THIS IS THE YEAR
A sweet, reality-rooted romance about friendship, sacrifice, and growing up.
Should You Watch It?
THIS IS THE YEAR is a sweet, delightful romantic comedy with a strong moral center. It celebrates friendship, brotherly love, and sacrificing for the people you care about. Its central idea is worth carrying home: the best love is rooted in reality, not in fantasies about the perfect relationship.
The movie does include romantic searching, several kisses, brief vulgar language, alcohol use, and a vague reference to hooking up. One artist also talks about “vibes” and energy, though the other characters clearly do not take him seriously. These elements call for parental discernment, especially with younger children.
For teens and older viewers, this is a warm, well-made choice with positive themes. You can watch it with your family if you are comfortable discussing those mild concerns.
The Story
NO SPOILERS — WE KEEP THE SURPRISESJosh is a high school senior determined to tell Zoey, his longtime crush, how he feels before she moves to Los Angeles. With help from his best friend, Molly, he sets his hopes on a music festival—even though he has no tickets.
At the same time, Josh must finish a ten-page essay about his high school experience. As he and his friends pursue an ambitious plan, missed opportunities, friendship, and growing up begin to reshape what he thinks he wants.
Is It Any Good?
Four stars means this is a particularly successful romantic comedy. THIS IS THE YEAR is deftly written, with a clear plot and delightful themes drawn from the 1980s-style movies it copies.
The performances are strong across the cast. Bug Hall is especially engaging as a character who seems like one of the teenagers but proves to be a responsible adult. The movie is slightly predictable, but its sweetness, good performances, and strong moral elements make it an enjoyable experience.
The Worldview
THIS IS THE YEAR presents a mixed worldview, but its central message is strong: the best love is rooted in reality. It resists the fantasy of finding a perfect relationship and instead points toward love expressed through honesty, friendship, brotherly affection, and sacrifice.
The film’s moral elements are ultimately redemptive. Friendship and brotherly love are extolled, and sacrifices for those we care about come out on top. The movie does include some Romantic ideas about dreaming of the perfect relationship, along with an artist’s New Age language about “vibes” and energy. Still, the story makes clear that this character is not taken seriously.
The film’s longing for genuine love and meaningful relationships aligns with Scripture’s insistence that love must be joined to truth: “Love does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth” (1 Corinthians 13:6).
The Content Guide
The specifics — spoilers included by nature — so you can judge for your own family.
Dominant Worldview and Other Worldview Content/Elements
Strong moral, slightly redemptive worldview sends the message that the best love is rooted in reality, brotherly and friendship love are extolled, as is making sacrifices for those you care about, mitigated by some Romantic elements mainly attributed to dreaming of the perfect relationship, plus an artist character showcases some New Age values and says things about “good vibes” and energy, but it’s clear he’s not taken seriously
Foul Language
Two instances of a**, one OMG profanity and a few vulgar words like “crap,” “sucks” and “heck,” and a painting of a tiger shows a middle finger
Violence
Dart accidentally hits a man, but it doesn’t cause too much pain
Sex
No sex, but teenagers say “hook up” but it’s not clear that it means anything more than kissing, teenage couples kiss a few times, girl kisses a friend on the cheek, and a guy kisses his younger brother’s forehead
Nudity
Quick upper male nudity in one scene, teenage guy jokes about sleeping in the nude to his friend
Alcohol Use
Adult male gets a bit tipsy at a party with a new friend of his, champagne glasses clink on screen, teenagers drink out of a glass bottle at a VIP party, but it’s not clear that it’s an alcoholic beverage
Smoking and/or Drug Use and Abuse
It’s said that a character has narcotics in his possession, but it’s not depicted or confirmed;
Miscellaneous Immorality
Lying, but it’s ultimately apologized for and corrected, and a teacher jokes that he hates his students, but it’s clear that it’s a joke.
Talk About It
Questions for the drive home, the dinner table, or the youth group.
Josh begins with an idealized picture of romance. How can you tell the difference between love rooted in reality and a fantasy about the perfect relationship?
1 Corinthians 13:6 · Philippians 2:4Molly’s friendship helps Josh face what he is avoiding. What does faithful friendship look like when someone needs honesty?
Proverbs 17:17 · Ephesians 4:15The story values sacrifice for people we care about. When have you seen a sacrifice strengthen a friendship or family relationship?
John 15:13 · Philippians 2:3–4Josh must reflect on his high school experience. What moments of growth or faithfulness would you want to remember from this season of your life?
Psalm 90:12 · James 1:2–4The Final Word
THIS IS THE YEAR is a charming, well-made romantic comedy that celebrates friendship, sacrifice, and love grounded in reality. Its mild content concerns call for discernment with younger children, but teens and older viewers can find plenty to enjoy. Our answer is WORTH THE TRIP — MIDDLE SCHOOL AND UP.
