“Yes Day” Movie Review

Written by: Isabelle Hendrich, staff writer 

*Warning: this movie review contains spoilers 

DAYTON, Tenn. — Yes Day is a PG-rated movie about two parents who agree to say yes to all that their kids ask for in one day. 

Released on March 12, 2021, Yes Day is a Netflix original starring Jennifer Garner, Edgar Ramirez, Jenna Ortega, Julian Lerner and Everly Carganilla. Garner also produced the movie. 

Yes Day begins with a synopsis of Allison Torres’ (Jennifer Garner) life, specifically highlighting how she always embraced life by saying yes. This includes marrying her husband Carlos Terres (Edgar Ramirez). 

The Torres have three children: Katie, Even and Ellie. The drama of the movie begins when Katie, who is 14, wants to go to a concert with her friends. Allison says that unless they go together, the daughter can’t go at all.

 After a parent-teacher, the kids all agree that Allison is overbearing and isn’t fun. While this may be true, Allison explains that this is because Carlos says yes more than her, and she loves and wants to protect her kids.

The family agrees to a yes day, where the kids get to decide what the family does for a whole day. The parents do set a few limitations. First, they must earn the day by doing their chores and homework. They also cannot ask for anything in the future and all three have a budget. 

Katie and Allison made a deal, which is if Allison says no at any point, Katie gets to go to the concert with her friends. If not, Allison gets to go to the concert with Katie. 

The Torres’ yes day begins with Evan waking everyone up at 6:00 am. The kids instruct their parents to go to an ice cream shop where they eat ice cream for breakfast. Next, they go through a carwash with the windows down. They then play an extravagant capture the flag game with water balloons.

Afterward, the parents let the kids go outside of their driving limits to a theme park called Magic Mountain. This is where things get out of hand. Allison tells Katie she cannot go to the concert because her friends invite several older guys. After their fight, Allison tries to win a stuffed gorilla for Katie to make it up to her. Allison and Carlos, her husband, end up being thrown in jail. While their parents are in jail, Kati goes to the concert, while Evan and Ellie throw a party in their house, inviting many other children. Evan and Ellie then wreck the house by doing a science experiment, covering the house in foam. 

The movie ends happily with Allison reconnecting with her daughter Katie by singing to her at the concert, and Katie realizes her actions were wrong. 

Carlos learns to be authoritative with his kids, shutting down the party at their house and making everyone clean it up. Although Allison and Carlos ground their kids, they learn to listen to what their kids want and the kids realize that their parents say no to protect them. 

Children obeying their parents for their own safety is a good rule that should be followed because it is biblical. Ephesians 6:1 says “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for it is right. Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise)” (ESV). 

All come to realize that there needs to be a balance of saying no and yes. The movie ends with the Torres agreeing to have many more yes days in the future while realizing that no needs to be said sometimes. 

Isabelle Hendrich is a communication major and history minor at Bryan College. Besides running, Hendrich likes to read and do crafts. She is a triplet whose siblings, Benjamin and Savannah, are also attending Bryan College.