Is The Confirmation suitable for an 8-year-old?

Not ideally. While the main character Anthony is eight years old in the film, the quiet pacing, frank depictions of alcoholism, profanity, and adult moral dilemmas make it a much better fit for kids ages 11 and up.

Does the movie feature heavy drinking or violence?

There is no major physical violence or gore, but alcoholism is a central theme. The father struggles with sobriety, drinks on screen, and leaves his son unattended outside a bar at one point.

Is this a faith-based religious movie?

No. Although the title references the Catholic sacrament of Confirmation, the film is an indie character drama rather than a faith-based movie. Religious traditions serve as a backdrop for a broader story about personal honesty and family relationships.

Is the film fast-paced or tense?

No. It is a slow, observational comedy-drama. The mystery of who stole the toolbox serves mainly as a reason for the father and son to spend time together and talk.

The Confirmation – WISE Score & Parent Review

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

Where to Watch

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Screenwise Verdict

Written and directed by Bob Nelson (writer of Nebraska), The Confirmation is a small-scale indie about a low-stakes quest: a down-on-his-luck contractor and his son tracking down a stolen set of carpentry tools over a single weekend. It is warm and observant, but it does not gloss over the dad's alcoholism or the tension of his ex-wife's new life.

For tweens around 11 or 12, it offers a surprisingly realistic look at how adults can be flawed without being bad people. The storytelling is relaxed and atmospheric rather than action-packed, so frame expectations around a character piece rather than a thrill ride.

If your family appreciates understated, human-scale stories about truth, integrity, and messy parenting, this is a solid weekend watch—just know that younger kids will likely find the pacing too slow.

Age Fit

Best for middle schoolers and up (around 11–12+) who can follow a deliberate, character-driven story about complicated adults and ethical gray areas.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

62

Deals frankly with alcoholism, divorce, and petty dishonesty, though the core intent is a loving father-son bond.

Imaginative

45

A grounded, low-key realistic drama focused on everyday suburban life and working-class struggles.

Safe

68

Includes mild profanity, adult themes surrounding addiction and marital separation, and light rule-breaking, but lacks explicit violence or sexual content.

Enriching

72

Offers thoughtful exploration of personal integrity, forgiveness, faith, and seeing parents as flawed human beings.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Grounded lead performances: Clive Owen and Jaeden Martell bring authentic, understated chemistry to an awkward father-son dynamic.
Nuanced moral gray areas: Explores questions of honesty, ethics, and faith without turning into a preachy sermon.
Humor in the awkwardness: Features quiet, observational comedy rooted in real-world human missteps rather than loud gags.

⚠

What to Watch For

Alcoholism and relapse: The father struggles visibly with sobriety, leaving his son in uncomfortable situations like waiting outside a bar.
Bending the rules: To find the stolen tools, the father and son resort to lying, trespassing, and mild intimidation.
Slow pacing: It relies heavily on quiet conversation and low-stakes detective work, which may test the patience of viewers expecting a fast heist movie.

Conversation Starters

"Walt bends the rules several times to locate his stolen tools. Where do you draw the line between right and wrong when you feel wronged?"
"How does Anthony's perception of his father change from Friday night to Sunday evening?"
"The movie touches on Catholic confirmation and confessing sins. What do you think the idea of 'confirmation' meant to Anthony by the end?"

Deep Dive

A Quiet Look at Moral Gray Areas

The Confirmation avoids flashy plot twists or tearjerker dramatics. Instead, it plays out like an expanded short story about a boy named Anthony (Jaeden Martell) spending two days with his estranged father Walt (Clive Owen), who is wrestling with sobriety, unemployment, and lack of direction. When Walt's locked toolbox gets stolen from his truck—endangering a job lined up for Monday—the pair embark on a low-key search across their working-class town.

What makes the film work for middle schoolers is its refusal to turn adult struggles into simple villainy. Walt is not a deadbeat trope; he is a decent man making poor choices while trying hard to earn his son's respect. Anthony is an observant kid coming to terms with the fact that adults do not have everything figured out.

"The movie handles faith, sin, and responsibility without preaching, making Anthony's upcoming Catholic confirmation feel less like a religious hoop and more like an open question about what kind of person he wants to be."

How to Watch It Together

Because the film hinges on small ethical choices—whether to break a lock, lie to an acquaintance, or hide a lapse in sobriety—it acts as a natural conversational bridge for parents and tweens. It fits well if you are looking to move past polished studio films toward stories that reflect messy, real-world morality.

What Parents Ask

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