Approved for 12+

Like Arrows

When conflict, rebellion and resentment overwhelm their family, Charlie and Alice are forced to change their parenting strategy and are surprised to find effective, lifelong solutions were closer than they imagined.
4
Negative Rating
12345
SexLanguageViolenceDrugsNudityOther
10
Positive Rating
12345
FaithIntegrity

Dove Review

Scarred from a traumatic childhood, unprepared and only 20, Alice is understandably terrified when she learns that she is pregnant. Her enthusiastic boyfriend Charlie is seemingly undaunted by the task of fatherhood, while Alice is visibly concerned about becoming a mother. With a spontaneous proposal and a quickie wedding, the couple begins the lifelong journey of parenthood.

Viewers watch as Charlie and Alice navigate parenting through the course of their lives, pausing to focus on specific times in their journey. It’s clear from the start that they’re flying blind, and out of anxiety Alice decides that they need all the help they can get, which means raising their children in church. Alice quickly realizes that she is in over her head, but after five years and two children, she has no idea how to correct the issues she sees.

Meanwhile, Charlie appears distant and uninterested in his family, leaving Alice isolated and overwhelmed. As the years wax on, more children—and more issues —are added to the family’s life. They’ve already done all they could, right? Raising the kids in church and providing a nice life for them should produce happy, well-behaved children, right? Or at least that’s what they thought.

When their eldest son, Ronnie, leaves for college, Alice discovers that he has not only abandoned their shared faith, but apparently any love or respect for his parents. Kate follows in her brother’s waning footsteps, seeking attention and acting out. It is Kate’s safety that ignites a fire in Charlie. He realizes that he must take his role as father more seriously, and Alice is relieved to finally be working toward a solution.

With help from friends and their church, they embark on an intensive mission to retrain, refocus, and mend their failing family. Alice and Charlie soon realize the answer for parenting has been in front of them all along, and with humility they begin setting an example of commitment to Christ that will revolutionize their family and leave a legacy for generations to come.

First of all, let me say that this film is superb from top to bottom. Like Arrows is a powerful story which focuses on parenting, and more specifically, biblical parenting. It’s entertaining, moving, emotional and inspiring, all of those things; but it’s also packed with wisdom, examples and practical information woven into the story, which is sure to teach and encourage parents and children alike.

Immediately viewers are drawn into the plight of Alice and Charlie, this cute young couple on the cusp of parenthood. You may think, along with them, that if they’re just good people and do their best, the children will “turn out” fine. But as time goes on, their make-it-up-as-you-go parenting style proves itself ineffective when the couple sees the flaws in their children’s character and behavior.

At a loss for what to do, Charlie and Alice finally turn to the Word for answers to all of their parenting queries. Perhaps the most impactful part of the film is when mom and dad realize their priorities had been wrong the whole time, and make an effort to change. As explained in the film, it’s not enough to just teach kids about Jesus—it’s up to parents to model a relationship with Christ for their kids; to teach them to make the Lord the center of their lives, not just a part.

Parents should have a vision for their child’s life, just like a warrior aims his/her arrow at a target. Once Charlie and Alice make this radical change, viewers are treated to see the fruits of their labor—children and grandchildren who are not only well behaved but have integrity, compassion, and faith. This one parenting decision set up the entire family for a legacy of faithfulness, generations of parents and children living godly lives.

This film is so desperately needed in our world today. Young people are dealing with all sorts of issues, the family unit is eroding, and many parents struggle with knowing how to handle it all. I could go on and on, blabbering about how great this movie is, why you should see it, its spiritual value and how it impacted me personally, but instead I’m just going to say: See this movie!! You won’t regret it.

Dove Take

Like Arrows is an on-time, revolutionary call to biblical parenting. It inspires, entertains, and stirs us all to live a more Christ-centered life. Like Arrows has hit its mark and will no doubt create a ripple of lasting, positive change in families and individuals, as well as setting a standard for generations to come.

Like Arrows has been awarded the Dove-Approved Seal for Ages 12+ .

Dove Rating Details

5
Faith

A family individually and collectively decides to follow Christ.

5
Integrity

A man grabs a girl's arm and pushes her out of a car.

2
Sex

An unmarried couple is pregnant (but later marry).

0
Language

"Screwed up"; "Stupid"

0
Violence

A man grabs a girl's arm and pushes her out of a car.

1
Drugs

A mother discovers marijuana in her child's car.

0
Nudity

A woman's upper thighs are briefly seen under her skirt (she is sitting with legs uncrossed); labor and delivery of a child is shown (the baby is seen emerging from under a sheet).

1
Other

Some family drama (arguments, father yells at daughter, etc) that is later resolved.

More Information