FREE STYLE
An engaging racing drama best saved for home viewing.
Should You Watch It?
Free Style has a good heart. Its racing scenes are exciting, its friendship between Cale and Justin gives the story warmth, and its moral worldview is unusually strong. Cale prays to God before the final race, and the movie ultimately rewards his perseverance.
But the low budget shows in the serviceable writing and directing. More significantly for families, there is a lot of mostly light foul language. That may be acceptable for some teenagers, but it mars an otherwise relatively family-friendly drama for children.
You may find encouragement in its themes of friendship, responsibility, prayer and pursuing a dream. For a family with younger children, however, wait to watch it at home, where you can decide whether the language is right for them.
The Story
NO SPOILERS — WE KEEP THE SURPRISESCale and his friend Justin are older teenage amateur motocross racers who have dreamed of turning professional since childhood. Cale sees racing as his best chance at success, but family responsibilities, financial pressure and a difficult rival threaten his opportunity to reach the pro circuit.
As Cale works to repair a discarded motorcycle and prepare for the race that could determine his future, he must rely on the friends and neighbors around him.
Is It Any Good?
Two stars means this is an engaging but limited drama. The racing scenes are exciting, and the friendship at the center gives the movie emotional appeal.
The low budget sometimes shows, though, resulting in serviceable writing and directing rather than outstanding filmmaking. The movie’s strongest element is its moral worldview, especially its emphasis on prayer. It has enough racing energy and encouragement to interest teenagers, but not enough polish to make it an essential theatrical experience.
The Worldview
Free Style presents a strong moral worldview. It values friendship, perseverance, responsibility and the pursuit of a meaningful goal. Cale’s prayer to God before the final big race gives the film an explicitly Christian moment, and he is ultimately rewarded.
The story also depicts choices that need moral evaluation. Cale’s father has abandoned the family. His girlfriend cheats on him and lies to him. Cale responds in anger, gets into trouble and tries to evade responsibility, but he is chastised. The film therefore acknowledges both the pain caused by wrongdoing and the need to accept responsibility.
The movie’s central longing is for a chance to succeed and a future secured through perseverance. Scripture teaches that God invites His people to bring their desires and anxieties to Him: “do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God” (Philippians 4:6).
The Content Guide
The specifics — spoilers included by nature — so you can judge for your own family.
Content Summary
Very strong moral, light redemptive worldview with two mentions of prayer, including hero prays to God before the final big race; 15 obscenities (three “d” words, six “h” words and three short “a” words) and seven light exclamatory profanities (e.g., My God) during story and one “h” word and two My God words during outtakes in end credits; light violence includes motorcycle racing with falls and crashes, young man smashes rival’s car window, and some fighting; no sex scenes but young adults kiss; brief upper male nudity; light beer drinking; no smoking or drugs; and, hero’s father has abandoned the family, girlfriend cheats on hero and lies to him, and angry hero gets into trouble and tries to evade responsibility but is chastised.
Talk About It
Questions for the drive home, the dinner table, or the youth group.
Cale prays before the race that will determine his future. What should we bring to God when we feel pressure about success?
Philippians 4:6–7 · James 1:5Cale and Justin’s friendship is tested by their shared dream. What does it look like to support a friend without losing honesty or integrity?
Proverbs 17:17 · Ephesians 4:15Cale gets into trouble after becoming angry and tries to evade responsibility. How should we respond when our choices have consequences?
Proverbs 28:13 · 1 John 1:9The story includes abandonment, cheating and lies. How do these choices damage relationships, and what kind of faithfulness does Scripture call us to practice?
Ephesians 4:25 · Colossians 3:12–14The Final Word
Free Style offers exciting racing, a strong moral worldview and a clear emphasis on prayer, but its low-budget filmmaking and frequent light foul language limit its appeal for families with younger children. Watch it at home, where you can make the call for your family. WAIT FOR HOME.
