SUMMARY: When Ellie Wagner buys a dump-of-a-house to flip, she and her husband Pete decide to keep it for themselves. Later, Pete makes an offhanded joke about adopting a 5-year-old. One evening, Pete comes home and finds Ellie looking at an adoption agency site. Pete and Ellie go on a roller coaster-like ride when they decide to foster three siblings: Lizzy, Juan, and Lita Viara. 

POSITIVE ELEMENTS: Several scenes are heartwarming, amusing, and relaxed. Pete and Ellie share a Christmas with the three children they foster. The movie has a lot of humorous moments. We see two adoption workers handle situations well. 

SPIRITUAL ELEMENTS: We are introduced to a couple who are Christians, as they are portrayed as people who prayed on the decision to go into fostering, and they were led by God to come to the foster program and see if they can adopt. They are one of the only couples who don’t swear in the movie.

VIOLENT CONTENT: In a scene that is hard to watch, a young boy drops a nail gun on his foot, resulting in blood and a scary trip to the hospital. On two occasions, the same young boy is hit in the face with a basketball and a baseball. A couple assault a man while he works, resulting in a bloody nose and a kick to the groin. Burning down a house is mentioned. A couple have a child who threatens to slash their throats.

SEXUAL CONTENT: A couple of sexual jokes are tossed around when introducing the couples during the foster orientation. Lizzy wears tight-fitting clothes. Later, she is caught taking naked selfies in the bathroom when Ellie walks in and takes her phone away. 

LANGUAGE: The dialogue includes a LOT of swearing, taking God’s name in vain, uses of sexual and genital terms, and name-calling. The total number of swear words tallies to about 60. (Now that’s what I call foul play!)

OTHER NEGATIVE ELEMENTS: Homosexuality plays a role in this movie. A gay couple wants to adopt a child, and they are portrayed as one of the better sets of parents. The movie includes several mentions of drug use. During a Thanksgiving meal, a family is having an argument about whether or not a couple should foster or adopt children. Phrases like “damaged goods,” “crack-babies,” and other negative terms are used to describe children. In one scene two adults harass an innocent 14-year-old boy, so much so that it results in him bursting to tears. The same two people then go and assault a 22-year-old man while he is working. The two people go to jail, resulting in having the two youngest children being placed in a temporary foster home for one night. A few instances include children being present when swear words are being said. Lizzy is very disrespectful to her foster parents in a few scenes.

CONCLUSION: Few movies are about adopting or fostering children. Instant Family has elements of both worlds--props to them! Though the movie includes a lot of swearing and negative elements, the overarching plot and message it gives about how hard fostering and adopting is on a couple is the important thing. Though this movie isn’t for the entire family, it will leave you with some thought-provoking scenes, heart-wrenching moments, and an unforgettable experience.



- Mea Mose