Our take
She Rides Shotgun is an R-rated thriller about a newly released convict protecting his 11-year-old daughter from vengeful criminals. Expect gunfights, stabbings, a child held at gunpoint, meth and heroin talk, and frequent f-word dialogue. The father-daughter bond is heartfelt, but bloodshed and sustained child peril dominate. Strictly for mature older teens and adults, not kids near Polly's age
Uplifting themes
Unconditional love and loyalty anchor the crime story Nate tries to shield Polly despite his criminal past
Story (may spoil tone)
Newly released from prison and marked for death by unrelenting enemies, Nate must now protect his estranged 11-year-old daughter, Polly, at all costs. With scant resources and no one to trust, Nate and Polly forge a bond under fire as he shows her how to fight and survive—and she teaches him the true meaning of unconditional love.
What we flagged
Scores are 0–5: 0 means none; 5 means the strongest we flagged in that category.
Details
Violence Shootouts, stabbings, beatings, and a child targeted with gunfire
Shootouts, stabbings, beatings, and a child targeted with gunfire
Language Heavy f-word and harsh profanity throughout the road-trip thriller
Heavy f-word and harsh profanity throughout the road-trip thriller
Sex / nudity No sex found in this title
No sex found in this title
Drugs / alcohol Meth labs, heroin balloons, and addict slang fuel the criminal plot
Meth labs, heroin balloons, and addict slang fuel the criminal plot
Frightening Kidnapping, homicide, and a child hunted create sustained dread
Kidnapping, homicide, and a child hunted create sustained dread
Self-harm / suicide No self-harm found in this title
No self-harm found in this title
Child peril / abuse An 11-year-old girl is shot at, kidnapped, and taught to fight for surv…
An 11-year-old girl is shot at, kidnapped, and taught to fight for survival
Bullying / discrimination No bullying found in this title
No bullying found in this title
Gore / death / weapons Gunshot wounds, a belly wound, and burned-face violence appear on screen
Gunshot wounds, a belly wound, and burned-face violence appear on screen
Dangerous behaviour Nate teaches Polly combat moves and risky evasion tactics
Nate teaches Polly combat moves and risky evasion tactics
Eating disorders / body image No eating found in this title
No eating found in this title
Mental health Polly processes trauma and fear after life-threatening events
Polly processes trauma and fear after life-threatening events
Gambling No gambling found in this title
No gambling found in this title
Grief / bereavement Loss and separation weigh on the father-daughter journey
Loss and separation weigh on the father-daughter journey
Talk after watching
- Nate teaches Polly survival skills on the run. When does protection cross into putting a child in harm's way?
- The story pairs tenderness with crime-world brutality. How does the film balance love and violence?