Bridge of Spies – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Bridge of Spies

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie2015

68%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Spielberg + Hanks deliver a talky Cold War drama about doing the right thing—enriching but requires patience from modern viewers.

7.6/10

91%

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Bridge of Spies

movie

PG-13, 2015

68%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Spielberg + Hanks deliver a talky Cold War drama about doing the right thing—enriching but requires patience from modern viewers.

7.6

91%

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Screenwise Verdict

Bridge of Spies is genuinely excellent filmmaking with important lessons about integrity, justice, and moral courage. The problem? It's a 2+ hour talky procedural that will bore the living daylights out of most modern kids.

If you have a teen who's into history, debate team, or just thoughtful dramas, this is gold. Hanks is perfect, the moral questions are real, and the history lesson is valuable. But let's be honest: most kids will find this slower than watching paint dry in a Cold War bunker.

The WISE score reflects this reality—it's wholesome, safe, and incredibly enriching, but the entertainment factor for modern audiences (especially younger ones) is limited. Don't force this on a 13-year-old who wants action. Save it for the right kid at the right moment, maybe when they're studying Cold War history or you're having conversations about standing up for unpopular positions.

It's a great movie. It's just not a great movie for most kids in 2025.

Age Fit

Best for 13+ with genuine interest in history or mature 11-12 year olds who can handle slow pacing and complex themes. This is not for kids who need action—it's for the young history buff or the kid who loved Hidden Figures.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Spielberg's Cold War drama models integrity, moral courage, and principled behavior under pressure. Tom Hanks' insurance lawyer character demonstrates kindness, fairness, and standing up for what's right even when unpopular. The pacing is deliberate and thoughtful rather than chaotic, with emotionally mature handling of complex ethical dilemmas. Some tension and period-appropriate prejudice shown but contextualized appropriately.

Imaginative

Solid historical storytelling with attention to Cold War atmosphere and period detail, but this is a straightforward procedural drama rather than something that sparks creative thinking or exploration. It's well-crafted but conventional in structure—more about recreating history than inviting imaginative engagement. The espionage elements provide some intrigue but it's grounded realism, not flights of fancy.

Safe

PG-13 appropriate with minimal concerning content. Some violence (spy plane shot down, brief scenes of people killed/injured, tense moments) but nothing graphic or gratuitous. No sexual content, minimal language. The main safety consideration is the Cold War tension and some scenes showing prejudice/hostility toward the Soviet spy that younger viewers might find unsettling. Common Sense Media rates it 13+, which aligns well. No surprise traumatic content, but definitely requires some maturity to process the themes.

Enriching

Exceptionally enriching for the right age group. Teaches real history (U-2 incident, Cold War tensions, spy exchanges), explores complex ethical questions about justice and due process, demonstrates moral courage and standing by principles under social pressure. Shows nuanced diplomacy and negotiation. Strong critical acclaim (91% RT critics, 81 Metacritic) reflects its substance. Hanks delivers a masterclass in quiet integrity. This is educational without being preachy.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Tom Hanks models genuine moral courage and integrity without being preachy—standing up for an unpopular Soviet spy's right to fair treatment
Real history lesson about Cold War tensions, espionage, and the U-2 incident that's more engaging than a textbook
Shows nuanced diplomacy and negotiation skills in action—great for kids interested in how things actually get done
Raises genuinely interesting ethical questions about justice, due process, and treating enemies with dignity
Spielberg craftsmanship means it's beautifully made even if it's not exactly edge-of-your-seat thrilling

⚠

What to Watch For

This is a dialogue-heavy, slow-burn procedural—kids raised on Marvel pacing may tap out hard
Some Cold War violence (plane shot down, people killed) and scenes of hostility/prejudice that need context
The whole thing hinges on understanding why due process matters even for enemies—younger kids won't get it
It's 2 hours and 22 minutes of mostly talking in rooms and walking through Berlin—be realistic about attention spans

Conversation Starters

"Why do you think people were so angry that the lawyer defended the Soviet spy? Was he right to do it anyway?"
"If someone from another country did something against America, should they still get a fair trial? Why or why not?"
"What would you have done if you were the lawyer and everyone hated you for your case?"
"How did the Cold War seem different from conflicts today? What was similar?"
"The movie shows negotiation instead of fighting—when is talking better than other options?"

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