Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

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Screenwise Verdict

Look, Crooked Arrows has its heart in the right place. A sports movie centered on Native American characters and the indigenous origins of lacrosse? That's genuinely cool and underrepresented. The problem is everything else.

With a 42% critic score and 5.9 IMDb rating, this is textbook 'direct-to-streaming' quality that happened to get a theatrical release. It hits every single sports movie beat you've seen a hundred times: ragtag team, tough coach with something to prove, montage sequences, big tournament, lessons learned. The cultural elements are the only thing that distinguishes it from a dozen other forgettable sports films.

The audience score (62%) is higher than critics, which suggests it works fine as background family viewing if your kid is into lacrosse or you want to expose them to Native American stories. But let's be real—in 2025, this 2012 film already feels dated, and it wasn't exactly groundbreaking when it came out.

It's available on approximately 47 different streaming platforms (okay, 13, but still), which tells you everything about its theatrical legacy. If you've got a tween who plays lacrosse or you're doing a unit on Native American culture, sure, throw it on. Otherwise, there are better sports movies and better cultural education content out there.

Age Fit

Best for 10-14 year olds who are into sports movies or learning about Native American culture. Older teens will likely find it too predictable and younger kids may not connect with the cultural identity themes.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

72

Classic underdog sports story that emphasizes cultural identity, teamwork, and personal growth. Models cooperation and respect for Native American heritage. The narrative arc follows a predictable but emotionally healthy pattern of redemption and community connection. Some formulaic sports movie tropes but generally positive messaging about finding purpose and honoring tradition.

Imaginative

38

Fairly paint-by-numbers sports movie that hits all the expected beats without much originality. The cultural angle around Native American lacrosse traditions offers some unique flavor, but the execution is standard 'ragtag team beats the odds' fare. Doesn't invite creative thinking or exploration beyond the formula. The lacrosse sport itself is interesting but the film doesn't leverage it for imaginative storytelling.

Safe

78

Common Sense Media rates it for 11+, suggesting mild content appropriate for tweens. No MPAA rating listed but likely PG or PG-13. Sports violence would be limited to on-field lacrosse action. Some thematic elements around cultural identity and probably mild language typical of teen sports films. No indication of graphic content, sexual material, or disturbing imagery. Standard sports movie safety profile.

Enriching

58

Offers meaningful exposure to Native American culture and the history of lacrosse as an indigenous sport. Themes of cultural pride, identity, and community could spark valuable conversations. However, with a 42% critic score and 5.9 IMDb rating, the execution appears mediocre. The enrichment potential is there in the subject matter but likely undermined by formulaic storytelling and production quality. Educational value about lacrosse origins and Native American contemporary life.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Highlights Native American culture and the indigenous roots of lacrosse—genuinely educational angle you don't see often
Classic sports movie structure with themes of redemption, teamwork, and finding your identity
Could spark great conversations about cultural heritage, stereotypes, and what it means to honor tradition
Safe, wholesome family viewing without concerning content—just straight-up sports drama

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What to Watch For

This is aggressively formulaic—if your kid has seen any underdog sports movie, they've basically seen this
2012 production values and pacing may feel slow and dated to kids raised on Marvel and TikTok
The 42% critic score isn't lying—it's earnest but not particularly well-executed
Some mild language and sports aggression typical of teen sports films

Conversation Starters

"Did you know lacrosse was invented by Native Americans? What other things do we use today that have indigenous origins?"
"The movie shows the team connecting with their heritage—what traditions or cultural things are important in our family?"
"Why do you think the prep school teams underestimated them? Have you ever been underestimated?"
"What did you think about how they balanced modern life with traditional practices?"

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