Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

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Screenwise Verdict

Let's be direct: this is not a movie for kids, and it's barely a movie for most teens. It's a documentary about suicide made by a woman trying to understand why her sister killed herself. The title tells you exactly what you're getting.

That said, for the right audience—mature older teens or adults dealing with similar issues, or those trying to understand mental illness better—this appears to be a thoughtfully made, if incredibly difficult, film. Critics loved it (100%!), but regular audiences were split (48%), which makes sense because who wants to spend 90 minutes confronting this kind of pain?

The gap between critic and audience scores is telling. This is the kind of documentary that's "important" and "well-made" but also emotionally brutal. It's not entertainment; it's more like bearing witness.

If you're considering this for a teen, they need to be 16+ minimum, emotionally mature, and ideally have a reason to watch it (processing their own experiences, studying mental health, etc.). And frankly, most adults will find this a tough sit too. Watch with intention, not casually.

Age Fit

This is strictly for mature older teens (16+) and adults who are emotionally prepared to engage with explicit content about suicide and severe mental illness. Not appropriate for anyone younger, and even at the recommended age, viewer discretion and readiness are essential.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

35

This documentary deals with severe mental illness and suicide in an unflinching way. While it approaches the subject with care and love, the emotional weight is heavy and the subject matter is inherently distressing. It's not emotionally healthy viewing for most audiences, particularly younger ones, though it does model compassion and the struggle to understand a loved one's pain.

Imaginative

60

As a documentary exploring an artist's life through her photographs and the filmmaker's personal lens, it offers a creative approach to storytelling about mental illness. The integration of Ruth Litoff's art with the narrative shows originality, though it's more observational than participatory in terms of inviting audience creativity.

Safe

25

This is definitionally unsafe content for younger viewers—it's about suicide, contains discussions of mental illness, and likely includes deeply triggering material. Common Sense Media rates it 15+, which is appropriate. The title itself is a trigger warning. This is not something that should surprise anyone, but it's heavy, potentially traumatic content that requires emotional readiness.

Enriching

70

For mature audiences ready to engage with difficult topics, this documentary offers significant insight into mental illness, grief, survivor's guilt, and the complexities of loving someone with severe depression. The 100% Rotten Tomatoes critic score and 71 Metacritic rating suggest it handles its subject with depth and skill. However, the 48% audience score indicates it's a tough watch that doesn't connect with everyone.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

100% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes suggests skilled, sensitive filmmaking about an incredibly difficult topic
Offers genuine insight into the experience of loving someone with severe mental illness and processing their suicide
Integrates the subject's own artwork and photography, giving voice to someone who struggled to be heard
Could be valuable for older teens or adults dealing with similar family experiences or trying to understand mental illness
Honest exploration of survivor's guilt and the impossibility of truly understanding another person's pain

⚠

What to Watch For

This is explicitly about suicide—the title makes that clear, but worth repeating that this is heavy, triggering content
Not remotely appropriate for children or young teens; even at 15+ this requires emotional maturity and readiness
The 48% audience score suggests many viewers found it too difficult or didn't connect with the approach
Will likely be emotionally exhausting to watch; not something to put on casually

Conversation Starters

"What do you think makes it so hard for people to talk about mental illness and suicide openly?"
"How do you think the filmmaker's relationship with her sister shaped how she told this story?"
"What support systems do you think could have helped Ruth? What about her family?"
"How can we better support people we love who are struggling with their mental health?"

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32 Pills: My Sister's Suicide