Crossing – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Crossing

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie2024

86%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

A soulful, gritty road trip from Georgia to Istanbul that finds beauty in the search for a long-lost niece and the empathy found along the way.

97%

→

Crossing

movie

M, 2024

86%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

A soulful, gritty road trip from Georgia to Istanbul that finds beauty in the search for a long-lost niece and the empathy found along the way.

97%

Jump to

Also rated on

97%

View →

Where to Watch

Loading streaming options...

Where-to-watch data byJustWatch

Screenwise Verdict

Crossing is a gorgeous, deeply human film that manages to be both a gritty urban exploration and a tender story of redemption. It doesn't offer easy answers, but it offers a lot of heart and a perspective on the trans experience that rarely makes it to the big screen.

If your teen is a budding cinephile or just someone who cares about social justice, this is a must-watch. It’s slow, yes, but the payoff is an expanded worldview and a story that sticks with you long after the credits roll. Just make sure they’re okay with subtitles—this isn't one to watch while scrolling TikTok.

Age Fit

Best for 14 and up. It’s a mature, subtitled drama that requires some emotional intelligence to appreciate. It's a perfect 'bridge' movie for a teen ready to move from mainstream hits to serious international cinema.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

While it deals with heavy themes of estrangement and systemic transphobia, the core is a beautiful, evolving bond between an older woman and a young man on a shared mission of reconciliation.

Imaginative

Stunningly shot, it avoids typical tourist traps to show the 'hidden depths' of Istanbul. It captures the feeling of a city as a living, breathing character.

Safe

Safe for its target teen/adult audience, but parents should be aware of real-world grit, discussions of transphobia, and the occasional intensity of the Istanbul underworld.

Enriching

An absolute masterclass in empathy. It forces viewers to confront their own biases alongside the protagonist and offers a rare look at trans life in a non-Western context.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Empathy engine that helps teens understand the complexities of trans identity and family rejection without being preachy.
Cinematic travelogue that offers a gorgeous, unvarnished look at Istanbul far beyond the postcard views.
Unexpected duo chemistry between Lia, the rigid retired teacher, and Achi, her chaotic young sidekick.
High critical praise with a 97% Rotten Tomatoes score, making it a safe bet for kids who appreciate 'prestige' cinema.

⚠

What to Watch For

The pace is deliberate and art-house; it’s a 'slow burn' that might lose kids used to fast-paced Marvel-style editing.
Conversations around transphobia and the harsh realities of life for marginalized people in Turkey are central and can be heavy.
Expect some urban grit—scenes in bars, back alleys, and interactions with street life that feel very real.

Conversation Starters

"Why do you think Lia waited so long to look for Tekla?"
"How did Achi change from the beginning of the trip to the end?"
"Does seeing a city like Istanbul through this lens change how you think about other cultures?"
"What does this movie say about the idea of 'chosen family' vs. biological family?"

Deep Dive

Beyond the typical road trip

Directed by Levan Akin (who blew everyone away with And Then We Danced), Crossing is a movie that understands the weight of silence and the power of a city. It starts in a small Georgian village where the past feels heavy, but it really comes alive when Lia and Achi hit Istanbul.

What makes this work for families with older teens is the lack of melodrama. It doesn't treat Tekla's trans identity as a 'problem' to be solved, but as a fact of her life that Lia has to learn to respect. The movie spends a lot of time just being in Istanbul—in the cafes, on the ferries, and in the laundromats. It’s a lesson in observation.

"The film is less about the destination and more about the internal crossing Lia makes as she opens her eyes to a world she previously ignored."

For parents, it's a great chance to talk about how we carry our prejudices and how travel (or even just a really good movie) can break them down. It’s currently streaming on MUBI, which is basically the gold standard for 'cool indie movies you haven't heard of yet.' If you want to raise a kid who sees the world as bigger than their own neighborhood, put this on.

Stills

Ask Anything

Get a personalized guide on any topic

Writing about Crossing? Put this WISE score on your site