Common Sense Media Review
By Jennifer Green
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Health and sex talk, language in riveting, eye-opening docu.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
The Plastic Detox
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
In the 1990s, epidemiologist Shanna Swan and others began studying how the chemicals in plastics found in food packaging, the environment, and everyday household items were impacting human health, as THE PLASTIC DETOX details. Some 30 years later, we know more, yet little action has been taken to reduce the prevalence of these damaging chemicals. It might be up to individuals to change their own environments, we learn, as Swan pairs up with six couples experiencing unexplained infertility to try to reduce plastics in their lives and improve their health outcomes. Her experiment is complemented in the documentary by other experts, including the founder of the Green Chemistry discipline, fashion designers making nontoxic textiles, grassroots organizers protesting big industry in their communities, and more.
Is It Any Good?
Informative, humanizing, and at moments downright scary, this eye-opening documentary is sure to make waves. Interviewees in The Plastic Detox ask how it's possible that industrial companies have been allowed to make such prevalent products without knowing or addressing the potential and proven harms. Viewers will want to know the same after this wake-up call, which explores the correlations between plastic chemical exposure and a huge range of illnesses, defects, and health problems. The film could inspire individual and societal action. Make this film required viewing—and then run out and buy your bamboo toothbrush.
What makes it so impactful is the combination of science, through engaging animated explainers and expert interviews, with human stories, including six couples experiencing unexplainable fertility issues and a majority-Black community in Louisiana that stands up to big industry. A barrage of proof is supplied to show that the chemicals in plastic are everywhere and have detrimental health effects on humans and the environment, while a lack of regulation at the government level has left us (and our planet) vulnerable. You'd be forgiven for not expecting a happy ending, but the documentary surprises there as well.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about what they learned about microplastics and the harm chemicals found in plastics can do to humans and the environment in The Plastic Detox. Where can you go for more information?
Did this documentary motivate you to change your own use of plastics? How?
How do the participants in the documentary, including the couples and the doctors and researchers, demonstrate perseverance? Why was it brave of the couples to share their personal stories?
Have you heard of Green Chemistry? How would you describe the field? Why is it important?
In what ways does the documentary humanize scientists? Can you think of a couple of examples?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : March 16, 2026
- Cast : Shanna Swan , Eric Isaac , Julie Isaac
- Directors : Josh Murphy , Louie Psihoyos
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s) , Latino Movie Actor(s) , South American Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Netflix
- Genre : Documentary
- Topics : Activism ( Civic engagement ) , Family Stories ( Dads , Moms ) , Friendship , STEM ( Science )
- Character Strengths : Perseverance
- Run time : 92 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Award : Common Sense Selection
- Last updated : April 2, 2026
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