Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

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Screenwise Verdict

Look, this is a well-intentioned, respectfully made film about real American heroes. The problem? It's borderline unwatchable.

Ninety-nine minutes of three sunburned men in a lifeboat, slowly dying of thirst, is objectively brutal viewing—and not in an edge-of-your-seat Castaway way. The 78% critic score reflects craft and respect for the source material, but that 51% audience score and 43 Metacritic are the truth: most people will find this tedious.

For a teen doing a WWII project or genuinely curious about survival at sea, there's value here. The men's ingenuity (makeshift navigation, water collection) and mutual support are admirable. But as entertainment? It's a tough sell. The confined setting, minimal dialogue, and glacial pacing make this feel much longer than 99 minutes.

If you're looking for a WWII survival story, Unbroken or even Dunkirk will hold attention better. Against the Sun is historically enriching but cinematically exhausting—a film more worthy of respect than actual viewing.

Age Fit

Best for teens 13+ interested in WWII history or survival stories, but even then, be prepared for a slow, psychologically taxing watch. Adults with patience for character-driven dramas will appreciate it more than kids.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

72

Models cooperation, resilience, and brotherhood under extreme duress. Three men supporting each other through impossible circumstances demonstrates positive values, though the survival scenario involves significant emotional distress and desperation. No gratuitous content, but the psychological strain of starvation and dehydration is present throughout.

Imaginative

38

Limited scope—three men in a lifeboat for 99 minutes. The survival scenario itself requires ingenuity (navigation, water collection), but the film's confined setting and straightforward narrative offer little visual variety or creative spark. It's a competent telling of a true story but doesn't invite exploration or inspire much curiosity beyond the historical event.

Safe

68

No gore, nudity, or graphic violence. CSM rates it 12+, which aligns with the intense survival themes—watching men slowly starve and deteriorate mentally is disturbing but not graphic. Shark encounters and physical suffering are present but handled with restraint. The psychological toll and desperation (including discussions of death) make this unsuitable for younger viewers but not shocking for teens.

Enriching

65

Based on true WWII events, offering historical insight into survival at sea and the Pacific theater. Demonstrates human endurance, navigation skills, and camaraderie. However, the narrow focus and slow pacing limit broader lessons. The 78% critic score suggests craft, but the 51% audience score and 43 Metacritic indicate it doesn't fully engage—it's educational but not particularly illuminating beyond 'survival is hard.'

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

True WWII survival story showcasing extraordinary human endurance and resourcefulness
Models cooperation and brotherhood under literally life-or-death circumstances
Teaches navigation, survival skills, and Pacific theater history without Hollywood bombast
Respectful, restrained approach to suffering—no gratuitous violence or melodrama

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What to Watch For

Extremely slow pacing—three men in a tiny boat for the entire runtime will test patience
Psychological intensity: watching men starve, hallucinate, and contemplate death is heavy
Shark threats and physical deterioration (sunburn, dehydration) are disturbing though not graphic
The 51% audience score tells the real story: critics appreciated it, regular viewers found it a slog

Conversation Starters

"What would you do first if you were stranded with no food or water?"
"How did they figure out which direction to go without GPS or maps?"
"Why do you think people can survive things like this when it seems impossible?"
"Would you rather be alone or with others in a survival situation like this?"

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