OLIVIA RODRIGO: DRIVING HOME 2 U

This is a polished and emotionally open look at Olivia Rodrigo creating her debut album, SOUR. The film’s beautiful scenery, strong production, interviews, songwriting discussions, and musical performances make it consistently entertaining. It also helps you understand the person behind the popular songs.

The concern is the film’s worldview. Rodrigo is presented as driven by her emotions and by following her heart, even when she knows logically that a choice is wrong. The documentary includes a few obscenities, light profanities, a song lyric about drinking, and a joking reference to Satan with a demonic voice singing one lyric.

If you or your older teen can discuss those ideas with discernment, the documentary has artistic and emotional value. Because it is already streaming and parents can guide the experience, WAIT FOR HOME is the practical answer.

Olivia Rodrigo takes a road trip from Salt Lake City, Utah, to Los Angeles, visiting places connected to the writing of her record-breaking debut album, SOUR. Along the way, she discusses the struggles, heartbreak, and emotions behind each song while performing the music in deserts, under bridges, at a gas station, and in other settings.

Three stars means this is a very good, aesthetically pleasing documentary with meaningful weaknesses. The production quality is outstanding, with beautiful scenery and impressive filming throughout. The movie also finds a strong balance between interviews, conversation, song creation and production, and musical performance.

The documentary authentically depicts Rodrigo’s raw emotions and musical talent. It remains entertaining throughout and gives viewers a closer look at the artist behind the music. Its main limitation is not the filmmaking but the worldview carried through the songs and discussions.

The documentary presents a strong Romantic, non-Christian worldview. Olivia Rodrigo appears controlled and driven by her emotions, especially in matters of heartbreak, love, and relationships. Much of the film promotes following one’s heart, even when a person knows logically that a choice is not right.

The film does contain some redeeming moral elements. It mentions the importance of love, honesty, openness, and not giving up. However, the non-biblical worldview and beliefs outweigh those positive qualities. The songs and song lyrics also portray hurt, anger, revenge, jealousy, pettiness, and confused views of love and relationships. One song includes a comical mention of putting Satan in a song, with a demonic voice singing one lyric.

The film’s emotional honesty can open useful conversations, but Scripture directs us toward a wiser source of guidance than our feelings alone: “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5–6).

OLIVIA RODRIGO: DRIVING HOME 2 U is beautiful, emotionally honest, and musically engaging. Its Romantic, non-Christian worldview and language make it a better choice for guided viewing than casual family entertainment. For older teens and adults, watch thoughtfully at home. WAIT FOR HOME.