YES DAY – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

YES DAY

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie2021

58%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Jennifer Garner says yes to chaos in this loud, predictable family comedy that's fine for a lazy Saturday but won't blow anyone's mind.

52%

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YES DAY

movie

PG, 2021

58%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Jennifer Garner says yes to chaos in this loud, predictable family comedy that's fine for a lazy Saturday but won't blow anyone's mind.

52%

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Screenwise Verdict

Yes Day is the cinematic equivalent of a sugar rush: loud, colorful, briefly entertaining, and ultimately forgettable. The premise—overprotective parents agree to 24 hours of 'yes'—has real potential, but the movie squanders it on predictable gags and frantic pacing. Jennifer Garner is charming, the message about balance is decent, and it'll keep elementary schoolers entertained on a rainy afternoon.

But let's be real: this is not a must-watch. The humor is lowest-common-denominator (ice cream diarrhea, anyone?), the plot is paint-by-numbers, and the 'wild' moments are so tame that older kids will roll their eyes. Critics gave it a collective shrug (52% on Rotten Tomatoes, 46 on Metacritic), and audiences weren't much kinder. It's fine for what it is—a disposable Netflix family comedy—but you won't be quoting it at dinner or rewatching it next year.

If your 8-10 year old needs something to zone out to, Yes Day will do the job. Just don't expect magic.

Age Fit

Best for kids 8-12 who can handle slapstick chaos and won't try to replicate every stunt. Younger kids (6-7) might enjoy it with a parent nearby to talk through the wilder moments. Teens will likely find it too juvenile and predictable.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

A family comedy that models communication and compromise between parents and kids, with Jennifer Garner and Edgar Ramírez bringing warmth to their roles. The core message—that balance matters and 'no' can be caring—lands well. But the execution is chaotic slapstick (ice cream-induced diarrhea, water balloon wars, brief police run-ins) that leans more toward frantic than heartwarming. The film celebrates listening to each other, but the pacing is manic and the humor is often lowest-common-denominator. It's not mean-spirited, just... loud.

Imaginative

Based on Amy Krouse Rosenthal's picture book, but the film plays it safe with predictable set pieces: amusement park, water balloon fight, teen concert. The 'Yes Day' concept has real-world creative potential for families, but the movie itself doesn't explore it with much originality. The director shifts focus to the uptight parents rather than the kids' wild imaginations, making it feel more like a parental redemption arc than a true adventure. It's formulaic family-comedy territory with no surprises.

Safe

Rated PG with mild language (mostly 'butt' and potty words), no profanity, no nudity or sexual content. Violence is cartoonish (water balloons, birds pecking at dad, mock threats). Australian classification advises parental guidance for under-8s due to imitative risky behavior and very mild violence. The chaos might overwhelm sensitive younger kids, and there's a brief 'ambulance officer' threat scene that could startle. Overall, it's safe for the target demo (8+), but the slapstick and frantic energy mean it's not a gentle watch for toddlers.

Enriching

The film's thesis—that parents need to balance fun with boundaries—is solid, and it could spark real conversations about family rules and listening. But the execution is thin. The oldest daughter's 'wild side' is tame, the lessons are telegraphed, and the movie prioritizes gags over depth. It's entertaining in a popcorn-movie way, but there's not much to chew on afterward. Kids might enjoy the spectacle; parents will recognize the tropes. It's not enriching so much as it is a 90-minute distraction with a decent moral tacked on.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

The 'Yes Day' concept is genuinely fun and could inspire real-life family experiments with boundaries and adventure
Jennifer Garner and Edgar Ramírez are likable and bring warmth to roles that could've been one-note
Quick 90-minute runtime makes it an easy, low-stakes option for family movie night
Core message about balancing fun with safe limits is solid, even if the execution is meh

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What to Watch For

Chaotic slapstick (ice cream diarrhea, water balloon wars, birds attacking dad) that might be too much for sensitive or younger kids
Mild potty language ('butt') and some imitative risky behavior—worth a quick pre-watch chat about boundaries
The frantic pacing and loud humor can feel exhausting; not a gentle or quiet watch
Formulaic plot means older tweens and teens will likely find it predictable and shallow

Conversation Starters

"If we had a Yes Day, what would your three requests be? What would mine be?"
"The movie shows that sometimes 'no' is actually caring. Can you think of a time when a 'no' kept you safe or helped you?"
"Which part of the Torres family's day looked the most fun to you? Which part seemed like it went too far?"

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