Ron's Gone Wrong
Ron's Gone Wrong is a 2021 animated science fiction comedy film that explores the intricate relationship between technology, social media, and adolescent friendships. The story centers on Barney, a socially awkward middle-schooler, who unexpectedly receives a malfunctioning 'B-Bot' named Ron, designed to be the ultimate digital companion. Through their adventures, the film critiques the superficiality of online validation and the commercialization of human connection, ultimately championing the value of authentic, messy friendships over algorithm-driven popularity. The movie, with a runtime of 107 minutes, is generally presented as family-friendly and is recommended for older children. It offers a relevant commentary on contemporary issues such as screen addiction, data privacy, and bullying within the digital landscape. The narrative aims to deliver a heartwarming message about self-acceptance and the importance of genuine human relationships in a world increasingly dominated by technological devices.
Concerns
LGBTQ & Gender Identity
MediumWhile the movie's narrative does not explicitly feature LGBTQ+ or gender identity themes or characters, searches related to the media did reveal that Jack Dylan Grazer, the voice actor for the protagonist Barney, publicly identified as bisexual with "he/they" pronouns in July 2021, after the film's release. This is an external piece of information pertaining to an individual involved with the production rather than the film's content itself.
The film's storyline and characters do not contain any explicit or implied LGBTQ+ representation or gender identity themes. Jack Dylan Grazer, the actor who voices the main character Barney Pudowski, publicly came out as bisexual in July 2021 via an Instagram livestream.
Violence
MediumThe film contains mild cartoon violence, slapstick, and scenes of robots malfunctioning and attacking. There are instances of bullying that lead to physical confrontations, and a chase scene involving a large number of B-bots. While no graphic injuries or blood are shown, some scenes can be intense for younger viewers.
Ron, the defective B-bot, physically attacks children, including Rich Belcher, when its safety functions are disabled, which is described as Ron being 'the most broken that a robot could possibly be.' An army of red, glowing B-bots chase Barney and Ron through the woods, trapping them in a glowing red net, creating a suspenseful and potentially frightening situation.
Profanity
MediumThe film includes occasional mild coarse language and crude humor, typical for a PG-rated animated movie. These instances are not frequent or intense, and generally involve childish terms rather than strong expletives.
Characters use words such as 'recess H*ll' by Barney and 'suck(s)'. A bully uses the word 'butt', and Ron is referred to as having a 'ro-butt'; there are also mentions of 'poop girl' and crude humor involving being 'pooped out.'
Scary & Intense Content
MediumThe film contains several intense and potentially scary scenes, particularly for younger children. These include moments of peril, chase sequences, and situations where characters are in danger or appear to 'die,' though these are ultimately resolved in a family-friendly manner.
An army of red, glowing B-bots chases Barney and Ron through the woods, creating a suspenseful and frightening atmosphere as they are trapped in a net. Ron appears to lose power and 'dies' on the ground as rescuers approach Barney, which could be upsetting for children, and Barney suffers an asthma attack, heightening the sense of peril.
Disrespect & Rebellion
MediumThe movie features instances of disrespect and rebellious behavior, primarily from children towards authority figures and through themes of defying corporate control. Barney initially goes against his father's wishes to keep Ron, and there is bullying among students.
Barney defies his father's instruction to return Ron to the Bubble store for recycling, secretly rescuing Ron instead. Rich and his friends engage in bullying behavior towards Barney for not having a B-bot and for his interests, demonstrating disrespect and unkindness among peers.
Romance and Sexual Content
LowThe movie has very minimal and mild romantic or sexual content. There are no explicit sexual acts, graphic nudity, or overt sexual references. Some crude humor exists, primarily involving references to body parts in a childish way.
Rich and his friends make fun of Ron, saying he is 'naked' and that they can see his 'parts' because B-bots can change appearance, but Ron cannot. There are no explicit romantic relationships or kissing depicted; the focus remains on the development of friendship.
Witchcraft & Occult
LowThe movie contains a single, very brief and dismissive reference to the occult. This mention is explained away by a logical, non-supernatural reason and does not involve any active depiction of magic, rituals, or supernatural beings.
Donka mentions that an uncle was 'possessed,' but immediately clarifies that it was actually an allergic reaction, effectively negating any supernatural implication. There are no other instances of witchcraft, sorcery, magic rituals, demons, spells, or supernatural elements throughout the film.
Substance Use
LowThere are brief, implied, or very mild references to alcohol use, presented humorously or in passing. No explicit drug use or glorification of substance abuse is depicted.
Barney's grandmother, Donka, mentions that their family 'makes do with what they have' and that a relative once fixed a hernia with a bread knife and vodka. Ron brings some random people to a 'buddy bench' to befriend Barney, and one of them is seen carrying something that 'looks like it could be alcohol.'
Anti-Christian Themes
LowThe film does not contain any explicit anti-Christian themes, mockery, or criticism of Christian beliefs. Movieguide.org categorizes the film as having a 'Very strong biblical, moral worldview, with strong implied Christian values' such as friendship, love for neighbors, and sacrifice.
The film promotes themes of true friendship, compassion, kindness, and selflessness, which align with Christian values, particularly in Ron's ultimate sacrifice and Barney's journey to understand real connection. There are no characters or plotlines that express negative opinions or depict sacrilegious acts against Christian symbols or figures.
Other Notes
Target Demographic
8+ with parental guidance up to 12 years. The film is rated PG for cartoon violence, crude humor, and thematic elements involving social media and bullying, which may be best discussed with parental guidance for younger audiences.
Additional Notes
The film provides a relevant commentary on social media, consumerism, and the challenges children face in forming authentic friendships in a technologically advanced world. Parents may find it a useful starting point for discussions on these topics, as it ultimately promotes positive messages about genuine connection over online validation. There are no announced sequels or adaptations that would introduce new or intensified content.
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