Safety on Disney Plus: A Parent Movie Review

Safety, a movie inspired by true events, will be available to stream on Disney Plus on December 11, 2020.  It’s a heartwarming movie about a brother’s journey to provide a loving, stable environment for his younger brother.  However, is it a movie that younger kids will enjoy?  I’m answering this question in my spoiler free parent movie review.  With a PG rating that includes mature content, here’s what parents need to know about Safety on Disney Plus. 

Safety on Disney Plus: A Parent Movie Review

Safety is about a Clemson University football player named Ray (“Ray Ray”) McElrathbey who faces adversity on and off the football field.  In the beginning of the movie, Ray Ray arrives at Clemson University with a football scholarship.  His position, as you might have guessed from the title of the movie, is Safety.  The movie depicts Ray Ray struggling with balancing his responsibilities as a football player while trying to keep up academically in his classes.  When his mother goes to jail for drug possession charges, he has his life further complicated with providing a stable home for his 11 year old brother Fahmarr.  Much of the movie focuses on Ray Ray’s struggles to carve out a new life for the both of them while trying not to run afoul of the NCAA’s eligibility rules.  Because of its serious subject matter, will younger kids enjoy the movie?  Here’s what parents need to know.

It’s Rated PG

Safety is rated PG so parental guidance is suggested.  There wasn’t any bad language or sexual content.  However, because it is a football movie, there is some violence.  But, the violence is not graphic in nature and most of the scenes occur off the football field.  There is mature content, though.  More about that below.

Mature Content

This movie may be difficult for younger children to watch due to mature content. It tackles difficult subjects like substance abuse and addiction. However, it’s an opportunity for parents to discuss a sensitive subject matter with their children.  For example, the movie provides an empathetic context to a family member’s addiction to drugs.  Rather than focusing on Ray Ray and Fahmarr’s mom, the movie focuses on how her addiction and subsequent incarceration impacts Ray Ray and Fahmarr.  

Overall Thoughts

While this isn’t a lighthearted movie by any means, it is very inspirational.  Not only does it teach the importance of family (biological and non-biological), but it also teaches how a community can make a difference in people’s lives.  However, the movie is two hours long and it can be slow at times.  As a result, it can be difficult to keep a younger child’s attention.  Also, because Safety is a sports movie, my husband and I expected that Ray Ray’s conflict with the NCAA would be more prominently featured.  Conflict with the NCAA doesn’t occur, though, until the movie is almost over.  Consequently, the ending seems to be more of a foregone conclusion.  Nevertheless, this is a movie that will tug at your heartstrings.  

If you’re looking for more family friendly movies to watch on Disney Plus, click here for my review for Godmothered.

About Safety

“Safety” is a drama inspired by the empowering story of former Clemson University football safety Ray McElrathbey (Jay Reeves), a young man facing a series of challenging circumstances, whose dedication and persistence help him to triumph over repeated adversities. Aided by his teammates and the Clemson community, he succeeds on the field while simultaneously raising and caring for his 11-year-old brother Fahmarr (Thaddeus J. Mixson).