IN THIS WORLD
A thin, troubling refugee drama best considered at home.
Should You Watch It?
IN THIS WORLD has a serious subject and invites sympathy for two Afghan youths enduring a dangerous journey from a refugee camp in Pakistan toward London. But the source review finds that Michael Winterbottom loses focus, leaving the story too thin to carry its political purpose.
The film attempts to keep the journey alive with animated maps and narration. Yet many sequences are tedious and boring, while low-budget digital photography and lighting make some portions unwatchable. Its R rating also includes disturbing death, pornographic material, nudity, strong language, and morally compromised behavior.
If you want to engage this story, WAIT FOR HOME, where you can control the setting and discuss its ideas and content with your family.
The Story
NO SPOILERS — WE KEEP THE SURPRISESTwo Afghan youths, Enayat and Jamal, leave a refugee camp in Pakistan for a perilous attempt to reach London. Their uncle pays people smugglers to take Enayat, while Jamal persuades him to go as well because he speaks English.
With little money and barely any clothing, the boys begin a journey across borders and unfamiliar places, carrying only a few personal resources and their hope of reaching England.
Is It Any Good?
One star means this film’s serious subject is not enough to overcome its execution. The review acknowledges Winterbottom as a gifted filmmaker and notes his creative use of animated maps and narration.
But the story is too thin, many sequences are tedious and boring, and a little more scripting would have helped. The low-budget digital camera and lighting techniques also make some of the movie unwatchable. The result is a film whose audience may feel for the boys but is unlikely to find the storytelling compelling.
The Worldview
IN THIS WORLD presents the suffering and desperation of Afghan refugees while directing attention toward their attempt to reach England. The review says Winterbottom made the film to appeal to the British government to admit refugees from the Muslim world. Its political purpose is apparent, but the review finds that the film preaches rather than tells a sufficiently strong story.
The film includes many references to Islam and Allah, along with vague Marxist references. The source review says it offers no sufficiently redemptive Christian worldview and argues that the Middle East’s recovery requires rejecting Islam and receiving grace through Jesus Christ. It also contrasts England’s attractiveness with what the review describes as the benefits of its Christian heritage.
The film’s central concern is displacement: people searching for safety, stability, and a home. Scripture calls believers to care for the vulnerable and to show hospitality: “Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality” (Romans 12:13).
The Content Guide
The specifics — spoilers included by nature — so you can judge for your own family.
Content Summary
Light pagan worldview with lots of references to Islam, a false religion, and some vague Marxist references; five obscenities and many positive references to Allah; people suffocate to death in field container while being smuggled into Europe and very brief shots of porn magazines and male porn films; upper male nudity; no smoking; no drinking; and, lying, stealing, bribing officials, and smuggling people. GENRE: Drama Pa FRFR Co L N MM VV S
Talk About It
Questions for the drive home, the dinner table, or the youth group.
What might drive someone to leave home with little money and few possessions? How does Scripture direct us to treat people who are vulnerable or displaced?
Leviticus 19:33–34 · Matthew 25:35The boys face pressure to lie, steal, bribe officials, and use smugglers. When does desperation tempt people to excuse wrongdoing, and how does God call us to live instead?
Proverbs 12:22 · Romans 12:2What does it mean to show compassion without assuming that every proposed solution is wise or righteous?
Micah 6:8 · James 1:5How should Christians respond when a film raises suffering but does not offer a redemptive answer?
Philippians 4:8 · Colossians 3:12The Final Word
IN THIS WORLD cares about a painful human situation, but its storytelling is thin, its filmmaking often tedious, and its R-rated content is disturbing. Consider it at home, where you can guide the conversation. The final answer is WAIT FOR HOME. For other options, see.
