Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul Christian Movie Review (2017)

Guidance: Talk Together

This family road-trip comedy appears lighter in surface content, but its central setup revolves around Greg trying to derail a family obligation for his own plans. For many Christian families, the bigger issue is less the comedy itself and more the attitude toward parents, honesty, and self-centered decision-making.

Why This Guidance Level

The main concern here is the film’s moral posture, not heavy content. The story is built around Greg’s scheme to redirect a family trip for his own desires, which raises clear discussion points about deception, honoring parents, and putting self before family. Surface content appears fairly mild, but the attitude underneath the comedy may be worth talking through with children.

Faith & Worldview Perspective

The film centers on a familiar family-comedy tension: a child wants his own plans badly enough to manipulate a family event. That setup can open useful conversations about selfish ambition, honesty, and respect for parents. Scripture calls children to honor father and mother and warns against deceitful self-seeking. Parents may want to discuss how following Jesus Christ shapes our choices when personal wants clash with family responsibilities.

Truths Reflected

• Family commitments matter and should not be treated as disposable.
• Choices have consequences, especially when they are driven by selfish motives.

Tensions to Discuss

• The story’s comic engine is Greg’s deception and rebellion against parental direction, which may normalize dishonesty for personal gain.
• Personal desire is placed in conflict with family duty, and Christian parents may want to discuss why honoring others matters more than getting our own way.

Content & Discernment Markers

Occult & Spiritual Content

• Occult material does not stand out here. The story is framed as a family road-trip comedy rather than a spiritually themed fantasy.

Sexuality & Relationships

• Sexual content is not a meaningful issue in this film based on the available story setup.

Identity Themes

• Identity-focused themes do not appear central. The main conflict is about selfish ambition versus family responsibility, not questions of personal identity.

Violence & Intensity

• The road trip goes ‘hilariously off course,’ suggesting comic mishaps and family-adventure peril rather than intense violence. Parents may want to discuss the difference between laughing at chaos and learning from poor choices.

Language & Humour

• The film is presented as broad family comedy, so parents should expect some rude humor or teasing common to this franchise style, but stronger profanity does not stand out from the the film.

Other Content Notes

• The central plot is Greg’s scheme to get to a video gaming convention while the family is traveling to Meemaw’s 90th birthday. That matters for Christian families because the comedy is built on deception, self-interest, and resistance to parental authority. Parents may want to discuss why honesty and honoring family matter even when a child feels disappointed.
• The trip’s purpose is a family celebration for an elderly relative, yet Greg’s personal goal threatens to derail it. This creates a useful contrast between serving family and chasing what we want most in the moment.

Notable Moments

• Road trip setup: The Heffley family sets out on a trip to attend Meemaw’s 90th birthday, establishing family obligation as the backdrop for the story.
• Greg’s scheme: Greg’s plan to reach a video gaming convention becomes the central source of conflict and comedy.
• Plans derailed: The family trip goes off course because of Greg’s self-driven agenda, highlighting consequences tied to deception and misplaced priorities.

Discussion Prompts

• Honoring parents: When Greg wants something badly, how does that affect the way he treats his family’s plans? What would honoring parents look like in that situation?
  • Biblical guidance: God calls children to honor father and mother, even when they feel frustrated or disappointed.
  • Scripture: Exodus 20:12, Ephesians 6:1-3
• Selfish ambition and honesty: Why is it tempting to hide the truth when we think it will help us get what we want? What does Jesus call us to do instead?
  • Biblical guidance: Scripture warns against selfish ambition and calls believers to truthfulness.
  • Scripture: Philippians 2:3-4, Colossians 3:9
• Family responsibility: Why might attending a family celebration matter more than chasing a personal event? How can love show up in small sacrifices?
  • Biblical guidance: Christians are called to look to the interests of others, not only their own.
  • Scripture: Philippians 2:4, Romans 12:10
• Consequences of choices: How can one selfish choice create trouble for many people? Have you seen that happen in real life?
  • Biblical guidance: Our choices bear fruit, and wisdom means thinking beyond the moment.
  • Scripture: Galatians 6:7, Proverbs 12:15