Auden West is a serious student who spends the summer before college with her father, her stepmother, and their baby in the beach town of Colby. She meets Eli, a local bike rider who stays awake at night after his close friend died. They make a list of things Auden has never tried, and their night outings bring them closer. The movie has a soft, sunny tone and follows first love, grief, and growing up. Auden also becomes close to Maggie, Leah, and Esther, who work at her stepmother’s shop. Maggie helps Auden learn to ride a bike, and the girls bring her into their parties and friendships. Esther says she is in love with a girl named Cala, and Auden challenges her father after he says women are more intuitive. Auden’s family story also shows her stepmother asking her father to share more of the work of caring for their baby.
Community feedback
Was our 25% Woke rating accurate?
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Breakdown
These are the editorial factors and ratings behind our score for Along for the Ride.
Woke representation / casting
Esther tells Auden that she is in love with a girl named Cala. Esther and Cala sing together at local parties. Esther shares these scenes with Auden’s other new friends.
15%
Woke political dialogue
Auden challenges her father when he says women are more intuitive. She tells him he would call that line lazy if he put it in a book. Victoria asks Heidi why Robert’s needs matter more than hers and praises her for saying she deserves better.
16%
Identity-driven story themes
Heidi says she has too little help while caring for the baby. Victoria tells Heidi to ask why Robert’s needs should come first. Auden calls Robert out for not trying to be a father, and the story supports Heidi’s demand for fair help.
21%
Western institutional / cultural critique
Robert puts work before caring for his baby and wife. Heidi says she has too much family work to carry alone. Victoria encourages her to ask why Robert’s needs matter more than hers. Auden later tells Robert that he failed to try as a father.
10%
Woke character or canon changes
Not relevant. Alvarez removed Auden’s older brother and made her summer choice her own.
0%
Anti-woke backlash and complaints
Not present. Public discussion focused on the teen romance and changes from the book.
0%
Creator track record context
Director Sofia Alvarez has spoken about Latino stereotypes and helped start a project for women and writers of color. Producer Bryan Unkeless praised Netflix for its diverse film slate. Producer Eric Newman has spoken about tolerance and health-focused drug policy. The other listed creators have stored scores from 15 to 40.
34%
Production
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