What we flagged
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Our take
Auden spends a summer trying the experiences she missed while she was busy being responsible. Along for the Ride is a gentle teen romance with kissing, a few sexual jokes and some family sadness. Teen drinking and smoking appear at parties. We would watch from 13.
Uplifting themes
Encourages trying new things, making friends, and talking about hard feelings. Grief and divorce are handled with patience and a gentle touch Auden is thoughtful and grows more open, and Eli is kind though guarded. The adults are a mixed bunch, and the leads learn to be honest with each other A gentle look at the pressure of leaving home for university and finding your own way, with a little beach-town local colour
Story (may spoil tone)
The summer before college, Auden meets the mysterious Eli, a fellow insomniac. While the seaside town of Colby sleeps, the two embark on nightly quests to help Auden experience the fun, carefree teen life she never knew she wanted.
Details
Language The s-word comes up two or three times, and one f-word slips out in a q…
The s-word comes up two or three times, and one f-word slips out in a quoted line. Hell and damn are also heard, but swearing is occasional across the film
Sex / nudity Teens kiss and flirt, and there are a few sexual jokes, including a son…
Teens kiss and flirt, and there are a few sexual jokes, including a song lyric about being fully naked. Beach scenes show shirtless boys and girls in swimsuits, but nothing explicit
Drugs / alcohol Teens drink at beach parties, and a few characters smoke cigarettes. It…
Teens drink at beach parties, and a few characters smoke cigarettes. It is shown as normal teenage socialising, with little fallout for most of them
Dangerous behaviour Teens sneak out at night, wander the town after dark, and try bold stun…
Teens sneak out at night, wander the town after dark, and try bold stunts for fun. It is mostly harmless, though the risks are brushed off, and younger viewers may copy the late-night roaming
Mental health Insomnia, loneliness, and lingering sadness from a family loss weigh on…
Insomnia, loneliness, and lingering sadness from a family loss weigh on the leads, and one character feels overlooked and depressed. The film treats these feelings gently
Grief / bereavement A boy still carries the loss of a close friend killed by a drunk driver…
A boy still carries the loss of a close friend killed by a drunk driver, and has pulled away from people since. The sadness is part of how the two leads connect
Flashing lights We have not confirmed whether this version contains flashing lights.
We have not confirmed whether this version contains flashing lights.
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Talk after watching
- Auden and Eli both feel stuck in different ways. What helped each of them move forward?
- The leads spend whole nights exploring the town. If you had one free summer night, what would you want to try?
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Along for the Ride
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