The Prom
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Screen for YOUR familyParent's Guide to The Prom
The Prom is a vibrant musical comedy film that follows a group of narcissistic Broadway stars who travel to a small, conservative Indiana town. Their mission is to help a high school student, Emma Nolan, who is prohibited from attending prom with her girlfriend. The film explores themes of acceptance, identity, and the challenges faced by LGBTQ+ youth in unsupportive environments. Directed by Ryan Murphy, it's an adaptation of the popular Broadway musical, aimed at a teen and young adult audience who appreciate musical theater and narratives championing social inclusion. The content generally aligns with a PG-13 rating, featuring some mature thematic elements, suggestive humor, and language.
Things to Consider
LGBTQ & Gender Identity
The film's core narrative is dedicated to LGBTQ+ themes, focusing on a lesbian high school student, Emma Nolan, who is denied the right to attend prom with her girlfriend, Alyssa Greene. It prominently features openly gay characters, explores their struggles with societal and familial rejection, and culminates in a celebration of LGBTQ+ identities. The movie explicitly challenges homophobia and advocates for acceptance.
The central conflict arises when the PTA, led by Alyssa's mother, cancels the prom to prevent Emma from bringing her girlfriend as a date. The song 'Love Thy Neighbor,' performed by Andrew Rannells' character, Trent Oliver, directly questions religious justifications for homophobia and the weaponization of faith against the LGBTQIA+ community. The film concludes with a 'pride filled, rainbow loving, prom scene' where Emma and Alyssa share a kiss, signifying acceptance. James Corden's character, Barry Glickman, is an openly gay Broadway actor whose personal storyline includes flashbacks to his own experiences of parental rejection due to his sexuality.
Disrespect & Rebellion
The entire premise of 'The Prom' involves a group of Broadway stars and a high school student actively rebelling against a conservative PTA's decision to ban a same-sex couple from prom. This includes open defiance of authority figures and critical commentary on small-town values.
Anti-Christian Themes
Several sources identify 'The Prom' as containing strong 'Anti-Christian' themes, particularly in its portrayal of religious opposition to homosexuality. The film explicitly challenges and critiques Christian beliefs and interpretations that condemn same-sex relationships, presenting them as hypocritical or weaponized.
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Additional Context
Best For Ages
Ages 13 and up. The MPAA rated 'The Prom' PG-13 for thematic elements, suggestive/sexual references, and language. Common Sense Media also recommends the film for teens aged 13 and older. This recommendation is based on the film's central themes of LGBTQ+ identity and acceptance, which may require maturity to process, alongside instances of profanity, mild suggestive content, and depictions of alcohol consumption.
Good to Know
The film is an adaptation of a Broadway musical. There were no indications of differences across theatrical, extended, or director's cuts, or any sequels that would intensify or change content concerns. Criticism regarding James Corden's casting as a gay character by a straight actor was noted in several reviews, with some finding his portrayal stereotypical and offensive. However, this does not directly alter the content's parental guidance concerns but reflects a point of community discussion and criticism.
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