Breaking a Monster – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Breaking a Monster

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie2015

65%

WISE Score

100

Avg. Tomatometer

Three 13-year-old metalheads go viral and get chewed up by the music industry in this uncomfortable but educational documentary.

6.1/10

100%

→

Breaking a Monster

movie

NR, 2015

65%

WISE Score

100

Avg. Tomatometer

Three 13-year-old metalheads go viral and get chewed up by the music industry in this uncomfortable but educational documentary.

6.1

100%

Jump to

Also rated on

6.1/10

100%

View →

Where to Watch

Loading streaming options...

Where-to-watch data byJustWatch

Screenwise Verdict

Here's the deal: Breaking a Monster is a well-made documentary that adults and critics loved, but it's a tough sell for most kids. You're watching three talented 13-year-olds get their big break, then slowly realize the music industry is full of people who see them as products, not artists. It's educational in the way that makes you go 'oh, that's messed up' rather than 'oh, that's cool.'

The 100% critic score versus 59% audience score tells the whole story—this is important filmmaking that's not particularly fun to watch. If you've got a middle schooler interested in music, fame, or social justice, this could spark great conversations. But if you're looking for entertainment, this ain't it. It's a downer dressed up as a success story, and the documentary pacing will lose most kids within 20 minutes.

Worth watching once for the education, but nobody's rewatching this for fun.

Age Fit

Best for middle schoolers (10-14) interested in music, fame, or how industries work. Younger kids will be bored by the documentary format; older teens might appreciate the critique but won't find much new here. This is really for the sweet spot of kids old enough to understand business exploitation but young enough to still be processing what fame means.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Documentary follows three 13-year-old Black kids pursuing their metal band dream, showing genuine friendship and family support. However, the film exposes them to exploitative industry practices, manipulative managers, and adult business pressures that feel uncomfortable to watch kids navigate. The tone is observational rather than protective, which is honest but not exactly emotionally healthy viewing.

Imaginative

The premise itself—three young Black metalheads breaking genre stereotypes—is compelling and fresh. The documentary captures their creative expression through music and their journey from street performers to record deals. It invites questions about authenticity, artistry, and the music industry. However, it's a passive viewing experience that doesn't actively inspire kids to create or explore beyond watching someone else's story unfold.

Safe

Common Sense Media rates it 10+. The content includes some profanity typical of the music industry and metal genre, plus the unsettling reality of watching kids get manipulated by adult business interests. No graphic violence, sexual content, or truly shocking material, but the emotional exploitation and pressure these kids face is disturbing in its own right. Parents should know what they're getting into—this is a cautionary tale, not a feel-good story.

Enriching

This is genuinely educational about how the music industry works (and doesn't work), offering a rare behind-the-scenes look at contracts, managers, and viral fame. It prompts important conversations about exploitation, authenticity, race in alternative music, and what success actually means. The critical acclaim (100% RT critics, 72 Metacritic) reflects its value as social commentary. But it's also a bit of a downer—you're watching kids lose their innocence in real time.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Rare, honest look at how the music industry actually works—contracts, managers, viral fame, and all the messy parts most kids never see
Challenges stereotypes about who gets to play metal music, featuring three Black kids doing their thing unapologetically
Sparks meaningful conversations about authenticity, exploitation, and what 'making it' really costs
Critics loved it for good reason—it's well-made documentary filmmaking that treats its subjects with respect while showing hard truths
The kids themselves are likable and talented, making their journey genuinely compelling even when it gets uncomfortable

⚠

What to Watch For

This is a cautionary tale, not a triumph story—you'll watch these kids get manipulated by adults who see dollar signs, which feels gross
Some profanity throughout, typical of the music world but worth knowing upfront
Documentary pacing means lots of talking, contracts, business meetings—many kids will find it boring despite the 'cool' subject matter
The audience score (59%) tells you something—this plays better for adults interested in industry critique than for kids wanting entertainment

Conversation Starters

"What do you think the band should have done differently when they were offered that record deal?"
"Why do you think people were so surprised to see Black kids playing heavy metal? What does that say about stereotypes in music?"
"If you went viral tomorrow, how would you know who to trust? What would make someone a good manager versus someone just trying to use you?"
"Do you think the band 'made it' or not? What does success in music even mean?"
"Would you rather be famous but controlled by other people, or unknown but doing exactly what you want?"

Ask Anything

Get a personalized guide on any topic