Common Sense Media Review
By Monique Jones
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Charming drama promotes compassion; language, drinking.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry
What's the Story?
THE STORIED LIFE OF A.J. FIKRY is a quiet melodrama about A.J. Fikry (Kunal Nayyar), a small-town bookstore owner who has recently lost his wife. After a child is left in his store by her mother, Fikry's life changes in the best of ways as he becomes a father, finds love, and enjoys a life well-lived. The movie is based on the novel by Gabrielle Zevin.
Is It Any Good?
This cozy drama is just right if you want to watch a movie about romance and life lessons while snuggled under a blanket on your couch, ideally with a cup of hot cocoa or tea.
Some viewers might find The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry a bit too saccharine or melodramatic in the way that characters meet tragic ends. There are plot points that end without proper resolution, and the film does have a tendency to feel as if it's droning on. But overall, The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry is a sweet, charming film that showcases Nayyar's ability to play a sentimental, quietly intense leading man. If there's one lesson Hollywood can take from this film, it's to put Nayyar, best known for The Big Bang Theory, in more romantic leading roles, especially ones that don't involve him playing a stereotypical nerd.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about compassion. How does A.J. Fikry demonstrate compassion to Maya and others around him?
How did A.J. demonstrate empathy toward Maya? Why is that an important character strength?
How does parental love change Fikry? What about romantic love?
Movie Details
- In theaters : October 7, 2022
- On DVD or streaming : October 28, 2022
- Cast : Kunal Nayyar , Lucy Hale , Christina Hendricks , David Arquette , Scott Foley
- Director : Hans Canosa
- Inclusion Information : Indian/South Asian Movie Actor(s) , Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Vertical Entertainment
- Genre : Drama
- Topics : Book Characters
- Character Strengths : Compassion , Empathy
- Run time : 105 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : brief strong language, some suggestive material and thematic elements
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
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