MOONSHOT
Bright Mars romance with adult content concerns.
Should You Watch It?
MOONSHOT is a funny, bright, futuristic comedy with a lot to commend. Its story promotes friendship, loyalty, helping others, gratitude for life, and the importance of using time well. True love and the value of loved ones are central, and the film gives its awkward dreamer a real appreciation for the wonder around him.
The cost is significant. The film includes about 20 obscenities and profanities, including one “f” word, along with sexual references, crude humor, drunken behavior, and a subplot involving a same-sex couple who become engaged. A Creation discussion also explains the universe through the Big Bang Theory without referring to God or creation from nothing.
Adults who can engage those concerns may find a rewarding, entertaining romantic comedy. For family viewing with children or young teens, choose something else.
The Story
NO SPOILERS — WE KEEP THE SURPRISESWalt, an awkward college senior who has been rejected 37 times for a Mars scholarship, is determined to reach the planet anyway. Sophie, a more accomplished student, has paid the million-dollar fee to join her boyfriend and family there.
When Sophie’s carefully planned journey collides with Walt’s desperate dream, he becomes a stowaway on her spaceship. Their trip to Mars forces two very different people to reconsider love, loyalty, and what makes a life worthwhile.
Is It Any Good?
Four stars means MOONSHOT is a highly entertaining film with strong comic and visual appeal. It has many laughs, and Cole Sprouse gives a believable, entertaining performance as a lovable but awkward “everyman.”
The movie also does a nice job presenting a future that relates to the present. Its outer-space images are visually stunning, while the story’s messages about friendship, helping others, gratitude, and using time well give the comedy emotional substance.
The Worldview
MOONSHOT presents a light Christian, moral, redemptive worldview. It treats true love, gratitude, loyalty, friendship, helping people in need, the uniqueness of every individual, and the gift of life as important goods. Walt’s appreciation for Mars and the wonder around him also reflects gratitude for Creation.
The film’s worldview is not fully biblical. Its subplot involving a homosexual couple who decide to get engaged promotes same-sex marriage, which the source review describes as politically correct material. In addition, one scene explains Creation through the Big Bang Theory without reference to God or creation from nothing. These elements depart from the source review’s otherwise Christian-oriented moral framework.
At the center is a longing for love, purpose, and a life spent well. Scripture says, “Teach us to number our days, that we may get a heart of wisdom” (Psalm 90:12).
The Content Guide
The specifics — spoilers included by nature — so you can judge for your own family.
Dominant Worldview and Other Worldview Content/Elements
Light Christian, biblical, moral, redemptive worldview with true love and gratitude as the ultimate goal, with a promotion of the gift of life, loyalty and heling others, but the storyline contains politically correct material promoting homosexual marriage, and Creation is only explained by the Big Bang Theory with no reference to God or ex nihilo creation
Foul Language
About 11 obscenities (including one “f” word, about five “s” words, two “a” words, two “b” words, and an obscene reference using a word for male anatomy), one GD profanity and four light profanities
Violence
No violence
Sex
Jokes about erections, the subject of sending nudes is verbally expressed in dialogue, brief implied phone/video sex, and pornography mentioned in dialogue, but not graphic
Nudity
Upper male nudity when main characters in their underclothes after changing, but bodies are fully covered
Alcohol Use
Two scenes where a character is drunk, three scenes where there is alcohol consumption
Smoking and/or Drug Use and Abuse
No smoking or drugs;
Miscellaneous Immorality
Mean behavior in repeatedly calling main character stupid.
Talk About It
Questions for the drive home, the dinner table, or the youth group.
Walt has been rejected 37 times but continues pursuing his dream. When should perseverance become wiser redirection, and how can you seek counsel along the way?
Proverbs 15:22 · James 1:5The story emphasizes using time well and valuing loved ones. What would it look like for your family to number your days wisely?
Psalm 90:12 · Ephesians 5:15–16Walt begins to appreciate the wonder around him. How can gratitude change the way you see ordinary parts of God’s creation?
Psalm 19:1 · 1 Thessalonians 5:18The film presents love, loyalty, and helping others as central virtues. How should Christians show those qualities to people who need help?
John 13:34–35 · Galatians 6:2The Final Word
MOONSHOT is a funny, visually appealing romantic comedy with an uplifting moral center. Its profanity, sexual content, drunken behavior, and same-sex marriage subplot make it unsuitable for children and young teens. For discerning adults, it is WORTH THE TRIP — ADULTS ONLY.
