Is 'Blast' too intense for a 12-year-old?

Most likely, yes. The 15+ rating and the theme of a family becoming 'the most dangerous obstacle' suggests a level of psychological and physical intensity that usually overwhelms younger viewers.

Is there a lot of gore, or is it just action?

While the focus is on tactical training and 'dangerous obstacles,' films with this rating often include realistic injury detail. It's more 'gritty thriller' than 'slasher movie,' but it won't be bloodless.

Does the movie have a positive message about family?

It seems to be more of a cautionary tale. It explores how secrets and specialized lifestyles can isolate a family and turn them against their original values. It’s a great 'what NOT to do' conversation starter.

Are there any surprise trigger warnings parents should know?

The central theme is family betrayal. If your family has dealt with high-conflict dynamics or separation, the scenes of a family unit weaponizing their skills against one another could be particularly triggering.

Blast – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Blast

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie2026

74%

WISE Score

A high-stakes thriller where a family of elite protectors becomes the very threat they were built to stop.

Blast

movie

U/A 16+, 2026

74%

WISE Score

A high-stakes thriller where a family of elite protectors becomes the very threat they were built to stop.

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Screenwise Verdict

Blast looks like a gripping, high-concept thriller that trades on the unique tension of a family turning against the world—or each other. It’s not your standard popcorn flick; it’s a darker look at what happens when the people meant to keep us safe become the biggest problem in the room.

If your teen is into tactical action and doesn't mind a story that gets uncomfortable, this is a strong pick. Just don't go in expecting a heartwarming tale of family unity—this is about the breakdown of that unit into something much more dangerous.

Age Fit

This is firmly for the 14+ crowd. Between the 15+ age signal and the dark 'protector-turned-predator' theme, it is likely too intense and psychologically heavy for middle-schoolers.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

The premise centers on a family unit, which usually brings strong relational dynamics, but the 'dangerous obstacle' flip suggests significant conflict, betrayal, and high-stakes tension that moves away from traditional wholesome vibes.

Imaginative

A family of trained protectors turning into the antagonists is a sharp, high-concept hook that promises clever action sequences and a subversion of the typical hero narrative.

Safe

With a Common Sense Media age rating of 15 and a plot involving 'dangerous obstacles,' expect high-intensity violence, psychological pressure, and potentially lethal family infighting.

Enriching

The film looks set to explore the corrupting nature of power and the complexity of loyalty, offering more than just explosions for a teen audience capable of handling the moral grey areas.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Subverts the hero trope by making the 'good guys' the primary threat to the story.
Strong ensemble potential focusing on a family trained in elite protection tactics.
High IMDb scores suggest the execution matches the ambitious premise for those who enjoy tension-heavy cinema.
Moral complexity that goes beyond simple good vs. evil, forcing the audience to question loyalty.

⚠

What to Watch For

The 15+ age rating isn't a suggestion; the 'dangerous obstacle' part of the synopsis implies the family uses their lethal training against others.
Heavy themes of familial betrayal could be genuinely upsetting for younger viewers or those sensitive to domestic conflict.
Expect intense combat sequences that lean into the family's professional training rather than cartoonish action.

Conversation Starters

"When does the desire to protect someone turn into a way of controlling them?"
"If you were trained to be a weapon, is it even possible to just be a normal family?"
"Which family member do you think would be the first to realize they've become the 'bad guys'?"
"Do you think the family is doing what they think is right, or have they just lost their way?"

Deep Dive

The 'Protector' Flip

Most action movies about elite families—think The Incredibles or Spy Kids—are about coming together to save the world. Blast takes that DNA and mutates it. By 2026 standards, the 'hero family' trope is well-worn, so seeing a film lean into the idea that specialized training makes you a liability rather than just a savior is a fresh move.

With an IMDb rating of 7.8, it’s clear the movie is resonating with audiences who want a bit more grit and a bit less predictable heroism. The Letterboxd score of 3.3 suggests it might be a bit polarizing for the cinephile crowd—likely because it's intense and perhaps a bit cynical—but for a weekend watch with an older teen, that's often where the best post-movie discussions happen.

Tactical Tension

Because the synopsis highlights their training, expect the action to be 'pro.' This isn't brawling; it's calculated. For parents, the 'watch-for' here isn't just the violence, but the way that violence is framed as a professional skill. It’s a great entry point into talking about the ethics of power and how easily 'protecting the powerless' can become a justification for some pretty dark behavior. If your kid liked the moral ambiguity of later Hunger Games entries or the tactical focus of John Wick, Blast will likely land right in their strike zone.

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