FENCES
Stage-bound family drama best experienced at home by discerning adults.
Should You Watch It?
FENCES has an important story about African American fathers and families. It also has good direction, strong performances from Viola Davis and Mykelti Williamson, and a central Christian character in Rose, a wife whose faith is tested by her husband's selfishness.
But the movie is ultimately exhausting, depressing, and sleep inducing. Troy's tyrannical behavior dominates the film, while foul language, crude sexual references, adultery, extreme alcohol use, and family violence make this a poor choice for a family movie night. Its morality story is buried under the portrait of a bad father.
Because the source intends this for adults and finds it too stagey and bleak for a satisfying theatrical experience, wait to watch it at home—if its themes and content suit your conscience.
The Story
NO SPOILERS — WE KEEP THE SURPRISESIn the mid-1950s, Troy is a garbage collector who believes he is always right. He challenges his company over its lack of African American drivers while trying to provide for his family.
At home, Troy's wife, Rose, must contend with his treatment of their sons, his resentment over his failed baseball dreams, and his friendship with a disabled World War II veteran. Meanwhile, Troy's choices place increasing pressure on the family.
Is It Any Good?
Three stars means FENCES has real strengths but falls short of being a satisfying film. Viola Davis is great as Rose, and Mykelti Williamson is brilliant as Troy's brother. The direction is good, and the dialogue is carefully crafted.
The central weakness is the film's stagey, extreme presentation. Denzel Washington's performance is a bit off, relying on stereotypical poses. The movie becomes exhausting and depressing, and its important moral story is lost in the portrait of a bad father.
The Worldview
FENCES presents a light Christian worldview through Rose, who goes to church and has become a stronger Christian. The film also refers to Jesus. Her faith stands in sharp contrast to Troy's self-made identity and tyrannical behavior.
The movie focuses on a father who abuses and demeans his wife, family, and friends while using carefully crafted dialogue to make his selfish ways almost seem reasonable. It presents some indication of redemption after Troy's death, but that redemption is never shown. The film's emphasis on African American fathers and families gives its subject real importance, even as its extreme, stagey treatment weakens the moral story.
The film's central longing is for family faithfulness and a life not ruled by selfishness. Scripture gives the standard Troy fails to meet: “Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church” (Ephesians 5:25).
The Content Guide
The specifics — spoilers included by nature — so you can judge for your own family.
Content Summary
Light Christian worldview with references to Jesus and a wife who goes to church focusing on a self-made, tyrannical father who abuses his wife, family and friends; 66 obscenities (usually the “n” word) and four profanities; man beats up son and threatens him with a bat, man has temper tantrums breaking and destroying things, brother has a plate in his head from fighting in World War II, and verbal attacks; lots of discussions about sex, man commits adultery, other woman dies in childbirth, Christian wife shuns her husband after the adultery; upper male nudity; very extreme alcohol use where woman tells husband that he’s going to drink himself to Hell; smoking but no apparent drug use; and, lying, demeaning sons and other negative behavior.
Talk About It
Questions for the drive home, the dinner table, or the youth group.
Rose's Christian faith remains important while her marriage is damaged by Troy's choices. What does it mean to seek faithfulness and wisdom in a painful relationship?
Proverbs 3:5–6 · Ephesians 5:25Troy's resentment over his baseball career shapes how he treats his son. How can disappointment become bitterness, and how can we bring it honestly before God?
Hebrews 12:15 · Psalm 55:22Troy uses words to make his selfish and tyrannical behavior sound reasonable. How can truth and humility expose the difference between an explanation and an excuse?
Proverbs 12:22 · James 1:19–20The movie gives some indication of redemption after Troy's death but never shows it. What does genuine repentance look like in Scripture?
2 Corinthians 7:10 · Psalm 51:10–12The Final Word
FENCES contains strong acting and an important story about fathers and families, but its stagey presentation, bleakness, foul language, sexual content, violence, and extreme alcohol use make it unsuitable for children and young teens. For discerning adults who still want to see it, WAIT FOR HOME — ADULTS ONLY. For other options, see.
