Suncoast Movie Review | Safe for Kids?

Is Suncoast safe for kids? Is Suncoast OK for kids? Read the Suncoast Movie Review | Safe for Kids?, an honest parents guide and mom review of the all-new Searchlight Pictures drama film Suncoast 2024, starring Laura Linney, Woody Harrelson, and Nico Parker. No spoilers! #SuncoastFilm May contain commissioned links.

Suncoast Movie Review | Safe for Kids? Parents Guide

Life, death, family, and connection. Searchlight Pictures sure knows how to go for the jugular.

In an emotional director debut for Laura Chinn, this writer is putting her life on display in a semi-autobiographical retelling of her life. And with big actor names on board this vulnerably exposed project, I admit that the cast combo intrigue is what pulled me in.

In this Suncoast Movie Review | Safe for Kids?, I’m breaking down the visuals, the story, a full R age rating explanation for violence, adult themes and language, and what kids’ age recommendation is suggested to watch in this new 2024 Suncoast parents guide to the new Sundance and Hulu original film from Searchlight Pictures. A no-spoiler parent review of Suncoast 2024, does the Nico Parker, Laura Linney and Woody Harrelson trio shine in this semi-autobiography movie?

The Visuals

Visually, Suncoast isn’t anything to write home about. Set in Clearwater, Florida I do see hints of the Florida lifestyle that I grew up with – which is comforting. But don’t expect great displays or panoramic backdrops of gorgeous Florida scenery. Highly technical visuals are not a co-star in this film.

Photosensitivity Warning. For viewers prone to epilepsy and photosensitivity, there are a few scenes of bright flashing or strobing lights that take place inside of a bar/nightclub. No other scenes of note.

The Story

Inspired by the real life events of writer and producer Laura Chinn (“Florida Girls“), she makes her directorial debut in Suncoast, a semi-autobiography drama and coming of age film premiering at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival. This Searchlight Pictures and Hulu original cast stars Nico Parker (“The Last of Us“), Laura Linney (“The Truman Show“) as her brash mom, and Woody Harrelson (“The Hunger Games” franchise).

The story follows the coming of age story of a teen girl (Nico Parker) who is a primary caretaker of her medically dependent brother. Normal teen tropes are present including focus on the relationship with her mom (Laura Linney), school, friends, and an unlikely friendship with an eccentric protester (Woody Harrelson) during one of the most prominent medical court cases of the early 2000’s.

This slow paced drama relies heavily on emotions, identity, and struggle – as the characters deal with the impact of life, death, and ultimately our own struggles with mortality. While certainly not action-packed, the character building, emotional complexity, and delicate relationships are played out well and convincingly by the strong cast. And as a mom I truly felt Linney’s impact of her inner turmoil, exhaustion, and anger as the story unfolds. This story may be triggering for those who have struggled with complex family issues.

Suncoast R Rating Explained

Is Suncoast safe for kids? A Hulu original film that’s rated R? Should parents be concerned? It’s no secret that I am highly skeptical of all MPAA ratings (um hello, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker not disclosing any language??). And as we know, not all movie and TV age ratings are the same. As a parent, it’s been rather heartbreaking to witness how ratings have shifted over the years with a G-rating no longer an option to help guide parents.

PG ratings now oscillating between Turning Red intense to Christopher Robin calm, and even PG-13/TV-14 age ratings teetering on the edge of R or MA ratings (Moon Knight and Werewolf by Night, I see you!), there’s a wide range between the age of 0-14 years old for parents to consider. Having fully disclosed parent guidelines can help determine if a movie or television series is kid friendly – and safe for the whole family to watch together.

Why is Suncoast rated R? In this Suncoast Movie Review | Safe for Kids?, this 2024 Hulu original film from Searchlight Pictures is rated R for “language, teen drug and alcohol use, some sexual references.” With film and TV ratings also unpredictable these days, having fully disclosed parent guidelines can help determine if a movie or television show like Suncoast is kid friendly. Is Suncoast too adult for kids? Is Suncoast not for kids? Let’s breakdown that R age rating in this Suncoast parents guide.

