GROUP
A tedious therapy mockumentary with an empty message.
Should You Watch It?
GROUP has an unusual premise and an ambitious cinematic approach. It uses six split-screen frames to follow 21 weeks of group therapy, letting viewers choose where to look as unscripted conversations unfold. Some performers deliver strong work.
But the film is also very long, aimless, and rarely funny despite its comedy/mockumentary label. Its central question—what does it mean to be good?—is never seriously examined. Instead, the women seek acceptance for “who they are,” even when that includes abhorrent behavior.
The family-content rating is −2, or Caution: this is for discerning adults, not children or young teens. The very strong language and graphic sexual discussions are serious concerns, while the film’s worldview leaves its characters with feelings but few boundaries or answers.
The practical answer: skip GROUP and choose something more worthwhile.
The Story
NO SPOILERS — WE KEEP THE SURPRISESGROUP follows women participating in a therapy group moderated by a real therapist. The characters include a queer punk amputee, a born-again Christian, a hypochondriac, a sex-rocker, a tramp, a binger, and an enigma.
The actresses had narrative lines for their characters, but there was no script. As the sessions unfold, the women discuss abandonment, rape, infidelity, illness, faith, identity, and the desire to be happy.
Is It Any Good?
One star means that GROUP’s interesting idea and occasional strong performances do not overcome its weaknesses.
The six-way split-screen format gives viewers an active role in deciding which frame to watch. The unscripted method also creates some compelling moments, and several characters are well performed. But the movie grows tedious and aimless. It may mirror real-life therapy, yet that does not make it effective cinema.
The film also fails to deliver the laughter promised by its comedy/mockumentary label. Its discussions keep circling serious problems without reaching a deeper goal, leaving the whole experience ultimately unsatisfying.
The Worldview
GROUP presents a pagan worldview in which feelings often guide morality. The film includes strong pro-homosexual content, feminist ideas, and comments opposed to biblical Christianity. Its therapist emphasizes support and acceptance, but offers few boundaries or answers beyond how the women feel.
The film does include a refreshing Christian perspective through Clancey. She speaks about walking with God, refers to Jesus Christ, reads Scripture, prays, and offers love and forgiveness. The Christian message is presented as genuine rather than foolish. Yet Clancey does not clearly distinguish between sin and the sinner, and the film leaves the viewer wondering why she would attend a group advertised as “Queer Friendly.”
GROUP’s central moral weakness is that it asks what is good but does not examine the question. The film’s emphasis on acceptance, even amid abhorrent behavior, conflicts with Scripture’s warning: “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?” (Jeremiah 17:9)
The Content Guide
The specifics — spoilers included by nature — so you can judge for your own family.
Content Summary
Pagan worldview with group members led by feelings that are often immoral, character advised if she “feels like” doing something, she should, strong pro-homosexual content (verbal only) with some discussion of homophobia being fear or not understanding homosexuals as well as anti-Biblical and Christian comments made by several group members, fairly well-articulated Christian message including Jesus’ name and strong references to and demonstrations of love and forgiveness, prayer, Scripture quoted in positive way and received well by nonbelievers, and feminist perspective with no males mentioned except males who have moral failings (adultery, abandonment, alcoholism, rape); very strong language with 44 obscenities (mostly the “f” word) and eight profanities using God and Jesus’ name, some graphic discussions of sex, discussions of the male private part, sexual transition and female anatomy; no sex or nude scenes but verbal homosexual references and graphic discussions of sex and human anatomy; two characters smoke cigarettes, two characters declare Jewish faith though they live immoral lives, one character demonstrates Biblical values of love, forbearance; and, characters verbally attack one another.
Talk About It
Questions for the drive home, the dinner table, or the youth group.
The film asks whether people should be accepted for “who they are,” even when their behavior is wrong. How can Christians show love while still naming sin truthfully?
Ephesians 4:15 · John 1:14The Christian character offers prayer, Scripture, love, and forgiveness but does not clearly explain the gospel. What belongs in a full presentation of the good news?
1 Corinthians 15:1–4 · Romans 3:23–24The therapist focuses on feelings. When should feelings be listened to, and when should they be tested against God’s truth?
Proverbs 14:12 · 2 Corinthians 10:5The women want happiness but do not find clear answers. Where does Scripture say lasting joy is found?
Psalm 16:11 · John 15:11The Final Word
GROUP has an intriguing format and some strong performances, but its one-star execution, empty moral vision, very strong language, and graphic sexual discussions make it an easy SKIP IT. If you are looking for something more worthwhile, start here:.
