The Sleepover on Netflix: What Parents Need to Know

Sometimes people just need a laugh-out-loud, action popcorn movie.  And The Sleepover on Netflix fits the bill.  A mixture between Adventures in Babysitting, Spy Kids and True Lies, The Sleepover is available for streaming on Netflix beginning August 21, 2020.  However, while it’s primarily a movie about a group of kids trying to rescue adults, is The Sleepover on Netflix really kid friendly?  I’m answering this question and more in my spoiler free parent movie review.  With a TV-PG rating that includes mild language and some violence, here’s what parents need to know.

The Sleepover on Netflix:  What Parents Need to Know

The plot in The Sleepover is a simple one.  Siblings Kevin and Clancy and their friends Mim and Lewis end up in a night they will never forget when they try to rescue Kevin and Clancy’s parents.  That’s because Kevin and Clancy’s mom is a former thief who is kidnapped by her former cohorts to commit the ultimate heist. Their dad, who is completely clueless about his wife’s criminal past, is along for the ride.  Sounds pretty serious, doesn’t it?  Here’s what parents need to know about The Sleepover and whether it’s appropriate for kids.

It’s Rated TV-PG

The movie is rated PG, which means that it contains some material that parents or guardians may find inappropriate for younger children.  For example, it may contain some inappropriate language, very little sexual content, suggestive dialogue, and/or mild violence.  This particular movie has a smidge of mature content touching upon violence and fear.  But more about that below.  

Sexually Suggestive Scenes

There aren’t any sexually suggestive scenes other than a few kisses and a reference to a body cavity search.

Language

The language is very mild in this particular movie.  One character uses the phrase “son of a bitch” and other character uses the term “loser.”  Kevin also references a female’s “boob.”  These particular words aren’t necessarily needed for the storyline, but they are infrequent, and definitely not as bad as the language used in The Kissing Booth 2.

Violence

The Sleepover does contain some violence, but much of it is done in comedic way.  For example, one of the characters wields a pirate sword that lights up and another character is tied up……with Christmas lights.  But while there are fun gadgets used (like a pen that functions as a laser), there are also weapons used like a knife and swords.  And because it’s an action movie, you can also expect a car chase and explosions, as well as fighting (including punching and kicking).  However, with that being said, the violence isn’t graphic.

Overall Thoughts

My family, including my almost 8 year old son, loved The Sleepover.  It reminded me a lot of the movies that I grew up watching in the ’80s and ’90s with some action sequences intermingled with comedy, like Adventures in Babysitting, Home Alone, and True Lies.  It also had some elements similar to Spy Kids.  All of the actors and actresses played their roles well, but Maxwell Simkins who played Kevin really stole the show.  From his facial expressions to physical comedy, he had me and my son in stitches.  It looks like Kevin McCallister might have some competition 🙂  

The Sleepover is a movie that families of most ages should enjoy.  But as always, use your discretion.  I wouldn’t have allowed my son to watch the movie without an adult present.

Interviews with the Cast

My son and I also had the opportunity to participate in a roundtable discussion with many of the cast members.  Click here to read all about it!

About The Sleepover

In this family adventure-comedy, Clancy (Sadie Stanley) and her kid brother Kevin (Maxwell Simkins) discover that their seemingly normal stay-at-home mom Margot (Malin Åkerman) is actually a former high-end thief in the witness protection program. When both their mom and dad (Ken Marino) are kidnapped and forced to pull one last job with an ex-flame of Margot’s (Joe Manganiello), the siblings must team up to rescue their parents over the course of one action-packed night that they’ll never forget. THE SLEEPOVER is directed by Trish Sie (Pitch Perfect 3).