Violence/Suspense. There are verbal references made to school shootings bomb threats, “killing myself,” and murder (overdramatized sarcasm by teens). Loose inferred depictions of death (nothing seen) and inferences to serious medical problems including cancer that may be triggering.

Adult Themes. There is a moderate amount of alcohol consumption in Suncoast – including multiple scenes of teen parties while consuming liquor and beer (keg stand scene) with no adult supervision and acting drunk. Scenes of clubbing at dance clubs and bars with fake ID’s while holding alcoholic beverages present. Drug use includes popping random pills including prescription medicine, smoking weed, and smoking cigarettes.

There are multiple scenes depicting care of a medically dependent child including hospice, hospital scenes, medical equipment, medical diagnoses including cancer, sociopath, and brain aneurysm, grief, loss, and death that may be triggering for some. Scenes of teens in vehicles with no seatbelts on.

Sexual content and innuendo includes teen kissing, a guy grabbing a girl’s bottom, girls in bras, girl in a towel only after a shower, and other tight fitting low cut teen girl outfits, teen dancing, verbal references to “dirty d–k,” “hooking up,” “hickey,” “dirty mouth,” “abortion,” “sucks balls,” “piss,” “horniness,” “panty melter,” “pubes,” “orgies,” “hooker,” “slut,” “finger her,” and “suck my d–k.” One reference to teen love.

Language. Holy strong language, Suncoast. This film basically a wide spectrum of colorful word choices – and definitely one of the reasons why this Searchlight Pictures film didn’t make it to Disney+. Foul language phrases and swear words include: 14 “f*ck,” 3 “d!ck,” 2 “@sshole,” 5 “@ss,” 2 “b!tch,” 18 “sh!t,” 2 “bullsh!t,” 4 “g-dd@mn,” 2 “H-E-double-hockey-sticks,” 3 “crap,” 2 “suck,” and 2 middle finger gestures.

Milder bad language phrases and insults in Suncoast include: “piss,” “pissed,” “weird,” “stupid,” “dork,” “screwy,” “wack,” “balls,” “hooker,” “slut,” “hickey,” “pubes,” “orgies,” “idiot,” “psycho,” “freak out,” “freaking” “shut up,” “jeez,” “oh my gosh,” “g-d,” “oh g-d,” “love of g-d,” “g-d forbid,” “for g-d’s sake,” “oh my g-d,” “Christ,” “Jesus” and “Jesus Christ.”

Suncoast Age Rating for Kids

The Overall

Delicately portrayed and layered with visceral emotion, you can feel Chinn’s vulnerability to reveal and come to grips with her own life story. While harshly spewed with overplayed teen tropes, the inner struggles, the committed acting, and ultimately heartfelt connection of characters is what sells Suncoast as a convincing film.

While I don’t need a re-watch anytime soon, Suncoast has left a lasting impression for those who have dealt with a difficult loss. Not for young kids by any means, but Suncoast is a visual display of the complexities of family, grief, and our own inner struggle with mortality.

Follow Searchlight Pictures on social media:

• Website: https://www.searchlightpictures.com/suncoast
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/argyllemovie
• Twitter (“X”): https://twitter.com/argyllemovie
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/searchlightpics/
• #SuncoastFilm

Looking for more parent movie reviews and TV series reviews like Suncoast Movie Review | Safe for Kids? Check out these popular review posts:

Suncoast, the all-new Searchlight Pictures drama film streams directly on Hulu starting Friday February 9, 2024. Will your family be watching?

I was invited to screen the new Searchlight Pictures film Suncoast 2024 in exchange for this Suncoast Movie Review | Safe for Kids? Parents Guide. All photos courtesy of Searchlight Pictures/Hulu. Be sure to follow Raising Whasians for more movie updates, celebrity interviews, entertainment and behind-the-scenes info!