Common Sense Media Review
By Jennifer Green
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Language, drinking, drugs in far-fetched holiday romance.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Tyler Perry's Finding Joy
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
Joy (Shannon Thornton) is a frustrated fashion designer unlucky in love in TYLER PERRY'S RETURN TO JOY. She thinks she's found her man in Colton (Aaron O'Connell), but her best friends Ashley (Brittany S. Hall) and Littia (Inayah) have their doubts. When Colton asks her to come home with him to Colorado at Christmas to meet his family, she jumps at the opportunity, only to find out upon arrival that things aren't what she expected. Events unfold, and Joy finds herself unexpectedly alone in an isolated location with Ridge (Tosin Morohunfola) as they wait out a snowstorm. Will she find love after all?
Is It Any Good?
Predictable and far-fetched on most levels, this romance is also just appealing enough to keep you interested. Chalk that up to the cast of Tyler Perry's Return to Joy. There's an innocence to their performances, even as they work within some obvious clichés, typical of Perry scripts—the weed-smoking besties, the snooty male fashion diva, the strong but wounded hermit, the fragile but talented woman. No, you don't believe what you're watching on screen, but Joy and Ridge make it a pleasant enough fantasy.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the idea of spending time in a cabin with no connection to the outside world. Does that appeal to you? What does Joy discover in the experience?
Why does Joy let Pat-Treek get away with copying her designs?
In what ways do the characters fulfill stereotypes? In what ways do you find them unique?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : November 5, 2025
- Cast : Shannon Thornton , Tosin Morohunfola , Brittany S. Hall
- Director : Tyler Perry
- Inclusion Information : Black Movie Director(s) , Female Movie Actor(s) , Black Movie Actor(s) , African American Movie Actor(s) , Black Movie Writer(s)
- Studio : Prime Video
- Genre : Romance
- Topics : Friendship , Holidays
- Run time : 106 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : November 8, 2025
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