Balloonerism – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Balloonerism

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie2025

38%

WISE Score

Surreal art-film tribute to Mac Miller that's more existential fever dream than family viewing.

Balloonerism

movie

NR, 2025

38%

WISE Score

Surreal art-film tribute to Mac Miller that's more existential fever dream than family viewing.

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Screenwise Verdict

Let's be real: this is a niche art film for Mac Miller devotees, not a family movie night pick. The surreal premise sounds cool on paper, but without any content ratings and given Mac Miller's artistic focus on heavy themes like depression and mortality, this is almost certainly exploring dark territory.

The IMDb 6.9 and Letterboxd 4.1 suggest it's... fine? Respectable for fans but not a must-watch. And honestly, experimental short films accompanying posthumous albums are usually more about honoring the artist than creating broadly accessible entertainment.

If you're a parent whose teen loves Mac Miller and understands his story, this could be a meaningful watch together. But for everyone else? Skip it. There's virtually no enrichment value for kids, limited entertainment appeal, and you can't even find it easily. This is a "for completists only" situation.

Age Fit

This is strictly for older teens and adults (17+) who appreciate experimental art films or are Mac Miller fans. The abstract, melancholic tone and likely mature themes make it inappropriate for younger viewers.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Synopsis suggests a surreal journey through 'the underbelly of adulthood' with themes of being 'swallowed by the turtle of time' — likely explores darker, melancholic themes common to Mac Miller's work. Without clear content ratings or detailed reviews, it's difficult to assess emotional tone, but the premise suggests heavier psychological territory rather than uplifting content.

Imaginative

Highly surreal premise involving transformation via music, shadow worlds, and abstract concepts like 'the turtle of time.' The companion piece to a posthumous Mac Miller album suggests experimental, artistic vision. Letterboxd rating of 4.1/5 indicates art-house appeal. Strong marks for originality and creative expression, though execution quality is uncertain.

Safe

No content ratings available, which is a red flag. Mac Miller's work often explored themes of depression, substance use, and existential struggle. The concept of exploring 'the underbelly of adulthood' suggests potentially heavy or dark content. Without MPAA rating or detailed content warnings, this is likely not appropriate for children and may contain mature themes, drug references, or disturbing imagery.

Enriching

As an artistic companion to a posthumous album, it likely offers emotional depth and artistic merit for fans of Mac Miller's introspective work. The surreal narrative could prompt reflection on growing up and time's passage. However, limited data on actual content means unclear whether it provides meaningful takeaways beyond niche appeal. IMDb 6.9 suggests mixed reception.

Parent Info

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Why It Might Be Great

Genuinely imaginative premise with shadow worlds and abstract time concepts that feels refreshingly weird
For Mac Miller fans, this is a rare visual companion to his posthumous album — a meaningful artistic tribute
Letterboxd's 4.1/5 suggests it connects with art-house audiences who appreciate experimental storytelling
Could spark interesting conversations about grief, creativity, and how artists process difficult emotions

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What to Watch For

Zero content ratings means you're flying blind — assume mature themes given Mac Miller's artistic legacy around mental health and substance struggles
This is not a kids' film despite the whimsical title; 'underbelly of adulthood' is your clue
Extremely limited availability (only on Qello Concerts channel) means most families won't even find it
Surreal storytelling may be confusing or boring for viewers expecting conventional narrative

Conversation Starters

"What do you think 'the turtle of time' represents? Why does growing up sometimes feel like being swallowed?"
"Mac Miller struggled with a lot in his life — how do artists turn pain into something creative?"
"The film uses music to transform the characters — when has music changed how you felt or saw the world?"

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