster movie is bleak. Indeed The End We Start From began life as a novel, by Megan Hunter, in which an unnamed mother and her newborn baby faces catastrophic flooding and a population that are becoming increasingly desperate for food and shelter. Yet in among this unforgiving environment is a story of hope, perseverance, and courage embodied by the incredible Comer, who was so brilliant in TV's Killing Eve. Comer, who is the lead character and is in every scene, is fast becoming one of the U.K.'s most accomplished and reliable actors. In a role that could easily have fallen foul to overacting, Comer plays it pitch perfect. Credit too to director Mahalia Belo and screenwriter Alice Birch who have created a fully-rounded female character who shows glimpses of vulnerability but won't let anything get in the way of protecting her newborn baby. Subtle touches such as where Comer's character is struggling to breastfeed, brings a realism to a film that scarily could become that much more real should concerns about climate change not be addressed.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about what character strengths were shown in The End We Start From. How did Mother show perseverance, courage, and teamwork? Would you describe her as a good role model? What makes a positive role model?
Much of the threat of the film is caused or comes about as a result of severe flooding. How concerned are you about the future when it comes to climate change? What can you do to make a positive change?
Discuss the strong language used in the movie. What did it contribute to the movie? Is a certain kind of language expected in a movie like this?
How did the film portray sex and nudity? Was it affectionate and respectful? Was it tastefully handled? Parents, talk to your teens about your own values regarding sex and relationships.
Movie Details
- In theaters : December 8, 2023
- On DVD or streaming : February 6, 2024
- Cast : Jodie Comer , Katherine Waterston , Benedict Cumberbatch
- Director : Mahalia Belo
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Director(s) , Female Movie Actor(s) , Female Movie Writer(s)
- Studios : UTA Independent Film Group , Republic Pictures
- Genre : Drama
- Topics : Book Characters , STEM
- Character Strengths : Courage , Perseverance , Teamwork
- Run time : 102 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : language, some sexual content and nudity
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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