Meet Christmas Flint—a name that stands out! Ever since losing her mother, Christmas has been captivated by the mysteries of outer space, including aliens, stars, and planets. Her dream? To have her voice featured on NASA’s Golden Record. To achieve this, she faces an uphill battle: she must recruit members and a leader for her Birdie troop, help each friend earn at least one badge, and come up with $500 to attend the Jamboree competition.
This is no small task. There’s a rival troop in town led by the seemingly sweet Miss Thompson (portrayed by the talented Laura Linney), whose members embody the false charm and grace expected of girls in 1970s Georgia. However, kindness is not their strong suit. One of Miss Thompson’s girls snips off one of Christmas’ braids, while the others relentlessly mock the members of Troop Zero. They are downright cruel.
‘Troop Zero’ is a touching underdog tale that resonates with families, just like it did with mine. We all found ourselves rooting for Christmas and her quirky crew—Maddie, Lila, Jake, and Sam—as they strive for success. The film touches on themes of race, class, ability, gender, teamwork, science, loss, and friendship, keeping us engaged for the entire hour and thirty-seven minutes. It’s relatable, forcing us to confront our own choices: do we blend in or stand out?
Guided by the fabulous Miss Raylee (played by the inimitable Viola Davis), an aspiring lawyer, the Birdie Troop faces its challenges. Employed by Christmas’ father (portrayed by the hilarious Mike Birbiglia), Miss Raylee becomes an unexpected mother figure for Christmas, reluctantly stepping into the leadership role while delivering plenty of sass and humor along the way. She embodies strength and a no-nonsense attitude without losing the film’s family-friendly charm.
Earning badges to qualify for the Jamboree proves to be no walk in the park. Each girl faces their own hurdles—Maddie has a nervous stomach, Christmas has unfortunate accidents, Lila is quick to anger, Jake is always ready to fight, and Sam, who loves fashion, battles stereotypes about being a “boy who likes girl things.” The film balances comedic moments—like an epic food fight—alongside heartfelt scenes where friendships deepen and bullies are put in their places.
I thoroughly enjoyed ‘Troop Zero’ as it reminded me of two of my all-time favorites: ‘The Secret Life of Bees’ and the 1990 classic ‘Now and Then.’ It strikes the perfect balance of sass and confidence, particularly during Troop Zero’s adorable Jamboree performance, without crossing the line into inappropriate territory for children.
After watching the film, my kids had questions—lots of them. The movie is set in the 1970s South but speaks volumes about the challenges faced by kids and adults today. Over bowls of popcorn, we discussed Christmas’ struggles with grief. This led to conversations about bullying and how it manifests from both kids and adults. We pondered the responsibilities of bystanders—whether to remain passive or take action. Just this week, my daughters encountered a boy on the bus making mockery of others, and we decided to bring it to the principal’s attention.
Additionally, the film sheds light on socioeconomics and privilege. While Troop Zero scrambles for funds to compete, their rival troop has resources to spare. Christmas lives in a trailer park, which comes with its own set of stereotypes.
The film also explores themes of gender diversity and inclusion. Christmas finds Miss Raylee’s eyelash curler odd and much prefers her rain boots. She faces scrutiny for her non-conformity, while her friend Sam faces ridicule for being the only boy in the troop. When Christmas’ father steps in as troop leader, he too is mocked for taking on a traditionally feminine role.
Like any feel-good family movie, ‘Troop Zero’ delivers a satisfying ending—though I won’t spoil that for you. Its messages of hope, resilience, and self-confidence tug at the heartstrings while providing plenty of laughs. A film that can make you cry one minute and giggle the next? That’s a win for everyone.
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In summary, ‘Troop Zero’ is a heartwarming tale that addresses essential themes of friendship, resilience, and individuality, making it a must-watch for families.
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