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Our take
Two old friends attempt a long hike and spend much of it arguing, remembering and getting in over their heads. A Walk in the Woods is mild in its action, but the swearing and sex jokes are frequent. We would start at M.
Uplifting themes
Friendship, humility, and respect for nature emerge by the end. The story values finishing what you start The leads are flawed but loyal. Their honesty about fear can model vulnerability for teens
Story (may spoil tone)
After spending two decades in England, Bill Bryson returns to the U.S., where he decides the best way to connect with his homeland is to hike the Appalachian Trail with one of his oldest friends.
What we flagged
Details
Violence TV news mentions gruesome murders, and the hikers face bears and falls.…
TV news mentions gruesome murders, and the hikers face bears and falls. Most harm stays off screen or played for comedy
Language Characters say f-word constantly, along with s-word, b-word, and other…
Characters say f-word constantly, along with s-word, b-word, and other crude terms. Language is a major texture of the buddy banter
Sex / nudity The friends make blunt jokes about sex and women's bodies. In one car s…
The friends make blunt jokes about sex and women's bodies. In one car scene, a woman ducks below the seat and performs a sex act on the driver. The act is implied rather than shown in detail
Drugs / alcohol They talk about past drinking binges, hiding whiskey in packs, and orde…
They talk about past drinking binges, hiding whiskey in packs, and ordering cold beer. Alcohol fuels some reckless stories
Frightening Bear encounters and wilderness isolation spike tension for a few set pi…
Bear encounters and wilderness isolation spike tension for a few set pieces. Scares resolve quickly
Gore / death / weapons News dialogue mentions dismemberment in a murder case without showing i…
News dialogue mentions dismemberment in a murder case without showing it. A shotgun threat appears briefly
Eating disorders / body image One hiker mocks another's weight on the trail. The joke stings even tho…
One hiker mocks another's weight on the trail. The joke stings even though the film does not dwell on dieting
Mental health Funeral talk and fear of dying alone sit under the comedy. Aging and re…
Funeral talk and fear of dying alone sit under the comedy. Aging and regret come up often
Grief / bereavement A recent funeral motivates the hike, and friends mourn people they lost…
A recent funeral motivates the hike, and friends mourn people they lost years ago. Loss adds weight to the laughs
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
- Bill and Katz keep hiking even when exhausted. What keeps friendships going through hard trips?
- They joke about getting old and out of shape. How can families talk honestly about health without body shaming?
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A Walk in the Woods
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