The Weekend Away
Kids say
Based on 2 reviews
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The Weekend Away
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this movie.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that The Weekend Away is a suspenseful mystery based on the book by Sarah Alderson about a woman whose friend is murdered while they're on vacation in Croatia. The victim's corpse is shown floating in water and on a gurney in the morgue. There's other violence, including chases, fights, some blood, past assault charges, and at least one other death. The disappearance happens after a night of heavy drinking, where it's discovered two men have drugged women's drinks even though they were paid to have sex with the women. A woman is said to have ingested cocaine. People are seen apparently having sex in a hot tub, and there are opened condom wrappers nearby. There's also discussion of people's sex lives, affairs, one-night stands, and cheating. Language includes "bitch," "a--hole," "hell," "crap," "bullocks," "slut," "idiot," and "God."
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What's the Story?
Beth (Leighton Meester) travels to a coastal town in Croatia to spend THE WEEKEND AWAY with her best friend from university, Kate (Christina Wolfe). Beth has a baby at home and a loveless marriage with husband Rob (Luke Norris). Kate wants to show her a good time, and she's also reeling from a bad break-up. The two go out for a night on the town and when Beth wakes up, Kate is missing. Sensing something bad has happened, she enlists the help of a kind taxi driver (Ziad Bakri) to search for clues. When local police officers Paviz (Amar Bukvic) and Kovak (Iva Mihalic) get involved, everyone seems to become a suspect.
Is It Any Good?
This mystery, which feels plucked out of Amanda Knox-style headlines, stays interesting thanks to solid acting, a gorgeous setting, and some unexpected plot twists. Sporting little make-up and a gracious attitude light years away from her Gossip Girl persona, Meester's Beth is a plausibly confused victim in The Weekend Away. She's matched by the excellent Syrian actor Bakri. You can't help but root for the two of them to get together, and the fact (spoiler alert) that they don't share an on-screen kiss, but rather a text provides the clue they may have a future together, feels like a questionable choice. The film manages to craft some solid suspense and keeps you glued with a quick pace and some unexpected characters in a truly alluring location.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about whether the story of The Weekend Away seems like it could happen in real life. Why or why not?
The film was shot mostly in Split, Croatia. What did you know previously about this location? Where could you go for more information?
How did Beth demonstrate courage? Were there times where she put herself unnecessarily in harm's way?
What did you think of the behavior of the police?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming: March 3, 2022
- Cast: Leighton Meester, Christina Wolfe, Ziad Bakri
- Director: Kim Farrant
- Studio: Netflix
- Genre: Thriller
- Topics: Book Characters, Friendship, Holidays
- Run time: 91 minutes
- MPAA rating: NR
- Last updated: March 3, 2022
Our Editors Recommend
-
Beckett
Suspenseful Greece-set thriller; violent action, language.
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Amanda Knox
Docu on sensationalized murder trial has graphic depictions.
-
Gone Girl
Violent, layered adaptation is dark but thrilling.
For kids who love mysteries and suspense
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