Father and child sit together smiling while looking at a smart phone.

Want more recommendations for your family?

Sign up for our weekly newsletter for entertainment inspiration

Parents' Guide to

We Met in Virtual Reality

By Stefan Pape, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 13+

Celebratory VR docu promotes inclusivity and communication.

Movie NR 2022 91 minutes
We Met in Virtual Reality Poster

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Community Reviews

See all
age 15+

Based on 1 parent review

Kitsmom
Kitsmom Parent of 16 and 18+-year-old
July 31, 2022
age 15+

A chance to discuss virtual reality, acceptance and mental health with our teens

This is an off-beat, big hearted documentary which was created inside virtual reality and was featured at Sundance. It touches on acceptance, mental health and the potential to evolve complex relationships and to learn new things in VR. Be advised that some of the avatars wear costumes which could be considered risqué. Some participants have developed romantic relationships. There is no sex, but maybe some implied drinking. I feel like Virtual Reality is something most of us are not fully aware of or comfortable with yet, but it is coming- think cell phones. (VR is that thing where you put on those goggles and see all around you in 3D and you can be transported to… like anywhere! There are even accessories like gloves and footwear that allow your body to be sensed and then viewed within VR as you “walk” along and “pick things up” etc) Virtual reality is like, well, real life, in that each of us will attract and discover that which we seek. There are many people who are suspicious of the content, similar to some sketchiness on the Internet which has worried parents for years. I believe it’s true that some current users of VR are there because it gives them the opportunity to behave in ways that are not socially acceptable. However, many others are just curious, forward thinkers using this platform for, well, your imagination is the only limit to what can happen in VR. One of the main characters of this film found her niche in VR as a sign language instructor. She is lovely. She made a friend in VR who is deaf and who lost his brother during COVID- to suicide. She would never have met this friend if not for VR (think the title of the movie). The scene where together they grieve using ASL (American Sign Language) is one of the most beautiful, authentic and moving pieces of film that I have ever seen. There was not a single dry eye in the group of parents who watched with me. As parents, I think it’s worthwhile to become familiar with VR so that we are aware of this world which our children will eventually visit one way or another. There are so many VR formats. I just saw an ad for a platform to enable dynamic work presentations in VR. I noticed kids can play Roblox in VR now. I feel certain that schools will utilize VR for more engaging educational experiences in the near future. This film is an opportunity for parents to pop out of our comfort zone and get a small exposure to a whole new universe which will surround our kids (and us! Can you imagine the opportunities for senior citizens?) in the coming decades. HBO follows trends and they snapped this movie up. VR is coming and it may be epic… Here is an opportunity to explore VR together with our teens and open all sorts of new, innovative discussions about what may become possible.

This title has:

Educational value
Great messages
Great role models
See all 1 parent review

What's the Story?

WE MET IN A VIRTUAL REALITY is a documentary that takes place in the world of VR. Filmmaker Joe Hunting spends time with the users from this online community, capturing the remarkable sense of intimacy and inclusivity within, discovering a utopia for those who just want to find a place where they feel they can belong. In some cases, it even leads to romance in the real world.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: (1 ):
Kids say: Not yet rated

This uncynical look at the world of VR and the communities that sit within it, will have a lasting effect on its audience. Profound and moving, We Met in a Virtual Reality has such an affection for the community it seeks to explore, presenting a very positive portrayal of VR. This does beg the question, is there a darker side to this world that the film is neglecting? Perhaps so, but maybe that's for another movie, for another time. This is a progressive and very pertinent feature that feels like it very much has a place in a modern society, and can encourage those who feel lost, that there is somewhere for them they can belong.

Director and writer Hunting has presented a debut that proposes an exciting future, capturing the humanity in a place where, on the surface, everything is quite literally out of this world. Given the entire film is set within the VR world -- there's not a single real person shown -- you do have to get your head around the visual experience, which looks clunky, abstract, and jittery, especially for those new to the VR experience. But those gripes aside, this is a refreshing and optimistic look at a world that often just generates negative headlines.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the world of VR as depicted in We Met in a Virtual Reality. Have you ever experienced VR? If so, how did it compare to the depictions in the film? What are some of the potential dangers of online connectivity? What parents need to know about virtual reality.

  • The users featured in this documentary confide in each other and find comfort in that. Why is it good to talk, especially about things that might be upsetting you? How can VR help with communication?

  • What makes a good documentary? Did this film achieve that? Why, or why not?

Movie Details

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

See all recommended movie lists

Related Topics

Want suggestions based on your streaming services? Get personalized recommendations

Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.

See how we rate