THE FRESHMAN
A flat comedy about deception, environmentalism and an endangered lizard.
Should You Watch It?
The Freshman wants to be a comedy about environmental responsibility, endangered species and a young man learning to navigate deception. But its political ambitions do not stir much emotion or motivate much action, and its comedy repeatedly falls flat.
Clark Kellogg is hustled when he arrives in New York City and soon becomes entangled with Carmine Sabatini, a mafia kingpin who treats him like family. Clark knows the scheme is wrong, yet goes along with it, uttering profanity and showing poor judgment along the way.
The film has a few positive ideas, but the source review finds them overwhelmed by weak comedy and an ill-fated central character. For your family, the practical answer is to skip it.
The Story
NO SPOILERS — WE KEEP THE SURPRISESClark Kellogg arrives in New York City as a freshman film student at NYU and is hustled almost immediately. Needing money for books, he becomes connected to Carmine Sabatini, a mafia kingpin who takes a fatherly interest in him.
Clark agrees to deliver a kimono dragon lizard for Carmine, learning that the animal is endangered. As Carmine's favors and family connections pull Clark deeper into an unfamiliar world, he begins to wonder why these strangers are offering him their friendship.
Is It Any Good?
Two stars means this is a weak comedy with a worthwhile premise that never fully works. The film tries to make a statement about environmentalism and saving endangered species, but it does not stir emotion or motivate action.
The humor consists largely of broad situations: transporting a giant lizard, the animal getting loose in a mall, and jokes involving Carmine's daughter and Clark's film professor. The source review finds that even when the comedy tries to get up, it falls flat.
The Worldview
The Freshman presents environmentalism and the protection of endangered species as worthy concerns. Its story also portrays a habitat for animals in danger of extinction as a constructive use of money. Those ideas align with responsible care for creation, but the film does not make its environmental message emotionally powerful or motivating.
The film also centers on deception, robbery and a scheme Clark knows is not right. Clark is too willing to follow along, despite being an inexperienced college student who needs better judgment. The source review points to Matthew 10:16 as the wiser path: “Therefore be as shrewd as serpents and as innocent as doves.”
The film's central moral problem is not merely that Clark is inexperienced. He lacks both the shrewdness to recognize manipulation and the innocence to refuse wrongdoing. Scripture calls believers to pursue both wisdom and integrity: “Therefore be wise as serpents and innocent as doves” (Matthew 10:16).
The Content Guide
The specifics — spoilers included by nature — so you can judge for your own family.
Content Summary
Few profanities and half-dozen obscenities; as well as robbery and deception
Talk About It
Questions for the drive home, the dinner table, or the youth group.
Clark is drawn into a scheme because he needs money. How can wisdom and integrity guide us when we feel pressured or desperate?
Matthew 10:16 · Proverbs 10:9The film tries to make viewers think about endangered species. What responsibilities do people have toward the world God has made?
Genesis 1:28 · Psalm 24:1Why can deception seem attractive when someone promises friendship, money or belonging?
Proverbs 12:22 · Ephesians 4:25What does it look like to be both shrewd and innocent in a confusing situation?
Matthew 10:16 · Philippians 2:15The Final Word
The Freshman has a worthwhile interest in endangered species, but its comedy falls flat and its central character shows poor judgment amid profanity, robbery and deception. For college freshmen and families seeking a stronger choice, skip it and browse our family-friendly picks.
