Bailee Madison
Avery
Overview
Troubled teen Will Hawkins has a run-in with the law that puts him at an important crossroad: go to juvenile detention or attend a Christian summer camp. At first a fish-out-of-water, Will opens his heart, discovers love with a camp regular, and sense of belonging in the last place he expected to find it.
Cast
10 people
Reviews
5 min readFaith, Fumble, and the Faint Glow of a Campfire Musical
I’ll admit it: I went into A Week Away expecting a sermon wrapped in a Glee outtake. The premise—a troubled teen sent to a Christian summer camp, where he finds love, belonging, and presumably a few too many power ballads—sounded like the kind of film that would either preach at you or make you cringe. What I didn’t expect was how earnestly it would try to balance its faith-based messaging with the glossy, high-energy tropes of a teen musical.
Whether it succeeds depends on how much patience you have for a film that wants to be both High School Musical and God’s Not Dead, often stumbling in the space between.
The story follows Will Hawkins (Kevin G. Quinn), a foster kid with a rap sheet and a chip on his shoulder, who’s given a choice: juvenile detention or a week at Camp Aweegaway, a Christian summer camp run by the warm but no-nonsense Kristin (Sherri Shepherd). Will, being Will, chooses the camp—though “chooses” might be too strong a word.
He’s there under duress, and his default setting is sarcasm and skepticism. That is, until he meets Avery (Bailee Madison), the camp’s golden girl, who’s as devout as she is kind. Their romance unfolds with the predictability of a sunrise, but the film’s heart isn’t really in the love story.
It’s in the idea of redemption, of finding a place where you’re accepted despite your flaws. That’s a message worth exploring, even if the execution here feels like it’s been run through a teen-movie assembly line.
The film’s biggest gamble—and its most glaring weakness—is its music. A Week Away is a jukebox musical, but not in the way you might expect. Instead of repurposing existing pop hits, it leans into original songs that sound like they were written for a VeggieTales spin-off. The lyrics are painfully on-the-nose, and the melodies, while serviceable, lack the infectious energy of, say, Pitch Perfect or even Camp Rock.
There’s a moment early on where Will and Avery harmonize in a canoe, and the song is so aggressively wholesome it feels like it was written by a committee of youth pastors. That’s not to say the music is bad—it’s just not good in the way a musical needs its music to be. It doesn’t elevate the story; it just moves it along, like a placeholder for something more memorable.
Audience Opinions
Audience 6.5/10
"A feel-good Christian musical with catchy songs but a predictable plot that leans heavily on familiar tropes."
Viewers appreciate the upbeat musical numbers and the wholesome, faith-based messaging, which resonates particularly with younger audiences and families. However, the story is often criticized for being formulaic, with a plot that feels overly familiar and lacking in depth. latestnetflix.com's take is that the chemistry between the leads is a highlight, though some find the characters underdeveloped.
What viewers praise
- Catchy musical numbers The songs are energetic and well-performed, making them a standout feature of the movie.
- Wholesome and uplifting The faith-based themes and positive messaging are praised for being heartwarming and family-friendly.
- Lead chemistry Bailee Madison and Kevin Quinn have strong on-screen chemistry, which adds charm to the romantic subplot.
- Youth appeal The movie connects well with younger viewers, particularly those who enjoy musicals and faith-based stories.
Common complaints
- Predictable plot The story follows a well-worn path, with few surprises or original twists.
- Underdeveloped characters Supporting characters and even some leads lack depth, making it hard to invest in their journeys.
- Formulaic storytelling The movie relies heavily on familiar tropes, which can make it feel uninspired to some viewers.
- Limited appeal Those outside the target demographic of Christian or musical fans may find it less engaging.
Recommended for
Christian music fans Young adult audiences Family-friendly movie nights Musical enthusiasts Faith-based story lovers
Full Plot (Spoilers)
Spoiler warning
This section contains the full plot, including major story reveals. Overview above stays spoiler-free.
Buzz & Rumors
Public reportsBehind the Scenes of A Week Away: Netflix’s Faith-Based Musical Gets a Youthful Spin
Netflix’s 2021 faith-based musical A Week Away brought a fresh twist to the genre, blending teen drama with catchy original songs and a summer-camp setting. Directed by Roman White, the film follows troubled teen Will Hawkins (Kevin Quinn) as he navigates redemption, romance, and self-discovery at a Christian youth camp. latestnetflix.com's read is that but beyond its on-screen charm, the movie’s production had its own share of surprises—from casting choices to behind-the-scenes collaborations that shaped its tone.
A Star-Studded Cast with Surprising Connections
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5sEJawpdDnI
The film’s ensemble cast includes familiar faces, some of whom had unexpected ties to the project. Bailee Madison, who plays Avery, not only starred but also served as a producer—a role she discussed in a Netflix interview . Her dual involvement suggests a hands-on approach to shaping the film’s narrative and tone.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W0cg3ZDmjB0
Kevin Quinn, known for his role in Bunk’d, was a natural fit for the lead, but fans might not realize how closely his real-life persona aligns with the film’s themes. In interviews, Quinn has spoken about his own faith journey, which added authenticity to Will’s character arc . Meanwhile, Sherri Shepherd, who plays camp director Kristin, brought her signature comedic timing to the role, balancing the film’s heavier moments with levity 
.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u4pSi-vq-ss
One of the more intriguing casting notes involves the film’s younger actors. Jahbril Cook and Kat Conner Sterling, who play Will’s camp friends, had prior connections to Disney Channel projects, which may explain the movie’s polished, youthful energy . Rumor has it that some cast members were even fans of each other’s work before filming, though specifics remain unconfirmed.
Musical Numbers and a Faith-Based Twist
A Week Away stands out in the faith-based genre by incorporating original musical numbers—a rarity for films aimed at Christian audiences. The soundtrack, featuring pop-rock anthems, was designed to appeal to teens while staying true to the movie’s spiritual themes. Roman White, the director, has a background in music videos, which likely influenced the film’s vibrant, high-energy musical sequences .
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9XQ0O7lB9Mo
The movie’s ending, which wraps up Will’s journey with a mix of redemption and romance, has sparked discussions among fans. Some viewers praised its uplifting message, while others debated whether the resolution felt too neat . Regardless, the film’s blend of faith and entertainment struck a chord with audiences, particularly those looking for wholesome yet engaging content.
Why the Cast Looks Familiar
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qEQYhefVMAE
If some of the actors seem recognizable, there’s a reason. Kevin Quinn and Bailee Madison’s on-screen chemistry might remind viewers of other teen dramas, but their real-life friendship reportedly made filming smoother . Additionally, several cast members, including Quinn and Cook, had prior experience in Disney or Nickelodeon projects, which may have contributed to the film’s polished, youthful vibe .
The Verdict: A Lighthearted but Limited Hit
Despite its charm, A Week Away received mixed reviews. While some praised its heartfelt message and musical numbers, others found the plot predictable. On SensCritique, the film holds a modest 4.7/10 rating, with critics noting its formulaic structure . Still, for fans of faith-based entertainment, it offered a refreshing, modern take on the genre.
Entertainment rumors and trivia aggregated from public reporting. Treat speculation as unverified unless a cited source confirms it.