Nutcrackers Movie Review (2024)

Parents need to know that Nutcrackers is an emotional family dramedy about a real estate developer (Ben Stiller) who has to take care of his four nephews after their parents die in a car crash until a foster home can be found. The boys are grieving, trying to make sense of their loss, and in need of love. They also don't go to school and spend their days engaged in risky play on rooftops, with swords, or planning stunts: Other kids call them "hippies" and "freaks." A chicken is killed (off-screen), and a man falls down a set of stairs. A brick is thrown through a window, and kids are nearly hit by a passing truck. A "sex ed" lesson goes awry with misinformation involving discussion and drawings of anatomical parts ("boobies," "floppy penises," "d--ks," "vaginas," and "privates"). Adults drink alcohol, and swearing includes "s--t," "hell," "damn," "ass," and more. But ultimately the characters realize the value of a shared life.

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Violence & Scariness

some

Four children are been left alone after their parents die in a car crash involving the car turning over and exploding. They're grieving. They throw their parents' ashes in a fire. They also engage in risky play, on rooftops, with swords, or planning to ride a motorcycle off a makeshift ramp. A chicken is killed (off screen) and a man falls down a set of stairs. A brick is thrown through a window. Kids are nearly hit by a passing truck. Other kids make fun of the boys. A man describes the violent plotline of Rambo and discusses the terrible things that might happen to children traveling alone by rail.

Sex, Romance & Nudity

some

The boys are interested in learning about sex. Their knowledge is flimsy about how babies get made, based on anatomical drawings and discussion of body parts like "boobies," "floppy penises," "d--ks," "vaginas," and "privates." A 12-year-old boy and a girl have crushes on each other and share a kiss. The boy asks his uncle for kissing advice. Two adults flirt. There's suggestion of a past affair and another past one-night stand.

Language

some

"S--t," "hell," "damn," "sucks," "brats," "butt," "stupid," "dummy," "freaks," "hippies," "pain in the ass."

Products & Purchases

a little

Porsche, Mac, Rambo, Triumph, Corvette. Characters' wealth (or lack thereof) is discussed. A loan causes strife in a family.

Drinking, Drugs & Smoking

a little

Adults drink alcohol in a bar and in homes. The kids give Michael a key to their father's liquor cabinet.

Positive Messages

a lot

Life is better when it's shared with loved ones. Family is what you make it. Children need love, attention, patience, and care. Foster homes and orphanages are often not ideal places for kids. Schools and society pressure people, including kids, to conform.

Positive Role Models

a lot

Michael learns to open up his heart and value relationships. The brothers realize their behavior has consequences. Gretchen tries to help the boys and Michael.

Diverse Representations

very little

Main characters are White. The film is set on an Ohio farm where four orphaned brothers run wild, don't go to school, and play pranks on adults but also crave love and stability. Their well-off uncle comes to care for them temporarily from his big-city job in Chicago, resulting in expected culture clashes. Boys dance ballet. Other kids make fun of the boys because they have long hair and look and act "differently."

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