UFO

Movie review by Barbara Shulgasser-Parker, Common Sense Media
UFO Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 13+

Young romance and motorcycle racing; language, violence.

NR 2022 109 minutes
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Kids say

age 16+

Based on 1 review

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  • UFO Movie: Scene 1
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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 despite its misleading title, UFO is a Romeo and Juliet romance set against the backdrop of Turkish motorcycle racing. Language includes "f--k," "s--t," "ass," and "bastard." Motorcycles crash, and drug dealers are beaten up. Adults steal, trash-talk, deal drugs, and drink alcohol. Two young people kiss. A failing garage owner tries to make money on the side by hosting cockfights, which aren't shown. In Turkish with English subtitles.

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What's the Story?

In UFO, Deniz (Ipek Filiz Yazici) is taking her university qualification exams. Her wealthy parents expect her to pass, go to school, and become an engineer. She's already distracted by her parents' antagonistic marriage and her father's controlling and dismissive nature, so she's leaning toward rebellion when Ese (Mert Ramazan Demir), a cute motorcycle racer just returned from a stint in the army, comes into her life. Their spark turns to something more, and soon she's watching him race dangerously through city streets and tunnels. The garage owner is staying afloat by hosting cockfights, and some employees are picking up extra cash dealing drugs. Rival racing gangs get into fights, showing off a testosterone-fueled culture of boasts and petty combat. Ese disapproves. He sweetly pursues Deniz until she falls for him and tries to help him stay out of trouble.

Is It Any Good?

UFO is a strictly by-the-book story of young romance. The lovers, coping with the girl's biased family, become closer at least in part due to the disapproval. She's the girl who notices the special lower-class boy, while Ese embodies in every expectable way the decent guy suffering from torn loyalty, partly to the family that rescued him when he was a toddling street orphan, and now to the classy girl who sees the best in him. Humming in the background are partying and rap fests, featuring uninspiring lyrics including, "If you forget me, one day a black train will be my hope in my hopeless times."

The script and direction don't do much to involve us in these lives, so their exploits and outcomes don't feel urgent or absorbing. Note that if every single reference to UFOs were removed, nothing important would be subtracted from this story.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about why wealthy parents want to keep their daughter away from a poor motorcycle racer. How does this movie look at economic class differences?

  • Deniz is disappointed in Ese for stealing. Why do you think she changes her mind about him?

  • How does this movie depict testosterone-fueled violence and rivalries? Do you think the portrayal of boisterous and sometimes violent men is accurate? Why, or why not?

Movie Details

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