Bo Burnham Inside – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Bo Burnham Inside

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie2021

88%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

A claustrophobic, brilliant, and deeply anxious musical descent into the madness of being online while the world is on fire.

95%

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Bo Burnham Inside

movie

2021

88%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

A claustrophobic, brilliant, and deeply anxious musical descent into the madness of being online while the world is on fire.

95%

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Screenwise Verdict

Bo Burnham's Inside is the definitive piece of pandemic-era art, but don't mistake it for a light comedy special. It is a dense, frequently hilarious, and deeply uncomfortable look at what happens when our entire existence is mediated through a screen.

For parents of older teens, this is a must-watch—ideally together. It provides a shared language for the 'weird' feeling that comes from scrolling for hours. Just be prepared for the F-bombs and the fact that you'll be humming 'Bezos I' for the next three weeks.

Age Fit

This is strictly for older teens (16+) and adults. The themes of isolation and the crushing weight of the 'content' machine require a level of maturity to process without just feeling depressed.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

It is the opposite of 'feel-good.' It is an intentional, claustrophobic look at a mental breakdown, social isolation, and the rot of digital life. While honest, it's heavy and cynical.

Imaginative

A technical and creative masterpiece. Burnham wrote, directed, shot, edited, and performed the entire thing in a single room. The lighting and visual storytelling are peerless.

Safe

Constant profanity, references to suicide (even if satirical/dark), sexual themes in songs like 'Sexting,' and an overwhelming sense of existential dread.

Enriching

It offers a profound critique of the attention economy and how being 'online' affects our brains. It's a perfect springboard for talking to teens about their relationship with their phones.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Creative masterclass in what one person can do with limited space, a few lights, and a camera.
Incredible music that parodies everything from synth-pop to Broadway while delivering biting social commentary.
A time capsule of the 2020-2021 lockdown era that feels even more relevant in 2026 as our lives move further into the 'metaverse.'
Brutal honesty about mental health that resonates deeply with older teens and young adults.

⚠

What to Watch For

The 'Funny Feeling' and 'Goodbye' segments touch on suicidal ideation and hopelessness; it's dark humor, but it hits hard if a viewer is already struggling.
'Sexting' is a full song about exactly what you think it is, including visual gags involving a phone screen.
The language is constant; every other sentence features an F-bomb or worse.

Conversation Starters

"Why does 'Welcome to the Internet' feel so much like a villain song?"
"Do you think the person Bo is on camera is the 'real' him, or is that just another performance?"
"Which part of the 'internet' description felt most like your own social media feed?"
"Does seeing someone else talk about their anxiety make you feel more or less alone in yours?"

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