Is this a documentary or a scripted movie?

It's a scripted drama (a biopic) that uses actors to recreate real events. While it uses some archival footage of the era, the main action is performed by Kerry Washington and Wendell Pierce.

How graphic are the descriptions of harassment?

They are quite specific, as they are based on the actual Senate testimony. The movie includes verbal references to anatomical parts and specific inappropriate behaviors, which is why it carries a TV-MA rating.

Does the movie take a side between Thomas and Hill?

The film leans toward Hill's perspective by centering her experience and showing the pressure she was under, but it also gives space to Thomas's defense and his 'high-tech lynching' argument. It's meant to spark debate rather than provide a simple verdict.

Will my 13-year-old be bored?

Most likely. Unless they are a total policy wonk or a massive Kerry Washington fan, the lack of action and the heavy focus on legal dialogue makes it a tough sell for younger middle schoolers.

Confirmation – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Confirmation

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie2016

80%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Kerry Washington and Wendell Pierce face off in a recreation of the 1991 hearings that forced the country to finally define sexual harassment.

6.8/10

84%

73%

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Confirmation

movie

14, 2016

80%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Kerry Washington and Wendell Pierce face off in a recreation of the 1991 hearings that forced the country to finally define sexual harassment.

6.8

84%

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6.8/10

84%

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Screenwise Verdict

Confirmation is a sharp, disciplined look at a moment that fundamentally shifted American culture. It doesn't lean into melodrama; instead, it lets the claustrophobic tension of the hearing room do the heavy lifting.

For a teenager interested in law, journalism, or history, this is a must-watch. It turns abstract concepts like 'judicial confirmation' and 'workplace harassment' into a tangible, high-stakes human conflict. It’s not exactly a 'fun' Friday night movie, but it’s a vital one for understanding the modern political landscape.

Age Fit

This is strictly for high schoolers and adults. The subject matter requires a level of maturity to process the nuances of sexual misconduct and political maneuvering that younger kids simply won't have.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

The film models courage and personal integrity under extreme public scrutiny, though the subject matter of sexual harassment is inherently heavy and mature.

Imaginative

As a historical docudrama, it prioritizes factual recreation over creative world-building or original fantasy.

Safe

Safe for its target teen/adult audience. There is no graphic violence or nudity, but there are detailed verbal descriptions of sexual harassment and workplace misconduct.

Enriching

An excellent civics and history lesson that explores the Supreme Court confirmation process, gender dynamics in power, and the evolution of workplace law.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Kerry Washington delivers a powerhouse performance as Anita Hill, capturing the quiet dignity required to face a room full of hostile senators.
It serves as a high-speed civics lesson, showing exactly how the Supreme Court confirmation process can turn into a political circus.
The film provides essential historical context for anyone trying to understand why the 1991 hearings were a watershed moment for women in the workplace.
It manages to be a gripping thriller despite the fact that the entire world already knows how the vote ends.

⚠

What to Watch For

The dialogue includes graphic verbal descriptions of sexual harassment that were part of the actual testimony, which may be uncomfortable for some viewers.
It is a dense, talky political drama; if your teen isn't interested in law or history, they will likely find the 110-minute runtime a bit of a slog.
The portrayal of the all-male Senate Judiciary Committee highlights significant gender bias, which is historically accurate but frustrating to watch.

Conversation Starters

"Why do you think it was so difficult for Anita Hill to come forward, and how have those challenges changed (or stayed the same) since 1991?"
"Does the confirmation process seem like a fair way to choose a judge for the highest court in the land?"
"How does the concept of 'he said, she said' play out when there is no physical evidence, only testimony?"
"What role did the media play in shaping how the public viewed both Clarence Thomas and Anita Hill during the hearings?"

Deep Dive

A Lesson in Political Pressure

Confirmation works because it resists the urge to turn the 1991 hearings into a simple hero-vs-villain story. Instead, it treats the event as a massive collision of personal lives and political machinery. Kerry Washington's Anita Hill isn't a crusader; she's a reluctant witness who is clearly terrified of the spotlight she’s been forced into. On the other side, Wendell Pierce plays Clarence Thomas not as a caricature, but as a man who feels his entire life’s work is being dismantled in real-time.

For parents, this is the kind of movie that rewards co-watching. The 1991 context is crucial—this was a time before the MeToo movement, before widespread digital archives, and when the Senate Judiciary Committee was an entirely white, male institution. Explaining these dynamics to a teen while watching helps them see why Hill’s testimony was such a shock to the system.

It’s also a masterclass in how 'truth' is litigated in the court of public opinion. The film spends as much time in the backrooms with political advisors as it does in the hearing chamber, showing how both sides scrambled to control the narrative. If your kid is doing a unit on the three branches of government or modern American history, this is the perfect supplemental material. It’s smart, it’s frustrating, and it’s deeply relevant to the world they live in now.