What we flagged
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Our take
What They Had follows a family after a mother with dementia wanders into a blizzard. Arguments about her care bring frequent strong swearing, and the guide flags risks to vulnerable women. The film's weight comes from illness and family strain rather than action. We put it at around 15 and up, with a parent nearby if dementia or elder care is personal.
Uplifting themes
Love and duty show up in small choices, like staying when it is hard. Forgiveness gets a nod by the end. The road is mostly arguing first Dad cares fiercely even when wrong. Daughter Bridget tries to help while running from her past. Nobody is polished; all feel human Opens talk about dementia, wandering, and care homes in real life. Useful for families facing similar choices
Story (may spoil tone)
A woman must fly back to her hometown when her Alzheimer's-stricken mother wanders into a blizzard. The return home forces her to confront her past.
Details
Violence Sibling fights get loud and physical at times, but no graphic beatings.…
Sibling fights get loud and physical at times, but no graphic beatings. A nurse warns that confused women who wander can be assaulted. That stat is talk, not a scene of attack
Language F-word, s-word, a-word, and dickheads fly when Chicago siblings stress…
F-word, s-word, a-word, and dickheads fly when Chicago siblings stress out. Dad swears at his age too. Language matches a family meltdown, not action-movie nonstop
Sex / nudity A wry line about romance between parents is about marriage, not a sex s…
A wry line about romance between parents is about marriage, not a sex scene. No nudity or hookups stood out. Adult relationships stay in the background
Drugs / alcohol Smoking returns after years, and Christmas drinking gets blamed for Mom…
Smoking returns after years, and Christmas drinking gets blamed for Mom wandering. Bars and social drinks appear. The film links alcohol to danger, not cool partying
Bullying / discrimination Siblings call each other bullies during power-of-attorney fights. It is…
Siblings call each other bullies during power-of-attorney fights. It is family cruelty, not school harassment. Still stings if teens recognize the pattern
Mental health Alzheimer's confusion, fear, and caregiver burnout are the whole story.…
Alzheimer's confusion, fear, and caregiver burnout are the whole story. Mom forgets faces; Dad clings to home. The movie stays in the messy middle, not a neat cure
Grief / bereavement They mourn the mother they still have while losing her piece by piece.…
They mourn the mother they still have while losing her piece by piece. Snow and hospitals raise stakes without a death on screen. Heavy for anyone who has watched a parent fade
Flashing lights We have not confirmed whether this version contains flashing lights.
We have not confirmed whether this version contains flashing lights.
Family watch notes
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Talk after watching
- Each sibling sees Mom's care differently. How do families share hard decisions?
- The film shows memory loss up close. What feels accurate, and what is Hollywood?
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What They Had
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