Common Sense Media Review
By Jennifer Green
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Nudity, drinking, language in likable Norwegian drama.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 16+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
The Wrong Track
What's the Story?
Emilie (Ada Eide) is a young, divorced mom struggling to maintain a day job and feeling a little lost in life in THE WRONG TRACK. Her ex, Joachim (Christian Rubeck), takes every opportunity to criticize her, and he seems to be gunning for full custody of their daughter, Lilli (Saga Meisfjordskar). When yet another problem sends her running to big brother Gjermund (Trond Fausa) and his wife, Silje (Marie Blokhus), for support, he tells her he will help her only if she trains with him for an upcoming 54-kilometer ski race. Known as someone who never finishes what she starts, and tempted repeatedly to give up, will Emilie be able to commit?
Is It Any Good?
This surprisingly touching film from Norway gains steam the deeper it gets, authentically capturing some of the challenges of "adulting." The Wrong Track handles emotionally intense topics like infertility with sensitivity—for example, in a scene when a couple finally admits to their pregnant (and parenting) friends that their story about not wanting children is false (they actually can't conceive). The central character of 20-something Emilie could have collapsed into a jumble of bad stereotypes (early scenes threaten this, with flat comedy and an overly fast "training" for a serious athletic competition), but the writers keep her growing and evolving. Other complicated adult relationships are portrayed authentically too.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the ski challenge at Birken, a key part of the story in The Wrong Track. What surprised you about this race? Where can you find more information about it?
How does Emilie demonstrate perseverance? What about Silje and Gjermund? How does this character strength prove essential for all of them at their different stages of life?
What double meaning can you take away from the film's title in English, The Wrong Track? How does it relate to what the main characters are going through?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : February 27, 2025
- Cast : Ada Eide , Trond Fausa Aurvåg , Christian Rubeck
- Director : Hallvar Witzø
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Netflix
- Genre : Drama
- Topics : Family Stories ( Siblings ) , Friendship
- Character Strengths : Perseverance
- Run time : 95 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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