Story

Jess Walker (Jennifer Garner) and Bill Walker (Ed Helms) are worried about losing connection with their teenage kids, Wyatt (Brady Noon) and CC (Emma Myers). But the night before Bill’s chance at a record deal, Jess’s big promotion, Wyatt’s college interview, and CC’s soccer tryout, the family experience an unexpected twist.

After a strange encounter with an astrological reader, the family wake up to find themselves in each other's bodies. Now, with their lives literally switched, the Walkers must work together to navigate their swapped identities and make it through the most important day of their lives. As they do, they discover new understandings and appreciation for one another along the way.

Themes

Bullying; sexual innuendo; family angst; sacrificing dreams; magic

Violence

Family Switch has some violence. For example:

• Wyatt is pushed to the ground by bullies.
• Bill, in Wyatt’s body, head-butts a bully who is about to punch him.
• Traffic scenes feature reckless driving where car doors are smashed off the sides by different vehicles.
• The entire family falls off a stargazing podium, crashing to the ground and breaking a telescope.
• Wyatt is yelled at by bullies.
• A man is kneed in the groin by a woman.

Sexual references

Family Switch has some sexual references. For example:

• A mean kid points to Wyatt and says, ‘dude this guy’s tryna’ creep’, as his ‘crush’ walks by in the hallway.
• A school mum, Carrie, talking to Jess says, ‘I tried that thing with my husband you suggested from college’, and makes slapping and sexual hand motions in the background.

Alcohol, drugs and other substances

Family Switch has some substance use. For example:

• A teen party takes place where teens are seen drinking from red plastic cups, however, it’s not specified what they’re drinking.
• After the body switch happens CC, now in Jess’ body, tries wine for the first time and then spits it out.
• A group of mums at a ‘Girl’s Night’ are drinking wine.

Nudity and sexual activity

Family Switch has some nudity and sexual activity. For example:

• CC and Wyatt have to force a kiss at a certain point in the movie because they are in their parents’ bodies.
• Jess and Bill share a kiss before bed at the start of the movie.
• Wyatt and Ariana share a kiss toward the end of the movie.

Product placement

Family Switch has some product placement. For example:

• Tillamook Ice-Cream
• Topo Chico Water
• Voss Water
• Pokemon Cards
• Pepto Bismal
• Olipop Soda cans
• Nike soccer ball, shoes and bag
• Microsoft tablets
• Lyft app and Lyft scooters
• Apple iPads, iPhones and iMacs.

Coarse language

Family Switch has some coarse language – for example, ‘damn’, ‘hell’, ‘pee’, and ‘sexy mother’. Insults include ‘dork’, ‘nerd’, ‘geek’, ‘hag’, and ‘loser’. Crude behaviour includes a dog repeatedly peeing on a Christmas tree, a dog sitting on a baby potty, and CC, in Jess’s body, burping and farting.

Ideas to discuss with your children

Family Switch is a heart-warming comedy. Empathy, unity and self-discovery play a major role and the use of humour and resilience shows how the characters learn valuable lessons about each other, and about identity, communication and the importance of staying connected as they each grow and change. Due to mild crude humour and violence, the movie is best suited for families with children aged 13 years and above, with parental guidance is recommended for ages 8 to 12.

These are the main messages from Family Switch:

• It’s important to be respectful of other people.
• Everybody has difficulties in their lives. And everybody deals with them in different ways.
• Strong and positive family relationships are important for children’s wellbeing.
• Bullying is never okay.

Values in Family Switch that you could reinforce with your children are empathy, communication, unity, resilience, responsibility, friendship, family, kindness, teamwork and family appreciation.

Family Switch could also give you the chance to talk with your children about real-life issues like these:

• The consequences of bullying.
• The importance of respect and safety.
• The implications of drinking and partying.
• Sexual innuendo and the pressures surrounding romance.