Allyson (Sarah Drew) is a stressed-out mother on a mission. After a harrowing Mother’s Day, she needs a night out with the girls: the pastor’s wife (Patricia Heaton) and her best friend Izzy (Logan White).
However, all hopes of relaxation go out the window when they realize that her nephew Phoenix has gone missing. Their quiet night out to unplug becomes a harrowing adventure filled with tattoo parlors, car chases, and bikers galore in their search to reunite Phoenix with his mother (Abbie Cobb).
- Pastor Ray (Alex Kendrick) and Sondra (Patricia Heaton) take in their daughter’s outfit for school; Photo Courtesy of Provident Films.
A very impressed tip-of-the-pen goes to the writers for a seamless inclusion of Christ in daily life, a platform for strung-out mothers everywhere, and some insight in how to find happiness in imperfection.
Christian Worldview
These moms lead vastly different lives, so what bring them all together? They all wrestle with feelings of inadequacy and failure – yes, even the pastor’s wife. Patricia struggles with being the mother of a rebellious teen but reminds Allyson, “It’s not about God taking away all of our problems. God is with you on the good days and the bad days.”
- Allyson (Sarah Drew) and Sean (Sean Astin) rekindle their romance in the chaos; Photo Courtesy of Provident Films.
In Allyson’s attempts to handle everything on her own, does she remember to do all things knowing that God is with her? It is written in Isaiah 41:10, “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (ESV).
They are living out a mother’s worst nightmare in having a child disappear, but God does not forsake them. Help – admittedly strange help – is always there in the form of a taxi driver (David Hunt) or a biker from a tattoo parlor (Trace Adkins). Their baby-rescuing team is as endearing as it is unexpected.
See the trailer for Moms’ Night Out:
Moms’ Night Out gives mothers everywhere permission to be human. This film explores the ins and outs of life as a young Christian mother with too much on her plate, a life most mothers will relate to. The dads taking over as the moms go out will give every mom a chuckle; Allyson’s manic inner monologue will give every mom comfort, as probably every single mom has had similar – if not identical – thoughts of their own.
Thematic elements such as a car chase, mild violence, and a tattoo parlor are what bump this otherwise G-rated film to PG. Moms’ Night Out is a must-see for the whole family.
- When the Dads accidentally lose the kids, the Moms become worried; Photo Courtesy of Provident Films.
Biblical Discussion
Most people out there have probably encountered a film or two that had the potential to alienate viewers with some extreme Christian messages. Therein lies the challenge with many Christian films – talking about faith and redemption without making people feel as if they are being judged. Moms’ Night Out is a wild success in this respect.
God is discussed briefly but frequently throughout the film. He is an obvious guiding hand for many of the characters. Their faith is not a display – it’s real and surprisingly effortless, considering nothing else in their lives is effortless.
- Izzy (Andrea Logan White), Allyson (Sarah Drew), Sondra (Patricia Heaton) and Zoe (Sammi Hanratty) share good news with the search-and-rescue party; Photo Courtesy of Provident Films.
God is constantly subverting man’s expectations – having Jesus born in a manger is probably the best example any of us could think of. The writers recognize this paradox and have fun with it: holier-than-thou judgment from the pastor’s wife? Nope. Tattooed bikers as Godless heathens? Wrong again. Bones is one such biker and soothes Allyson with words his mother taught him: “Jesus will always be loving you with His arms open wide just for being you.”
- Izzy (Andrea Logan White), Allyson (Sarah Drew), Bones (Trace Adkins), Bridget (Abbie Cobb), Sondra (Patricia Heaton) and Zoe (Sammi Hanratty) cut loose in an end-credit scene; Photo Courtesy of Provident Films.
Moms’ Night Out is wholesome, family-friendly entertainment that celebrates moms for all they do. As Allyon’s husband puts it, “your work is important.” What are you getting for Mother’s Day in this movie, ladies? Validation, encouragement, acceptance, all rolled into one. Gotta say – it’s better than flowers.
Some questions to consider for the discussion of this movie:
In what ways can remembering that God is always with you alleviate a daily stressor?
Can you think of a time when God’s wisdom came to you in an unlikely place or from a surprising person?
How is it that Allyson found the peace she sought?
Want an inside look at Moms’ Night Out? Don’t miss SCH’s great interviews with the cast and crew:
‘Moms’ Night Out’ Interview with Director Jon Erwin
Patricia Heaton Interview – ‘Moms’ Night Out’
Andrea Logan White Interview – ‘Moms’ Night Out’
Kevin Downes on ‘Moms Night Out’ and a Dream Cast
Megan Rizos is a film and story enthusiast who lives in Austin, TX, with her energetic golden doodle Abby. A graduate of Baylor University, Megan was a Fulbright scholar to Spain. She works as a bilingual speech pathologist, and is currently developing a series of educational children’s adventure tales for screen and print after continuing her education in screenwriting and creative writing.
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