Story
One Direction: This is Us is the story of five boys – Niall, Liam, Zayn, Harry and Louis – who all auditioned for The X Factor TV show, but failed to win. Simon Cowell, the producer of the show, decided to put them together to form a band called One Direction. They became an overnight sensation and gained international recognition in unprecedented time.
This movie follows One Direction on a world tour of European, American and Japanese cities, where fans throng to see them everywhere they go. In scenes like those seen during the Beatles tours in the 1960s, thousands of hysterical teenage girls fill auditoriums where One Direction is playing. The group members themselves are likeable boys having the time of their lives.
Themes
Celebrity
Violence
There is some practical joking among the boys, but none of it is malicious.
Sexual references
There are some sexual references in One Direction: This is Us, including when Harry talks about his first kiss with a girl. The kiss got ‘pretty steamy’.
Alcohol, drugs and other substances
None of concern
Nudity and sexual activity
One Direction: This is Us shows some partial nudity. For example, the boys are often shown shirtless as they get dressed in dressing rooms. In one scene, they appear in boxer shorts.
Product placement
The following products are displayed or used in One Direction: This is Us: One Direction themselves, Nike and Toys R Us.
Coarse language
One Direction: This is Us has some coarse language that younger children might copy.
Ideas to discuss with your children
One Direction: This is Us is a music documentary showing how five boys from humble backgrounds have reached the highest point of stardom without seeming to be affected.
The movie features plenty of music and performances, which will certainly appeal to One Direction fans. But it’s likely to lack interest for children under five years, and there is some coarse language that young children might copy.
The main messages from this movie are to be grateful for success and to acknowledge and share that success with others.
Values in this movie that you could reinforce with your children include friendship and generosity.