Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

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Screenwise Verdict

Let's be real: this is a 2013 Canadian indie dramedy about assisted suicide that got panned by critics (31% on RT) and shrugged at by audiences. The premise—dying doctor meets manic pixie dream girl on a road trip—has potential for depth, but the execution seems to miss the mark based on reviews.

The subject matter is genuinely heavy and requires significant maturity. Suicide planning isn't something to casually throw on for movie night, even in a 'life-affirming' context. If you have a 16-17 year old who's into thoughtful indie films and you want to discuss mortality and autonomy together, maybe. But honestly? There are better films that tackle these themes with more skill.

The bigger issue is watchability: this is the kind of forgettable indie that gets lost in the streaming shuffle. The mixed reception suggests it's neither compelling enough to recommend widely nor terrible enough to be interesting. It's just... there. Available free on Tubi if you're curious, but don't feel bad about skipping this one entirely.

Age Fit

This is firmly 16+ territory due to the suicide themes and mature emotional content. Even older teens should have some emotional maturity and context before watching. Honestly, this is more of an adult indie film that happens to have a young character—not really teen-targeted content despite the road trip premise.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

58

A road trip movie pairing a dying doctor planning suicide with a troubled 22-year-old has some heartwarming moments of unlikely friendship, but the premise centers on assisted suicide and escapism rather than healthy emotional processing. The tone appears to balance dark comedy with sentiment, but the core subject matter—a terminally ill man's plan to end his life—isn't exactly modeling healthy coping or emotional wellness, even if treated sensitively.

Imaginative

52

The 'odd couple on the run' setup is a well-worn trope, though pairing a suicidal doctor with a quirky young woman adds some freshness. The 31% Rotten Tomatoes critic score and 32 Metacritic suggest the execution is fairly conventional and doesn't break new ground. The road trip framework offers some room for unexpected adventures, but reviews indicate this plays it relatively safe within indie dramedy territory.

Safe

45

Common Sense Media rates this 15+, which signals mature content. The premise involves suicide planning, a character 'on the lam,' and likely includes language, possibly substance use, and heavy emotional themes around death and terminal illness. While not gratuitously violent or sexual, the suicide ideation and likely depictions of a doctor's end-of-life planning make this inappropriate for younger viewers and potentially triggering even for teens without proper context.

Enriching

62

The film tackles weighty themes: mortality, autonomy, finding connection in unexpected places, and living fully before death. The intergenerational friendship could offer perspective on life's value and human connection. However, the mixed critical reception (31% critics, 63% audience) suggests the execution may be uneven, with meaningful themes not fully realized. The 6.7 IMDb and 3.4 Letterboxd ratings indicate it's watchable but not particularly profound or memorable.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Explores big questions about death, autonomy, and what makes life worth living—heavy but potentially meaningful for mature teens
The unlikely friendship between generations could spark conversations about connection and empathy across age gaps
Audience score (63%) significantly higher than critics suggests it resonates emotionally even if imperfectly executed
Available free on multiple platforms (Tubi, Plex) makes it accessible if you want to check it out

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What to Watch For

Suicide ideation and planning is central to the plot—absolutely not appropriate for younger teens or anyone struggling with mental health
The 'quirky girl saves sad man' dynamic can feel tired and potentially problematic depending on execution
2013 indie dramedy pacing and style may feel dated and slow to teens used to modern streaming content
Mixed critical reception means this could land as either touching or maudlin depending on your tolerance for sentiment

Conversation Starters

"What do you think about the doctor's choice to plan his own death? How would you feel in his situation?"
"Dylan seems pretty chaotic—do you think she's running from something or toward something?"
"Have you ever had an unexpected friendship with someone really different from you? What did you learn?"
"The movie asks whether it's better to live a short, full life or a long, empty one—what do you think?"

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