The Family Plan Parents Guide

The Family Plan is a new action comedy causing buzz among families this holiday season. The movie stars Mark Wahlberg as a former top assassin hiding his true identity from his family. 

When his secret past catches up with him, he's forced to protect his loved ones from imminent danger. With its star-studded cast including Michelle Monaghan, Ciarán Hinds and Zoe Margaret Colletti, The Family Plan promises to deliver action, humor and heartwarming family moments. 

The movie is directed by Simon Cellan Jones and produced by Apple Studios, Skydance Media and Mark Wahlberg's own production company Municipal Pictures.

MPAA Rating

The Family Plan has been rated PG-13 by the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) for "sequences of violence and action, sexual material and some strong language." According to the MPAA's rating guidelines, a PG-13 rating signifies content that "may be inappropriate for children under 13" and parents are "strongly cautioned" that some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.

Specifically, The Family Plan contains moderate action violence with multiple fight scenes, shootouts, and chases. Though not overly bloody or gory, there is gun violence and fist fighting throughout the film. There are also scenes showing brief sexuality including some partial nudity and sexual situations. Strong language includes multiple uses of profanity, curses, and crude references. Overall, the content is on par with other PG-13-rated action comedies.

For comparison, The Family Plan has less pervasive action violence than other recent PG-13 films like Bullet Train but more sexual content and profanity than Jumanji: The Next Level. Parents are advised to look more closely at the specific content described in reviews to determine appropriateness for their family.

Content Breakdown

The Family Plan is rated PG-13 by the MPAA for sequences of violence and action, some suggestive content, and strong language. According to The Family Plan Movie Review, the film contains frequent action violence such as shootouts, chases, fights, and explosions. Characters use weapons like guns, knives, and explosives, sometimes resulting in bloody injuries. The violence is generally not overly graphic but can be intense at times.

There are a few scenes with brief sexuality and innuendo. In one scene, a female character comes on to the main character and starts to remove her clothes. Some kissing and embracing between characters is shown as well. Profanity in the film includes uses of "f--k," "sh-t," and other language. According to IMDb's Parents Guide, there are approximately 60 obscenities in total.

Overall, the action violence and peril will likely be the main concern for parents. The language pushes the boundaries of the PG-13 rating at times. While the sexuality is brief, some of the innuendo and jokes may go over kid's heads. Parents should be aware of these elements before allowing pre-teens to view the film.

Comparison to Other PG-13 Movies

The action violence, brief sexuality, and language in The Family Plan is fairly typical for a PG-13 rated action comedy. According to the MPAA ratings guidelines, PG-13 allows for intense sequences of sci-fi violence, action, and gunplay as long as the violence does not include prolonged graphic or gruesome images. The Family Plan contains frequent action violence with gunfights, explosions, and hand-to-hand combat but blood and gore is minimal.

In comparison to other recent PG-13 action movies like the Jurassic World series, Spider-Man: No Way Home, and Uncharted, The Family Plan has a similar level of fantasy action violence. It does not rise to the more pervasive and intense violence of PG-13 movies based on darker source material like Joker or Terminator: Dark Fate. The comedic tone also helps offset the violence. Overall, parents can expect action on par with a typical PG-13 superhero or adventure movie.

Main Themes and Messages

Despite the action violence and shoot-outs, The Family Plan focuses on the importance of family and protecting loved ones. The story shows the consequences that can arise when someone lives a secret double life and how it can negatively impact their family. 

A main theme is the father-child relationships and learning to appreciate one's family, even during difficult circumstances. The lighthearted comedy and jokes throughout help offset some of the darker plot elements involving the father's past.

As Roger Ebert notes in his review, "The story's heart is how Nick comes to realize what's truly important as his family is uprooted and endangered because of his past."

According to IndieWire, "The Family Plan finds moments of emotional connection amidst the barrage of bullets and chase scenes. Mark Wahlberg brings a mix of tenderness and tenacity to the father role."

