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.
Concerns
LGBTQ & Gender Identity
HighThe 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
HighThe 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.
The Broadway actors explicitly state, 'your beliefs are not our beliefs,' as they actively work to overturn the PTA's decision to cancel prom, challenging the local authority. The film's narrative features characters openly mocking or critiquing the conservative 'small-town American values' that oppose Emma's desire to bring her girlfriend to prom. Trent Oliver's song 'Love Thy Neighbor' serves as a direct, musical act of rebellion against those using religion to justify discrimination.
Anti-Christian Themes
HighSeveral 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.
Movieguide describes the film as having a 'very strong abhorrent Romantic, politically correct, homosexual worldview that attacks Bible-believing Christians for their beliefs about sin and distorts the Bible'. Andrew Rannells' character performs a musical number, 'Love Thy Neighbor,' which directly 'challenged the idea that being queer is against the Christian faith and how religion should not be weaponized against the LGBTQIA+ community'. Plugged In notes that viewers with differing perspectives from the film's 'rainbow flag-waving agenda' may feel 'unfairly shamed, crudely labeled and ostracized'.
Romance and Sexual Content
MediumThe film features romantic relationships, both heterosexual and same-sex, including kissing and holding hands. It includes some suggestive dialogue and humor, with references to topics like virginity and masturbation in songs.
Emma and Alyssa, the central lesbian couple, hold hands and share a kiss in public. Dee Dee Allen and Principal Hawkins also engage in a romantic storyline that includes kissing. Common Sense Media explicitly mentions 'songs about virginity and masturbation' as part of the content. One scene shows a teen character getting a spray-tan while in her underwear.
Profanity
MediumThe movie contains a moderate amount of profanity. This includes several instances of stronger curse words and a more frequent use of milder expletives.
Movieguide reports '11 obscenities, one Jesus profanity and 25 light profanities'. Plugged In details 'A couple of s-words are accompanied by multiple uses of 'a--,' 'b----,' 'h---' and 'd---mit.' 'P-ss me off' is spit out once or twice'. Common Sense Media also confirms 'the s word along with other choice insults'.
Substance Use
MediumThe film includes depictions of light alcohol consumption among adult characters and a brief, explicit reference to a teenager being advised to use prescription medication for anxiety.
Movieguide notes 'Light alcohol use' and a scene where 'one character advises a teenager to use Xanax to get rid of her anxiety about a situation'. Common Sense Media also states that 'alcohol flows freely and there are some references to pills'. Movie Mom confirms 'Some drinking' and 'some alcohol' is present in the film.
Scary & Intense Content
MediumWhile the film is not scary in a horror sense, it contains intense emotional situations centered around social rejection and homophobia. These scenes depict significant emotional distress for the main character and others.
The central plot involves Emma Nolan facing public humiliation and the cancellation of her prom, leading to feelings of isolation and heartbreak due to homophobia. Barry Glickman's storyline includes emotionally impactful flashbacks detailing his past experiences with parental rejection and bullying because of his sexual identity. Movie Mom lists 'Tense confrontations' as a content warning related to scariness and intensity.
Violence
LowViolence in 'The Prom' is minimal and primarily consists of light physical comedy. There are no depictions of graphic violence, gore, or intense physical harm. The conflict is primarily emotional and social rather than physical.
Movieguide notes the presence of 'Some light physical comedy' in the film. There are no reports from any sources indicating significant or graphic violent scenes, battles, or severe injuries.
Witchcraft & Occult
LowThere is no content related to witchcraft, sorcery, occult practices, magic rituals, demons, spells, or any supernatural elements present in 'The Prom.'
No information regarding witchcraft or occult themes was found in any of the analyzed sources. The film is a contemporary musical without fantasy or supernatural elements.
Other Notes
Target Demographic
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.
Additional Notes
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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