PG-13

The Cure

The best cure for a disease is friendship.

1995 • 97 min • Drama · Family

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Synopsis

Erik, a loner, finds a friend in Dexter, an eleven-year-old boy with AIDS. They vow to find a cure for AIDS together and save Dexter's life in an eventful summer.

Our family guide

Best from age 12

Movie Knight Score

365 reviews

79 Audience · 365 · 100%

Two boys, one with AIDS, form an unlikely friendship and embark on a summer adventure to find a cure. Their journey strengthens their bond as they face challenges and prejudice together.

Violence & peril: 3/10
Language: 3/10
Drinking, drugs & smoking: 1/10
Romance & sensuality: 0/10
Scary moments: 4/10

Heads up

A child protagonist has AIDS, leading to sad themes.
Some bullying and difficult situations related to Dexter's illness.
Emotional ending may be upsetting for younger viewers.

What it models well

Friendship and loyalty
Compassion and empathy
Courage in the face of illness

Talk about it after

What makes a good friend, and how do Erik and Dexter show this?
How can we be understanding and supportive of people who are sick?
Discuss the outdated information about AIDS in the film vs. today's understanding.

Written by the Movie Knight editorial team for The Cure. Our own words, our own scoring — always double-check against your family's standards.