Common Sense Media Review
By Tara McNamara , based on child development research. How do we rate?
age 15+
Drama about grief lacks connection; teen drinking, pot use.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
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Drinking, Drugs & Smoking
a lot
Teens smoke pot and make comments that it "heightens who you really are" and "makes you smart." Likable characters sell drugs. The choice to sell marijuana, at a time when it's illegal, is described in positive terms. Drug overdose. Drinking throughout, including by a minor with the knowledge and apparent permission of a parent.
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Language
some
Strong language includes "ass," "a--hole," "bitch," "d--k," "goddamn," "hell," "pissed," and "s--t." Exclamations "Oh my God!" and "Jesus!"
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Violence & Scariness
a little
Brief images of TV coverage of the Twin Towers burning on 9/11. Off camera, a small child is struck and killed by a car; the plot follows the emotional distress of the loss.
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Sex, Romance & Nudity
a little
In two scenes, sex is implied situationally, including that a male character isn't wearing shirts. Kissing. Flirting. Burgeoning romance.
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Positive Messages
a little
Themes of family, love, grief, guilt, resilience, and second chances. To move on from a tragedy, you may need to temporarily create some distance.
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Positive Role Models
a little
An estranged, unemployed father is depicted against stereotype: When his daughter needs him, he's there, and he shows he always has been. But he doesn't rise above the choices that created the estrangement in the first place. An economically disadvantaged teen who's described as "trouble" is depicted with emotional and intellectual depth, but he ultimately reinforces that label.
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Diverse Representations
a little
Interracial romance in which skin color is never an issue. A teen experiences two very different worlds based on economic status: Kids from her rich, predominantly White school are portrayed as gossipy and mean, while Black teens from the less affluent part town are depicted as hardworking. But it's also suggested that every male in the latter community is selling or buying drugs. A Black teen who's described by others as "trouble" is depicted with a rich inner life, and it's shown that there's far more to him than some may presume based on his circumstances. The film was directed by a woman.
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Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Dear Zoe is a coming-of-age drama about a Tess, a 16-year-old artist (Stranger Things' Sadie Sink) who believes she's responsible for her little sister's death. The film explores how tragedy changes us so that we see our lives in two parts: "before" the loss and "after." With her family mired in grief, Tess flees to the home of her estranged father, Nick (Theo Rossi), who's perpetually down on his luck but up with his attitude. He offers a counter-stereotypical take on the "deadbeat dad" cliche: He's broke because he doesn't believe in working for "the man," but he's delighted to get the chance to be a hands-on parent. That said, he does allow the underage Tess to drink beer. He also orders her to stay away from Jimmy (Kweku Collins), the boy next door, but she doesn't listen, and soon, they bond through his sneaking in through her window and teaching her to smoke pot, telling her it "heightens who you truly are" and "makes you smarter." The teens kiss, and it's implied they have sex. Language can be coarse ("bitch," "s--t"), and some characters who sell drugs are presented in a positive light. The central tragedy takes place on Sept. 11, 2001, and there are images of the Twin Towers burning. To stay in the loop on more movies like this, you can sign up for weekly Family Movie Night emails.
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Dear Zoe
Parent and Kid Reviews
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- Parents say (1)
- Kids say (5)
age 12+
Based on 1 parent review
No N. Parent of 10, 12 and 14-year-old
May 30, 2023
age 12+
This is great for preteens and teen’s etc.
very futuristic
See all 1 parent review
What's the Story?
In DEAR ZOE, following the car accident death of her little sister on Sept. 11, 2001, Zoe, 16-year-old Tess (Sadie Sink) tries to escape her grief by moving in with her estranged father, Nick (Theo Rossi). Moving from the suburbs of Pittsburgh to the scrappy town of Braddock, Tess hopes that a change of scenery will offer a chance to heal.
Is It Any Good?
Our review:
Parents say (1):
Kids say (5):
This drama serves up meaty discussion topics but doesn't really dig in to the questions those topics raise. For instance, when a mass tragedy like 9/11 happens, are the lives of others who also happened to die on that day forgotten? Does living or working in an affluent area make you "safe"? If someone just barely scraping by sells drugs to survive, is that wrong, and does that make them a "bad" person? And what makes someone a good parent?
While it could be understood that narrator Tess is a teen who's just living her life, with deeper analysis reserved for her future self, that doesn't fully translate for teen audiences. The story is told through the portal of Tess' journal, a tool intended for self-reflection. So if Tess isn't having these thoughts or realizations, teen viewers won't, either. While Sink does her job of relaying what's on the page, the directing, somehow, doesn't offer viewers an understanding of what's going on with Tess in between the lines. Audiences might understandably expect some sort of deeper message to sink their teeth into -- like how can you process grief and find a way to move on? That opportunity, too, is left on the table.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how Tess moves through the stages of grief. Does the way loss is represented in Dear Zoe feel realistic?
How do you think the movie's characters might be "labeled" in the real world, and how do these characters compare? How do they undermine stereotypes?
Does Dear Zoe glamorize underage drinking and drug use? Are there realistic consequences? Why does that matter?
Movie Details
- In theaters: November 4, 2022
- On DVD or streaming: November 4, 2022
- Cast: Sadie Sink, Theo Rossi, Kweku Collins
- Director: Gren Wells
- Inclusion Information: Female actors, Middle Eastern/North African actors, Multiracial actors, Female writers
- Studio: Freestyle Releasing
- Genre: Drama
- Topics: Book Characters, Brothers and Sisters
- Run time: 94 minutes
- MPAA rating: R
- MPAA explanation: some teen marijuana use
- Last updated: February 20, 2024
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Dear Zoe
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