Common Sense Media Review
By Monique Jones
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Sensitive friendship drama mixes joy, serious themes.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 10+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
We Grown Now
What's the Story?
WE GROWN NOW follows Malik (Blake Cameron James) and Eric (Gian Knight Ramirez), two friends growing up in Chicago's Cabrini-Green high-rise housing projects in 1992. Their lives take a turn when another boy around their age is tragically shot and killed. The incident helps reveal the differences in each boy's emotional state: While Malik still talks in terms of hope, an afterlife, and imagining brighter scenarios for the future, Eric is much more realistic—or, at worst, cynical—about the chances of a happier future.
Is It Any Good?
This sensitive drama puts humanity at the center of its story about Black life. Refreshingly, We Grown Now shows that no matter what income bracket or station in life a Black family might be in, there's always hope, joy, friendship, and imagination to consider for quality, nuanced stories. And both James and Ramirez are incredible, impressively pulling off the tough job of bringing Malik and Eric to life. They do that and then some, portraying their characters' emotional intelligence as they grapple with everything life throws at them.
The film also does a great job of showing life through the boys' eyes: how there can still be magic, even in a place as theoretically devoid of magic as Cabrini-Green. A Black boy's point of view is largely undiscovered territory in Hollywood, but We Grown Now offers a strong argument for why we should see more of it, especially when police brutality against Black people—especially Black males—is still a hot-button issue. Perhaps some ground can be gained if more films like We Grown Now counter the stereotypical way that Black men and boys are portrayed in the media. It depicts them as emotionally complex human beings, just like anyone else. That's a point that really shouldn't have to be made, but We Grown Now makes it while putting those who view Black males with suspicion or other negative perspectives to shame.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the way friendship is portrayed in We Grown Now. How does Malik and Eric's friendship develop? What connects them?
How does Eric's mindset differ from Malik's? How are they similar?
What commentary is the film making about social pressures faced by Black Americans, especially poor Black Americans? How does the film portray Black childhood?
Movie Details
- In theaters : April 19, 2024
- On DVD or streaming : June 18, 2024
- Cast : Blake Cameron James , Jurnee Smollett , Gian Knight Ramirez , S. Epatha Merkerson , Lil Rel Howery
- Director : Minhal Baig
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Director(s) , Indian/South Asian Movie Director(s) , Female Movie Actor(s) , Black Movie Actor(s) , Female Movie Writer(s) , Indian/South Asian Movie Writer(s)
- Studio : Participant Media
- Genre : Drama
- Topics : Friendship
- Character Strengths : Compassion , Empathy
- Run time : 93 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : thematic material and language
- Awards : Common Sense Selection , NAACP Image Award - NAACP Image Award Nominee
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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