Dickens & Rumi
Cover of Five Feet Apart

film

Five Feet Apart

2019

Seventeen-year-old Stella spends most of her time in the hospital as a cystic fibrosis patient. Her life is full of routines, boundaries and self-control — all of which get put to the test when she meets Will, an impossibly charming teen who has the same illness. There's an instant flirtation, though restrictions dictate that they must maintain a safe distance between them. As their connection intensifies, so does the temptation to throw the rules out the window and embrace that attraction.

Ages 14+Source checked

Why this age? PG-13 teen romance with kissing, intense illness and medical danger, deaths and grief, risky behavior, surgery/transplant themes, and emotionally heavy relationship choices. This is guidance, not a safety guarantee; reading level and family context may differ.

Quick view

At a glance

Recommended age14+

Strongest cautions

  • Death of a character4/5
  • Romance4/5
  • Frightening scenes3/5

Strongest positives

  • Courage & resilience4/5
  • Kindness & empathy4/5
  • Good role models3/5

What’s in it?

Death of a character4/5
Why this rating?

Death is a central theme; a major supporting character dies, and the protagonists face the constant threat of their own mortality.

Graphic injury2/5
Why this rating?

Depicts medical equipment (G-tubes, tubes, IVs) and hospital settings, but lacks gratuitous gore.

Strong language2/5
Why this rating?

The PG-13 drama includes occasional mild profanity, but strong or frequent language is not a prominent feature.

LGBTQIA characters2/5
Why this rating?

Poe is a gay supporting character. LGBTQIA representation is present and meaningful, but it is secondary to the central heterosexual romance.

Romance4/5
Why this rating?

The central plot is a romantic relationship between teenagers, involving emotional longing, flirting, and deep affection.

Frightening scenes3/5
Why this rating?

Serious hospital danger, infection risk, a near-drowning, possible death, and fear of losing loved ones create sustained emotional tension.

Sexual content & nudity1/5
Why this rating?

Mild romantic tension and discussion of their limitations, but no sexual activity or nudity.

Alcohol or drugs1/5
Why this rating?

Focuses on medical medication usage; no recreational substance abuse.

Violence2/5
Why this rating?

Includes minor medical physical trauma and a scene involving falling through ice, but no intentional violence.

What’s good in it?

Courage & resilience4/5
Why this rating?

Characters confront chronic illness, surgery, grief, danger, and separation; some bravery is mixed with medically reckless rebellion.

Creativity & curiosity2/5
Why this rating?

Characters find creative and imaginative ways to maintain a relationship within strict medical constraints.

Diverse representation2/5
Why this rating?

Includes some diversity in the supporting cast, including an LGBTQIA character and characters of color.

Educational value2/5
Why this rating?

Provides insight into the life and daily challenges of someone living with cystic fibrosis.

Kindness & empathy4/5
Why this rating?

Friends, family, clinicians, and patients support one another through treatments, surgery, grief, and difficult decisions.

Positive messages3/5
Why this rating?

The film emphasizes love, friendship, grief, autonomy, medical responsibility, and balancing quality of life with risks to others.

Good role models3/5
Why this rating?

Characters show care, perseverance, treatment discipline, and loyalty, but also make dangerous choices that risk infection and health.

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 Five Feet Apart would you have made differently, and why?
  4. Who changed the most in Five Feet Apart, 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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