If I Tell You movie review by Movie Review Mom

MOVIE TITLE: If I Tell You

This dramatic, coming-of-age mystery movie opens in theaters on August 27, 2026

RATING: PG-13 (for mature thematic content involving assault, language, and emotional distress)

LENGTH: 1 hour 38 minutes

Movie Review Mom GRADE: B+

Featured Product About This Movie:

Closed Doors by Lisa O’Donnell (the powerful novel upon which the movie is based)

IN A NUTSHELL:

Set in a small Northern Minnesota town, this tender coming-of-age drama follows 12-year-old Michael, whose carefree adolescence is shattered when his mother comes home badly bruised and refuses to say what happened. As rumors fly, his family shuts down, and neighbors make assumptions, Michael sets out to uncover the truth as he learns heavy lessons about family secrets, morality, and what it truly means to step up as a young man.

Already, the film has been selected to show at many film festivals, winning awards such as “Best Feature” and “Best Director.” The film was directed by Tessa Blake, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Jennifer Manocherian and Lisa O’Donnell.

TIPS FOR PARENTS:

• The film deals with heavy themes involving domestic secrets, assault, trauma, and emotional distress.

• The movie illustrates the difficult decision for parents about how much to tell their children when it comes to violence, sex, and other delicate issues. As shown in the film, sometimes it’s the silence that can be even more difficult.
• We see the aftermath of two women who were beat up and raped.
• Kids talk about rape.
• We see a shirtless woman, and a covered birth of a baby.
• Some profanity, slurs, and heated adult arguments occur throughout.

• No graphic visual violence is depicted, but the aftermath of an attack and the heavy emotional burden on a family are central to the plot.

• Best suited for teens and adults; it serves as a meaningful conversation starter about breaking painful silences and standing up for loved ones.

THEMES:

• The danger of generational silence and secrets

• Integrity and standing up for truth

• Courage, empathy, and healthy masculinity

• Family healing and resilience

• Justice and mercy

THINGS I LIKED:

• Young Etienne Kellici gives a remarkably mature and sincere performance as Michael. You truly feel his confusion and determination. He has a young Aaron Eckhart look about him. Based on this performance, I’d say he has a very bright future in film if he wants one.

• Director Tessa Blake handles delicate, painful themes with deep compassion and restraint without resorting to sensationalism.

• The scenic Northern Minnesota backdrop beautifully contrasts the quiet warmth of youth with the darker adult realities below the surface.
• It’s fun to see Emmy Award-winning Carol Kane in this. She always adds a sweet touch to anything she’s in.
• Other outstanding cast members include Allison Miller, Chris Jackson (we only get to hear the Hamilton star sing a few notes), Bill Heck, and Kennedi Butler.
• The original setting of the story took place in Scotland, but in this film, it’s about an American family living in a small town in Minnesota. The scenery is beautiful, especially around the lake area.
• It’s fun to watch the young kids enjoying their childhood. It reminded me of when I was a child and could roam the neighborhoods by my house for hours with my friends without my parents having the slightest idea where we were. I loved watching the kids ride their bikes with wind in their hair: the ultimate feeling of freedom for a kid.
• We see and feel the contrast between personal freedom when the young protagonist is hanging around the lake with his friends, and the restricted information that he is so desperately trying to get and understand. I remember being a fairly young child when I finally realized that parents and other adults weren’t perfect. I was shocked, disappointed, and saddened to learn that adults don’t have everything figured out.
• We see time pass through markers of holidays, weather, and even braces on the protagonist’s suddenly showing on young Michael’s teeth.
• There is a tiny twist in Act 2. The director does a good job leading you to the same conclusion that Michael has.

THINGS I DIDN’T LIKE:

• Not everyone will enjoy watching a film with such heartbreaking heaviness.
• It’s difficult to balance the pacing of scenes of easy-breezy nostalgia of childhood with facing life’s grim challenges.
• Some viewers might feel frustrated by some of the characters’ choices.

FUNNY LINES:

• “If adults knew everything, Granny, why are they always whispering?”

• 

INTERESTING LINES:

• “Keeping a secret isn’t the same thing as protecting someone.”

• “Sometimes the hardest part of growing up is realizing the people you trust are just as scared as you are.”

• “He’s not a man; he’s a monster.” – Michael
• “When something happens to someone you love, it doesn’t just happen to that person. But it happens to all of the people that love them.” – Granny  (Carol Kane)

MOVIES LIKE THIS YOU ALSO MIGHT LIKE:

• The Florida Project

• Mud

• Stand by Me

• To Kill a Mockingbird

WATCH THE Movie Review Mom YOUTUBE REVIEW WITH THIS LINK:

Coming soon

@MovieReviewMom @TrinaBoice

Thank you so much for your financial support on Patreon!

Be sure to check out all of the gifts you can receive when you donate to Movie Review Mom on Patreon!

https://www.patreon.com/m/MovieReviewMom

Dr. Trina Boice is a university professor, author of 36 books, professional author coach, YouTuber, podcaster, film critic, and mom of 4 awesome sons.