Is there a lot of violence in the movie?

The violence is mostly off-screen or the result of accidents (like land mines). However, the threat of violence is constant, and one character's death is a major plot point that deals heavily with grief.

Will my kid understand the religious context?

The movie does a good job of showing the tension between the Christian and Muslim neighbors without requiring a PhD in history. A quick 5-minute chat about the Lebanese Civil War before starting would be helpful context, though.

Are there any 'adult' scenes to worry about?

There's a scene where the women hire 'entertainers' (dancers) to distract the men, and some references to baking hashish into cookies to keep the men calm. It's handled comedically and fits the PG-13 vibe.

Why is it called 'Where Do We Go Now?'

The title comes from the final scene of the movie, where the characters (and the audience) are left wondering what the next step for peace actually looks like. It’s meant to be a conversation starter.

Where Do We Go Now? – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Where Do We Go Now?

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie2011Drama, Comedy

84%

WISE Score

Lebanese village women use everything from fake miracles to Ukrainian showgirls to trick their hot-headed husbands out of starting a religious war.

7.4

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Where Do We Go Now?

movie

2011, Drama, Comedy

84%

WISE Score

Lebanese village women use everything from fake miracles to Ukrainian showgirls to trick their hot-headed husbands out of starting a religious war.

7.4

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7.4

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Screenwise Verdict

If you're looking for a film that manages to be both heartbreaking and hilarious, this is it. It’s a beautifully shot, satirical look at the lengths people will go to for peace, focusing on a group of Lebanese women who have simply had enough of their husbands’ religious posturing.

It isn't a 'kids' movie' in the traditional sense—it's subtitled and deals with the fallout of war—but for a teenager, it’s a fantastic piece of media that feels vital and human. It swaps the usual grit of war movies for a clever, community-focused fable that stays with you long after the credits roll.

Age Fit

Best for ages 13 and up. While it’s a comedy, the context of the Lebanese Civil War and the themes of religious violence require a level of maturity. It's a perfect pick for a teen who is starting to get curious about world history and global cinema.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

The film is a masterclass in community cooperation, showing women from different religious backgrounds working together to prevent violence and protect their families.

Imaginative

The plot centers on the creative, often hilarious, and increasingly absurd schemes the women concoct to distract the men from sectarian conflict.

Safe

While the tone is often comedic, the backdrop is a real civil war. There are mentions of land mines, some grief-heavy scenes involving death, and mature themes regarding religious tension and sabotage.

Enriching

It offers a profound look at the absurdity of war and the power of empathy. It’s an excellent gateway into discussing Middle Eastern history and religious tolerance.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Brilliant satire that uses humor to tackle the deeply serious topic of religious sectarianism without being preachy.
Strong female leads who are the proactive problem-solvers of the story, using their wits and community bonds to maintain peace.
Cultural immersion that provides a vivid, humanizing look at life in a Lebanese village, moving past standard news headlines.
Musical elements and a gorgeous score that lighten the heavier moments and make the film feel like a modern fable.

⚠

What to Watch For

A subplot involves a son being killed by a stray bullet outside the village; his mother's grief and her attempt to hide his death from the men is the film's most intense emotional beat.
The village is surrounded by land mines, which are shown as a constant, lethal threat to anyone trying to leave or enter.
There are references to hashish-laced cookies and hiring 'dancers' as part of the women's plan to distract the men.
The dialogue is in Arabic with subtitles, which might be a barrier for younger viewers or those who aren't used to reading while watching.

Conversation Starters

"Why do you think the women felt they had to resort to trickery to keep the peace?"
"Can humor actually be a tool to stop people from fighting, or was it just a temporary fix in the movie?"
"How did the village women show that their friendship was stronger than their religious differences?"
"What was the most creative 'distraction' the women used, and why did it work on the men?"

Deep Dive

The Absurdity of War

Directed by Nadine Labaki, Where Do We Go Now? occupies a unique space in international cinema. It’s a film about a religious divide—specifically between Christians and Muslims in a tiny Lebanese village—but it treats the men's desire to fight as a sort of ridiculous fever that only the women can break. The village itself is a character, isolated by land mines and a crumbling bridge, creating a pressure cooker where the smallest slight can spark a riot.

More Than Just a Comedy

While the movie is often marketed as a comedy, and there are genuinely funny sequences involving sabotaged televisions and fake miracles, it doesn't shy away from the cost of conflict. The stakes are grounded by a mother’s desperate attempt to hide the death of her son, knowing that if the men find out he was killed by a rival faction, the village will descend into a bloodbath. It’s this balance of slapstick and tragedy that makes the film so effective.

For a family watch, this is a great alternative to the standard Hollywood historical drama. It invites conversation about the geography of the Middle East, the history of Lebanon, and the universal experience of mothers trying to protect their children from the cycles of violence. Just be prepared to discuss the ending—it’s a literal and metaphorical question that the movie asks the audience as much as the characters.

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