PITCH PERFECT 3
Friendship and goofy fun, but adults should screen this one.
Should You Watch It?
PITCH PERFECT 3 is a strong entertainment package with goofy humor, catchy musical moments, and a better sense of its own ridiculousness than the previous movie. It also carries worthwhile messages about friendship, selflessness, putting others above yourself, and the importance of fathers in their daughters’ lives. Its patriotic sentiments about American troops are another bright spot.
But the positive content comes with a real cost. Many sexual jokes and innuendoes, perversion, and foul language repeatedly mar the movie’s moral strengths. The source especially warns teenagers, and the −2 Family Content rating means this is not a family-suitable choice.
If you are a discerning adult who can handle the crude material, this is worth the trip; otherwise, wait for a cleaner musical comedy.
The Story
NO SPOILERS — WE KEEP THE SURPRISESAfter college, the Barden Bellas are living separate lives and missing their days of singing together. They reunite when Aubrey arranges for them to perform overseas on a USO tour for American troops.
The Bellas soon learn that the tour includes talented bands that play instruments, along with a chance for one group to join DJ Khaled’s record label. Their final performance together becomes a competition—and a test of what their friendship means.
Is It Any Good?
Four stars means this is an especially entertaining movie despite its content problems. PITCH PERFECT 3 embraces its ridiculousness, highlights its quirkier characters, and offers lots of goofy fun. The musical moments are catchy, and the story’s ending resolves things nicely.
The subplot involving “Fat Amy’s” criminal father adds action and gives her some hilarious scenes. The film is also much improved from the previous movie, which had some major holes. Its strongest weakness is not its craft but the sexual humor, perversion, and language that undercut an otherwise enjoyable comedy.
The Worldview
PITCH PERFECT 3 presents a strong moral worldview with some light redemptive elements. It promotes friendship, selflessness, putting others above yourself, and the importance of fathers. Its patriotic sentiments about American troops serving overseas are also positive.
The film’s central moral idea—that people should value one another over personal ambition—aligns with a biblical emphasis on self-sacrifice and love. Its father-daughter theme is more complicated because both examples in the movie show fathers failing in this responsibility. The movie also includes a character who is a lesbian homosexual and a supernatural reference involving Satan, elements that depart from a biblical worldview.
The film’s longing for loyal friendship points toward the self-giving love Scripture commends: “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13).
The Content Guide
The specifics — spoilers included by nature — so you can judge for your own family.
Dominant Worldview and Other Worldview Content/Elements
Strong moral worldview with some light redemptive elements promotes friendship, selflessness, putting others above yourself, and the importance of fathers; strong pro-troop sentiments; one character who never speaks talks normally at the very end to everyone’s shock and it’s said that “Satan has finally left her body,” plus one character is a lesbian homosexual.
Foul Language
Seven obscenities (including a few “s” words), no strong profanities, nine light profanities (OMG), and an obscene gesture.
Violence
An action sequence includes men getting punched, arms broken (probably), and an explosion.
Sex
Many sexual jokes, including references to female anatomy, to getting to “Second Base,” to co-habitation, to one of the characters lesbianism, a passionate kiss, and some sensual singing and dancing.
Nudity
No actual nudity, but there are cleavage revealing outfits, and one rock star character has a see through top that shows her bra underneath.
Alcohol Use
Light drinking.
Smoking and/or Drug Use and Abuse
No smoking or drug use, but a man is an implied drug trafficker.
Miscellaneous Immorality
No other objectionable content.
Talk About It
Questions for the drive home, the dinner table, or the youth group.
The Bellas must decide whether personal success matters more than friendship. What does it look like to put others above yourself this week?
Philippians 2:3–4 · John 15:13The movie honors American troops serving overseas. How can your family show gratitude to those who serve and pray for them?
1 Timothy 2:1–2 · Romans 13:7The story includes fathers who fail in their relationships with their daughters. What responsibilities does Scripture give parents, and how can families practice them?
Ephesians 6:4 · Proverbs 22:6The movie uses sexual humor and crude language alongside positive messages. How should Christians decide whether entertainment is helping or harming their thoughts?
Philippians 4:8 · 1 Corinthians 10:23The Final Word
PITCH PERFECT 3 offers funny characters, catchy music, and meaningful friendship themes, but its sexual humor, perversion, and language make it unsuitable for younger viewers. For discerning adults, it is WORTH THE TRIP — ADULTS ONLY. For a cleaner family choice, see.
