TL;DR
The Squid and the Whale is a raw, often painful, and deeply awkward look at a family imploding in 1980s Brooklyn. It’s a masterpiece of indie cinema, but it’s a "hard R" for a reason. If your teen is asking to watch it because they saw a clip on TikTok or they’re getting into Jesse Eisenberg’s filmography, know that it features graphic language, uncomfortable sexual situations, and parents who are—to put it lightly—behaving like absolute children.
Quick Recommendations for Context:
- If they want more Noah Baumbach: Marriage Story
- If they like the "coming of age in NY" vibe: Lady Bird
- If they want a stylized version of family dysfunction: The Royal Tenenbaums
- The book the main character plagiarizes in the movie: The Catcher in the Rye
Released in 2005 and directed by Noah Baumbach, this movie is a semi-autobiographical look at his own parents' divorce. Set in Park Slope, Brooklyn, in 1986, it follows two brothers—16-year-old Walt (Jesse Eisenberg) and 12-year-old Frank (Owen Kline)—as their parents, Bernard and Joan, split up.
Bernard is a pompous, "has-been" novelist who judges everyone as either "intellectual" or a "philistine." Joan is a rising literary star who has been unfaithful. The movie isn't a "feel-good" divorce story where everyone learns a lesson and hugs at the end. It’s a gritty, grainy, handheld-camera look at how kids mirror their parents' worst traits when their world falls apart.
Ask our chatbot for a full content breakdown of the movie
We spend a lot of time worrying about "brain rot" content like Skibidi Toilet or the endless scroll of TikTok, but sometimes the "prestige" media—the stuff that wins awards at Sundance—is actually the hardest to navigate with our kids.
The Squid and the Whale is culturally significant because it changed the way movies talk about divorce. It doesn't treat the kids like victims; it treats them like participants in the mess. For a teen, watching Walt try to navigate his first girlfriend while parroting his dad’s pretentious opinions is a masterclass in "cringe" (before that was even a common term). It matters because it’s a mirror. If you have a teen who is starting to develop their own "intellectual" identity, this movie shows the danger of using culture and art as a weapon to feel superior to others.
This is not a middle-school movie. Period. Even for high schoolers, you need to know what you're getting into.
Ages 13-15: Proceed with Caution
While the younger brother in the movie is 12, the themes are very mature. There is a specific plot point involving the younger brother wiping bodily fluids on library books and school lockers as a manifestation of his trauma. It’s gross, it’s awkward, and it’s a lot to handle without a parent there to explain why he's doing it.
Ages 16-18: The "Sweet Spot" for Discussion
Older teens who are interested in film, writing, or psychology will find a lot to chew on here. At this age, they can recognize that the dad (Bernard) is a "villain" even though he thinks he’s the smartest guy in the room. It’s a great jumping-off point for talking about healthy vs. toxic relationships.
Let’s get specific. Screenwise is about no-BS, so here is what you actually need to know:
- Language: It’s constant. The F-word is used liberally, often by the kids.
- Sexual Content: There is a scene where the younger brother describes his mother's affairs in graphic detail. There is also a scene involving a "locker" that is infamous for its awkwardness and gross-out factor. There’s no nudity, but the conversations about sex are very blunt and unromanticized.
- Drug/Alcohol Use: There is social drinking and some references to the "party" lifestyle of the 80s literary scene.
- Emotional Intensity: The "joint custody" schedule is a major plot point, and the tension between the parents is palpable. If your family has gone through a divorce, this movie might be a massive trigger—or a weirdly healing "I'm not alone" moment.
If your teen watches this, don't just let them retreat to their room. This movie practically begs for a debrief. Here are a few angles:
1. The Plagiarism Subplot
Walt performs a song at a school talent show that he claims he wrote, but it’s actually "Hey You" by Pink Floyd. He wins, and he justifies it by saying he "felt" like he wrote it. This is a perfect opening to talk about AI and academic honesty. Why did Walt feel the need to steal? (Spoiler: He wanted his dad's approval).
2. "Philistines" and Intellectual Snobbery
Bernard uses his knowledge of books and film to put people down. Ask your teen: "Do you know people who act like they're better than everyone else because of the music they listen to or the games they play?" It’s a great way to talk about digital status and gatekeeping.
3. Taking Sides
The boys "split" their loyalties—Walt stays with the dad, Frank with the mom. Talk about the pressure kids feel to "pick a team" when parents fight. It’s a heavy topic, but the movie handles it with brutal honesty.
If The Squid and the Whale sparked an interest in indie dramas or family dynamics, here are some Screenwise-approved next steps:
A much "warmer" version of the complicated parent-child relationship. It’s funny, poignant, and feels very real without being quite as bleak as The Squid.
Another R-rated look at a teen (Hailee Steinfeld) who is kind of her own worst enemy. It’s great for talking about mental health and self-awareness.
If you want to see a modern version of the "awkward kid" trope, Bo Burnham’s movie is the gold standard. It deals with social media anxiety in a way that The Squid and the Whale (set in the 80s) obviously couldn't.
Since this book is a major touchstone for Walt, it’s worth a read. It’s the original "angsty teen" text.
Check out our guide on the best "Coming of Age" movies for 16+
The Squid and the Whale is a "good" movie, but it’s a "tough" watch. It’s not "brain rot"—it’s actually the opposite. It’s hyper-intellectual and deeply felt. However, it’s also a movie where the characters are frequently unlikeable.
If your teen is mature enough to handle the "cringe" and the sexual frankness, it’s a fantastic piece of art to discuss. Just don’t expect to feel "good" when the credits roll. It’s a movie that stays with you, mostly because it reminds us that our kids are always watching us—even when we’re at our worst.
- Check the WISE score: Go to the The Squid and the Whale media page to see how our community rates its educational value vs. its "yikes" factor.
- Watch the trailer together: If you're on the fence, watch the trailer with your teen. Their reaction will tell you everything you need to know about whether they're ready for the vibe.
- Set a "Post-Game" plan: Agree that if you watch it, you’re going to spend 15 minutes talking about it afterward over pizza.
Ask our chatbot for more movies like The Squid and the Whale