A Lot or a Little?
What you will—and won't—find in this movie.
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Positive Messages
a lot
It's important to choose compassion and empathy even in hard circ*mstances. The importance of humility, gratitude, courage, and self-control are also in play, especially when it comes to overcoming addiction.
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Positive Role Models
some
Phil is overcome in his adult life by alcoholism, self-loathing, and abusive tantrums, possibly due to trauma he faced in relation to his unstable mother. But compassion and empathy of others -- including his siblings, his wife Kay (Amelia Eve), his local pastor -- and compassion for himself allow him to grow into a better father and husband. Phil's humility and gratitude keep him grounded in his new, faith-driven life. Phil also learns how to control himself amid temptation to go back to his old habits. Even though Phil starts out rocky, he shows how someone can become a better person by confronting unhealthy habits and problematic coping skills.
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Diverse Representations
a little
Main characters are White. Two supporting Black characters have a few lines: a Black woman to whom Phil sells fish (for her family's restaurant) and a man at a bar Phil frequents who gambles with Phil. Both characterizations are mostly benign, with a lean toward positive representation in the case of the woman. But women other than the main character's wife, Kay, are largely left out of the film. Kay does grow throughout her turbulent years with Phil while he's in the grip of alcoholism; when he kicks her and their children out of their home, she becomes more independent and self-sufficient. But she's also portrayed as unrealistically angelic, steadfast, and understanding, even when Phil is at his worst.
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Violence & Scariness
some
Scenes with domestic violence, including punching walls, flipping tables, violently pushing someone against a refrigerator, and more. Scene of a drunken car accident (Phil runs his truck into a tree). Hunting scenes with guns. Scenes of emotional violence, including hurtful, violent tantrums.
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Sex, Romance & Nudity
very little
A making-out scene.
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Language
some
Infrequent swearing includes "damn" and "s--t."
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Products & Purchases
very little
Phil Robertson is well known as the personality behind Duck Dynasty and its related products.
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Drinking, Drugs & Smoking
a lot
Many scenes depicting Phil in the throes of alcoholism. Smoking.
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Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that The Blind is a faith-centered biopic about Duck Dynasty star Phil Robertson (Aron von Andrian). Through a religious lens, it focuses on the idea of redemption and forgiveness. Mature content isn't constant but includes strong language ("damn," "s--t") and many scenes with or of drinking -- including alcohol addiction -- and smoking. There are scenes that could be considered domestic abuse, such as slamming walls, intimidation, flipping tables, and violent pushing. And some scenes depict hunting (the use of guns) and a violent but non-fatal car crash. To stay in the loop on more movies like this, you can sign up for weekly Family Movie Night emails.
What's the Story?
THE BLIND is based on the life of Duck Dynasty star Phil Robertson (Aron von Andrian). It follows Robertson from childhood to adulthood, including his marriage to Kay (Amelia Eve). He must come to terms with his own turbulent childhood and his addiction to alcohol in order to regain himself, his family, and a renewed life.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how religion is used in The Blind. Is this a faith-based film? Why, or why not?
How is Phil's dependency on alcohol depicted? Does it feel truthful? Are there realistic consequences? Why does that matter?
How is Kay characterized? Is her character realistic, or does she feel idealized?
How did Phil's childhood experiences affect his adult life? How does the film depict the way that people can grow from their prior experiences?
How accurate do you think the movie is to the facts of Phil's life? Why might filmmakers choose to adjust real events when making a movie based on real events?
Movie Details
- In theaters: September 28, 2023
- On DVD or streaming: November 14, 2023
- Cast: Aron von Andrian, Amelia Eve, John Ales, Connor Tillman
- Director: Andrew Hyatt
- Inclusion Information: Female actors
- Studio: Fathom Events
- Genre: Drama
- Character Strengths: Compassion, Courage, Empathy, Gratitude, Humility, Self-control
- Run time: 108 minutes
- MPAA rating: PG-13
- MPAA explanation: thematic content and smoking
- Last updated: April 29, 2024
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