Bravetown – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Bravetown

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie2015

48%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

A troubled DJ teen overdoses, moves to Army-town dad, learns empathy—well-intentioned but critically panned indie drama.

29%

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Bravetown

movie

12, 2015

48%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

A troubled DJ teen overdoses, moves to Army-town dad, learns empathy—well-intentioned but critically panned indie drama.

29%

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Screenwise Verdict

Bravetown has its heart in the right place—a story about a kid hitting rock bottom and learning empathy through pain is valuable territory. The problem? Critics universally panned it as formulaic and heavy-handed. With a 29% on Rotten Tomatoes and a dismal 2.4/5 on Letterboxd, this is one of those indie dramas that means well but lands with a thud.

The drug overdose opening and ongoing addiction themes mean this absolutely isn't for younger teens, and even at 15+ it needs context. If your older teen is specifically interested in stories about recovery or you're looking for a conversation starter about substance abuse, it might serve a purpose. But as entertainment? There are better options. This feels like a Lifetime movie with slightly better production value—watchable if it's on, but you're not missing much if you skip it.

Age Fit

Best for mature 15-17 year olds who can handle heavy themes about addiction and family trauma. The subject matter is too intense for middle schoolers, and the melodramatic execution means it won't resonate much beyond high school unless you're really into earnest indie dramas.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

The film centers on a teen dealing with drug overdose, estrangement, and emotional pain—heavy but ultimately redemptive themes. Models empathy and personal growth through the protagonist's journey in a military community. The tone is earnest but can veer into melodrama. Deals with real-world struggles in a way that's more therapeutic than exploitative, though the subject matter is inherently dark.

Imaginative

A fairly conventional redemption arc set in a small military town. The DJ angle offers some creative texture, but the overall narrative follows predictable beats—troubled teen goes to strict environment, finds purpose, heals. No standout visual style or narrative innovation based on available info. Generic indie drama territory.

Safe

Opens with an accidental drug overdose, which is a serious trigger. Deals with substance abuse, family estrangement, and likely depicts military/PTSD themes given the Army town setting. Common Sense Media rates it 15+, suggesting mature content. No MPAA rating listed, which is unusual and suggests limited theatrical release. The themes are handled responsibly (empathy-building) but this isn't something a younger kid should stumble into.

Enriching

Tackles meaningful themes: addiction recovery, empathy, father-son reconciliation, understanding pain in others. The premise suggests genuine character growth and emotional insight. However, the critical reception is poor (29% RT critics, 36 Metacritic)—suggesting the execution is heavy-handed or clichéd. Can spark important conversations about substance abuse and mental health, but may not deliver them with finesse.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Tackles serious issues like addiction and recovery head-on, which can validate teens going through similar struggles
The empathy-building arc—learning to understand others' pain—is a solid moral framework for older teens
Military town setting offers a different backdrop than typical teen redemption stories
Could open conversations about substance abuse, mental health, and family estrangement in a manageable fictional context

⚠

What to Watch For

Opens with a drug overdose—this is the inciting incident, so it's front and center
Themes of addiction, family dysfunction, and emotional trauma throughout
Critics were harsh (29% RT)—expect melodrama and predictable beats rather than nuanced storytelling
Best watched with context-setting from a parent, not as a random Friday night pick

Conversation Starters

"What do you think made the main character turn to drugs in the first place?"
"How did living with his dad change his perspective on his own problems?"
"Do you think the movie handled addiction realistically, or did it feel too movie-ish?"
"What would you do if a friend was struggling with substance abuse?"

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