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Five Feet Apart poster

Is Five Feet Apart OK for Kids?

RomanceDrama
13+
PG-13⭐ 7.2 / 102019 · 1h 56m
Justin Baldoni

Where to Watch

United States

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Streaming data by JustWatch

What's In It

Based on the actual screenplay
🗡️Violence
Moderate▼
Moments in the script, mildest → most intense
0
Cartoon / Comedic
1
Action & Peril
2
Injuries & Death Shown
0
Graphic & Disturbing
  • Poe suffers a tension pneumothorax (collapsed lung) during a Code Blue emergency; the medical team performs chest compressions and resuscitation as he flatlines and dies
  • Will and Stella fall through the ice on a frozen lake into freezing water and must be rescued after struggling to survive
  • Abby's death from a cliff-diving accident (broken neck and drowning) is referenced as backstory, not shown on screen
  • No weapons are used; all violence stems from medical emergencies and an accidental fall through ice
  • Overall tone is dramatic and medical rather than action-violence, but the Code Blue scene is intense and includes a character's death
💬Language
Moderate▼
Moments in the script, mildest → most intense
6
Mild Words
(damn, hell)
8
Moderate
(ass, b**ch)
3
Strong
(sh*t)
0
Extreme
(f**k)
  • Characters say 's**t' (6 times) and 'da**' (2 times) throughout the film
  • Strong profanity is present: 'f**k/f**king' is used 3 times
  • Milder language includes 'a**' (3), 'hell' (2), and 'cr*p' (1)
  • No slurs or extreme profanity beyond the f-word instances detected
👻Scary Scenes
Extreme▼
Moments in the script, mildest → most intense
1
Mildly Tense
0
Startling Moments
1
Genuinely Scary
2
Deeply Disturbing
  • Poe's Code Blue emergency is disturbing, showing a full resuscitation attempt as the medical team frantically works while he flatlines
  • Stella and Will breaking through ice into freezing water is a scary sequence with real peril and struggle to survive
  • Stella's pre-surgery anxiety before her G-tube replacement under general anesthesia creates a tense atmosphere
  • Stella's internal monologue graphically contemplating death, including descriptions of taking a last breath and drowning in her own fluids, is disturbing content
  • These scenes are resolved with rescue (ice fall) and grief processing (Poe's death), not left unresolved
💕Romance
Moderate▼
Moments in the script, mildest → most intense
1
Crushes & Holding Hands
2
Kissing & Dating
2
Suggestive
0
Sexual Content
  • Will and Stella begin with antagonistic banter that grows into mutual attraction and a central romance
  • Will sings Stella to sleep before her surgery, followed by a kiss in the bathroom; multiple kisses occur throughout the film, including on the frozen lake
  • Will performs mouth-to-mouth resuscitation on Stella during the ice rescue, a moment that is life-saving but depicted with intimacy
  • There are references to physical closeness and Stella's insecurity about her scars and G-tube, discussed but not shown explicitly
  • No sexual content is depicted on screen
🍺Substances
Moderate▼
Moments in the script, mildest → most intense
1
Mentioned in Passing
1
Shown Casually
1
Featured Prominently
0
Glorified or Abused
  • Medications, pills, antibiotics, and nebulizer treatments are shown prominently as part of the characters' daily medical regimen for cystic fibrosis
  • Stella references suppositories as part of her CF treatment
  • A birthday party includes a toast with alcohol ('Salud') with no significant focus or glorification
  • All substance depictions are medical/treatment-related rather than recreational, except for the brief celebratory toast
⚡Stimulation
Moderate▼
Moments in the script, mildest → most intense
0
Gently Engaging
2
Exciting
2
Intense
0
Overwhelming
  • The extended ice-breaking scene with Will and Stella falling through the frozen lake features rapid pacing, panic, and rescue sirens
  • The Code Blue emergency sequence includes alarms, urgency, and full medical resuscitation efforts that may be overwhelming
  • Stella's skydiving birthday surprise with her mother and sister is an exciting, upbeat sequence
  • A clandestine hospital party with friends and music offers a lighter, energizing moment
  • Sensory-sensitive children may find the ice rescue and Code Blue sequences overwhelming due to their intensity
Five Feet Apart — Heads Up for Parents

Parents may be caught off guard by how graphic and disturbing Stella's internal monologue is when she describes the physical process of dying, including drowning in her own fluids, which goes beyond typical PG-13 romantic drama content.

About Five Feet Apart

Five Feet Apart follows Stella and Will, two teenagers with cystic fibrosis who fall in love in a hospital despite needing to stay six feet apart to avoid cross-infection. The film blends romance with the harsh realities of chronic illness, exploring themes of mortality, sacrifice, and living fully despite limited time. It has an emotional, bittersweet tone with moments of both tenderness and medical crisis.

👨‍👧
Best watched together
Younger teens (13-15) will benefit from a parent present to help process Poe's sudden death during the Code Blue scene and to discuss the strong language and the moral complexity of Stella's decision to refuse a life-saving transplant.

Family Takeaways from Five Feet Apart

What it gets right

  • ✓The film shows medical staff (Barb, Dr. Hamid, Julie) demonstrating deep, consistent care for their patients throughout
  • ✓Stella's use of her YouTube platform to educate viewers about cystic fibrosis and cross-infection risk shows a positive, informative use of social media

Five Feet Apart Cultural & Values Guide

Cultural & Values Guide

Values & Themes
●Traditional family values

The film centers on Stella's deep devotion to her family, particularly her relationship with her sister Abby and parents who sacrifice everything for her care. Family love and support through illness is the emotional foundation that drives Stella's determination to live fully.

Cast:Haley Lu RichardsonCole SprouseMoisés AriasKimberly Hébert GregoryParminder Nagra

Is Five Feet Apart Appropriate for Your Child's Age?

✗Age 5: Not recommended for 5-year-olds
✗Age 8: Not recommended for 8-year-olds
✗Age 10: Not recommended for 10-year-olds
✗Age 12: Not recommended for 12-year-olds
✓Age 13: Generally appropriate for 13-year-olds
✓Age 15: Generally appropriate for 15-year-olds
✓Age 17: Generally appropriate for 17-year-olds

Individual children may vary — use your judgment.

Parents also ask about Five Feet Apart

  • Is Five Feet Apart appropriate for a 13-year-old?
  • Does Five Feet Apart have violence?
  • Is Five Feet Apart OK for kids?
  • What is the age rating for Five Feet Apart?

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