Jennifer Garner's ‘Yes Day’ Just Dropped on Netflix, But Is It Worth the Watch? Here’s My Honest Take

When I initially heard about Netflix's new comedy film, Yes Day, my first thought was: "This sounds like every parent's worst nightmare." I mean, two adults who agree to say "yes" to all of their kids' requests? For a whole 24 hours?? The whole concept sounded so foreign to me, especially since I'd grown up in such a strict household. But while I couldn't understand the reasoning behind this approach, I was still intrigued by the movie's plot.

Yes Day's two-minute trailer, which highlights a number of fun adventures, made it seem like a family-friendly version of Jim Carrey's Yes Man (which I really loved). Better yet, when I saw that Jennifer Garner, one of my favorite celebrities ever, was going to star in it, I was 100 percent sold. So I gave the film a shot, but was it worth the watch? Read on for my honest review.

At the beginning of the film, we're introduced to Allison (Garner), the spontaneous, fun-loving daredevil who practically invented fun. But after she marries her partner Carlos Torres (Édgar Ramírez) and becomes a mom of three, she does a complete 180 and in an effort to protect her kids, "no" becomes the new "yes."

Allison's rigid parenting style puts a huge damper on her relationship with the children. Meanwhile, Carlos is constantly seen as the "good guy" because of his leniency. When Allison learns that the kids see her as the ultimate fun killer, she understandably freaks out.

At the suggestion of a school guidance counselor, the couple decide to give their kids a Yes Day (well, sort of). After Allison and Carlos lay down some ground rules for safety, the family agrees that, for 24 hours, both parents will say "yes" to all of their kids' demands. Naturally, a whirlwind adventure ensues.

In addition to Garner and Ramírez, Yes Day stars Jenna Ortega as Katie Torres, Julian Lerner as Nando Torres and Everly Carganilla as Ellie Torres. Other cast members include June Diane Raphael, Nat Faxon, Fortune Feimster and Arturo Castro.

The short answer? It depends. If you like goofy, slapstick humor that caters more to younger audiences, then this movie will be right up your alley. There are some exciting, fun-filled moments and a few heartwarming scenes that speak to the importance of family, which is a major plus. But if you're partial to comedy films that offer a lot of depth and have several laugh-out-loud moments, then Yes Day might not be your cup of tea.

Personally, I really like the overall message of the film. I like that it taps into the importance of balancing family and work, and I love that it briefly addresses the downsides of “good cop, bad cop” parenting. However, it falls surprisingly short in the comedy category. Garner's character has a few chuckle-worthy moments, but Allison is no Jenna Rink. And while I did enjoy seeing the kids gleefully wreak havoc throughout the movie, it just wasn't enough to leave a lasting impression or elicit any big laughs.

As an adult, this movie is just OK. That said, it certainly will keep the younger kids entertained (FYI, aside from mild language content, there's nothing too concerning). So don't feel too guilty if the kids say "yes" to this film while you revisit 13 Going on 30 in the other room.

PUREWOW RATING: 3 STARS for effort. While Yes Day is filled with fun and charm, it's better suited for the kids than for the whole fam.

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