Dickens & Rumi
Cover of Better Days

film

Better Days

2019

A bullied teenage girl forms an unlikely friendship with a mysterious young man who protects her from her assailants, while she copes with the pressures of her final examinations.

Ages 16+Source checked

Why this age? Severe bullying, suicide-related distress, sexual-assault themes, crime, violence, and tragic consequences require substantial emotional maturity, despite the film’s hopeful elements. This is guidance, not a safety guarantee; reading level and family context may differ.

Quick view

At a glance

Recommended age16+

Strongest cautions

  • Death of a character4/5
  • Frightening scenes4/5
  • Violence4/5

Strongest positives

  • Courage & resilience4/5
  • Kindness & empathy4/5
  • Positive messages4/5

What’s in it?

Death of a character4/5
Why this rating?

Death and the possibility of lethal consequences are important to the tragic crime narrative and affect the main characters deeply.

Graphic injury2/5
Why this rating?

Some images of physical injuries, bruising, and bloody faces following bullying incidents.

Strong language2/5
Why this rating?

Occasional aggressive and derogatory language used by bullies.

Romance3/5
Why this rating?

A central protective friendship develops romantic feeling amid a serious, emotionally tragic story.

Frightening scenes4/5
Why this rating?

Threatening bullying, pursuit, intimidation, and danger to vulnerable teenagers create sustained distress and tension.

Sexual content & nudity3/5
Why this rating?

Sexual-assault threats and coercive behavior are distressing themes, but the available evidence does not indicate graphic or explicit sexual depiction.

Alcohol or drugs2/5
Why this rating?

Smoking appears occasionally in the street-level storyline; no stronger or more pervasive substance use is established here.

Violence4/5
Why this rating?

Repeated bullying, assaults, threats, fights, and criminal violence are central; some scenes are intense and realistic.

What’s good in it?

Courage & resilience4/5
Why this rating?

The protagonists face bullying, fear, injustice, and hardship with loyalty and determination, though some actions are risky.

Creativity & curiosity2/5
Why this rating?

The film uses thoughtful visual and emotional storytelling, but imaginative or inventive problem-solving is not a central focus.

Diverse representation2/5
Why this rating?

Focused on a specific Chinese cultural context with realistic character development.

Educational value1/5
Why this rating?

Academic pressure and social issues are explored, but teaching factual knowledge is not the film’s primary purpose.

Kindness & empathy4/5
Why this rating?

Empathy and mutual protection provide the emotional core, contrasting with sustained cruelty and institutional failure.

Positive messages4/5
Why this rating?

The film condemns bullying and indifference while emphasizing protection, perseverance, responsibility, and the serious cost of abuse.

Good role models3/5
Why this rating?

Characters show loyalty and courage, but some protective choices involve crime, secrecy, and dangerous self-sacrifice.

Family discussion

Talk about it

Conversation starters based on this title’s published content notes.

  1. What did courage look like in this story? Was being brave always the same as being fearless?
  2. How did the story approach death or loss? What helped the characters cope?
  3. Which choice in Better Days would you have made differently, and why?
  4. Who changed the most in Better Days, and what caused that change?
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These content notes are a starting point, not a guarantee. Review the evidence and use your own judgment before choosing a title.

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