Age Recommendations

The Family Plan is likely best suited for ages 13 and up due to the moderate violence, brief sexual situations, and profanity. Both Common Sense Media and Parent Previews recommend parental guidance for ages 13-15.

The PG-13 rating means the movie may be unsuitable for pre-teens under age 13, as they likely lack the maturity needed to handle some of the content. Parents are strongly advised to learn about the specific content before allowing pre-teens to view The Family Plan.

For children ages 13-15, parental guidance and co-viewing are highly suggested. The movie introduces some adult topics, so parents may want to discuss various scenes and messages with their teens.

Overall, the consensus among reviewers is that The Family Plan requires active parental participation for younger teens under 16. Each child's level of maturity should guide the decision on whether The Family Plan is appropriate for your family.

What Critics and Reviewers Are Saying

Reviews for The Family Plan have been mixed, with critics praising the action sequences but critiquing the scattered tone of the movie. According to a review on Rotten Tomatoes, "The action delivers even as the story falters thanks to tonal issues" (Rotten Tomatoes). 

Many reviewers have commented on the jarring transitions between comic scenes with the family and intense shootout scenes when Mark Wahlberg's character's assassin background is revealed.

In terms of appropriate ages, Roger Ebert's review states "The frequent action violence and brief sexual content make this better suited for older teens" (RogerEbert.com). So while the PG-13 rating means parental guidance is suggested for those under 13, some reviewers recommend parental guidance even for ages 13-15 due to some mature content.

Overall, reviews indicate the lighthearted family comedy aspects are enjoyable but seem at odds with the dark secret life plot. Parents should weigh whether the themes of family appreciation and father-child relationships outweigh the concerns over action violence when deciding if The Family Plan aligns with their family's values.

Discussion Questions

While The Family Plan delivers action and comedy, it also touches on deeper themes that families can discuss together. Here are some questions parents can ask after watching:

On characters and ethics:

• Is Dan justified in hiding his past from his family? Do you agree with his choices?

• How does Dan's career impact his ability to be a present father? What makes a good father?

On broader themes:

• What is the value of family as shown in the movie? How does the family support each other?

• Do you think the movie glamorizes violence and living a secret life? Or does it show the consequences? 

Use these questions to start meaningful conversations around the key themes in The Family Plan.

Alternatives

If you're unsure about whether your family is ready for the content in The Family Plan, here are some lighter family-friendly comedy options to consider first:

For young kids:

• Sing - Animated musical comedy rated PG with an all-star cast including Matthew McConaughey and Reese Witherspoon.

• Inside Out - Clever and heartwarming Pixar film explores emotions inside the mind of a young girl.

• The Lego Movie 2 - Silly sequel continues the adventures of Emmet, Lucy, and Lego characters.

• Leo - This animated musical, starring Adam Sandler and Bill Burr, tells the story of Leo the lizard, who has been a classroom pet for decades.

For pre-teens:

• Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle - Action adventure comedy starring Dwayne Johnson, rated PG-13.

• Goosebumps - Jack Black stars in this creepy comedy based on the popular book series.

• Jungle Cruise - Emily Blunt and Dwayne Johnson go on a wild riverboat adventure, rated PG-13.

Conclusion

The Family Plan brings laughs and adventure, but requires active guidance and consideration from parents. Before deciding if it's right for your family, assess your child's maturity level and your family's values.

While critics praise the action sequences and humor, they also warn the violence could be too intense for pre-teens. The language and brief sexual content also necessitate caution with younger viewers. Use reviews and guidance to gauge if the content aligns with your comfort level.

For ages 13 and up, The Family Plan can offer a fun evening with the right parental involvement. Watch together and be ready to discuss the themes and content afterwards. Most importantly, know your child's sensitivity to on-screen violence and sexuality before watching.

The Family Plan warrants active consideration from parents to determine if it's a fit. While action and comedy have appeal, the content requires guidance. Assess your family values and child's maturity first, using this review as a tool to make the decision. Approach with a plan to engage and discuss if you decide to watch together.