Parents' Guide to The Pass

Movie NR 2018 88 minutes
The Pass movie poster: A shirtless Russell Tovey looks to kiss Arinze Kene, who has his back to the camera.

Common Sense Media Review

Alistair Lawrence By Alistair Lawrence , based on child development research. How do we rate?

age 15+

British LGBTQ+ sports drama has language, sex, drinking.

Parents Need to Know

Why Age 15+?

Any Positive Content?

  • The Pass Trailer
  • The Pass: Arinze Kene and Russell Tovey stand in a hotel room shirtless.
  • The Pass: Lisa Mcgrillis in a hotel room holding a phone looking upset.
  • The Pass: Nico Mirallegro drinks from bottle in a hotel room.

Parent and Kid Reviews

See all

What's the Story?

THE PASS follows star soccer player Jason (Russell Tovey) as he struggles to confront his sexuality.

Is It Any Good?

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

Adapted from a stage play of the same name, this British drama follows three tragic and bittersweet nights over a decade in the life of professional soccer star Jason, in three different hotel rooms. Reprising his original role from the stage version of The Pass, Tovey is superb as the hyperactive and needy lead, whose ego and insecurities are his undoing. While it's impossible not to sympathize with the homophobia that makes Jason view many people with suspicion and attempt to control them, writer John Donnelly does an excellent job of making him as selfish and manipulative as he is funny and affectionate. There's also some subtle commentary about how sports stars are both made by the media and exploited by the press. Jason is smart enough to understand this, but still can't find a way to live his proverbial "best life." The real tragedy is that perhaps Jason's story is more common than we might expect, but the people who suffer as he does are hidden in plain sight.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the relationship at the center of The Pass. How were Jason and Ade's private lives impacted by the fact they were professional athletes? Why do you think that was?

  • Discuss the language used in the movie. Did it seem necessary, or excessive? What did it contribute to the movie?

  • How did the movie portray sex and relationships? Was it affectionate? Respectful? Parents, talk to your teens about your own values regarding sex and relationships.

  • Talk about the LGBTQ+ representation in the movie. Did it feel realistic? Why is that important? Why does representation matter in kids' media?

  • How did various things in Jason's life push him toward drink and drugs? What other coping mechanisms could he have turned too?

Movie Details

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by

The Pass movie poster: A shirtless Russell Tovey looks to kiss Arinze Kene, who has his back to the camera.

What to Watch Next

See all

Movies with LGBTQ+ Characters

See all

Growing Up Queer: Thoughtful Movies and TV Shows About LGBTQ+ Youth

See all recommended movie lists

Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.

See how we rate