De Palma – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

De Palma

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie2016

52%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

A 107-minute masterclass in controversial filmmaking—if you can stomach the violence and sex that made De Palma infamous.

95%

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De Palma

movie

R, 2016

52%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

A 107-minute masterclass in controversial filmmaking—if you can stomach the violence and sex that made De Palma infamous.

95%

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Screenwise Verdict

Look, if you're a film nerd or raising one, De Palma is legitimately interesting—a rare chance to hear a legendary (and polarizing) director explain his entire career in his own words. The 95% critic score isn't a fluke; it's well-made and insightful.

But let's be clear: this is absolutely not for kids. It's a greatest-hits compilation of some of the most violent and sexually explicit scenes in American cinema, presented by a guy who mostly wants to tell you why he was right to film them that way. There's educational value here for older teens studying film or adults who love cinema, but you need to go in with eyes wide open about what you're signing up for.

If your 17-year-old is taking AP Film Studies or genuinely passionate about directing, this could spark great conversations about artistic boundaries and ethics. For everyone else? Skip it. There are plenty of film documentaries that don't require a strong stomach.

Age Fit

This is strictly for adults and older teens (17+) who are mature film enthusiasts. The documentary is packed with graphic violence, sexual content, and nudity from De Palma's films, making it completely inappropriate for children or young teens. Even for 17-year-olds, it should only be watched if they're genuinely interested in film history and can handle intense content.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

This is a documentary featuring extensive clips from Brian De Palma's violent, sexually explicit films (Scarface, Dressed to Kill, etc.) with the director unapologetically defending his use of 'ultraviolent horror' and 'extreme sexuality.' The tone is self-serving rather than critically reflective, and the graphic content—shootings, murders, nudity, sexual violence—is presented without much censorship. Not emotionally healthy for younger viewers.

Imaginative

As a deep dive into De Palma's filmmaking process, influences (particularly Hitchcock), and stylistic innovations over 55 years, it offers genuine insight into creative decision-making and cinematic technique. The documentary format is straightforward talking-head style rather than inventive, but the subject matter—split screens, long takes, suspense construction—is inherently creative. For aspiring filmmakers or film students, it's a masterclass in visual storytelling.

Safe

Common Sense Media rates this 17+, and Movieguide flags it with 'Family Content -3' for excessive violence, sex, and immorality. The documentary includes graphic violence (murders, shootings), explicit sexual content, nudity, and mature themes throughout—all drawn from De Palma's notorious catalog. This is absolutely not safe for children or even young teens to stumble upon. The content is expected given the subject, but still intense and frequent.

Enriching

For older teens interested in film history or adults who appreciate cinema studies, this offers substantial educational value about directorial vision, the evolution of thriller/horror genres, and the ethics of on-screen violence. However, it lacks balanced critique—De Palma mostly defends his choices without grappling with their moral implications. The Rotten Tomatoes 95% critic score and 83 Metacritic reflect its quality as film criticism, but it's more self-justification than growth-oriented analysis.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Genuinely fascinating for film students: De Palma walks through his entire career, explaining his Hitchcockian influences and signature techniques like split screens and long tracking shots
High critical acclaim (95% RT, 83 Metacritic) for good reason—it's a candid, unfiltered conversation with a master craftsman
Offers real insight into the creative process behind iconic films like Scarface, Carrie, Mission: Impossible, and The Untouchables
For adults interested in cinema history, it's a compelling examination of how far directors can push boundaries

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What to Watch For

Extremely graphic film clips throughout—expect shootings, stabbings, sexual violence, and nudity from De Palma's most notorious scenes
De Palma spends much of the doc defending his 'ultraviolent horror' and 'extreme sexuality' without much critical self-reflection
This is essentially a two-hour highlight reel of R-rated and NC-17 content, presented as artistic justification
Absolutely not for kids or teens under 17—Common Sense Media and Movieguide both flag serious content concerns

Conversation Starters

"What do you think about De Palma's argument that extreme violence can be 'artistic'? Where's the line?"
"He talks a lot about Hitchcock's influence—have you seen any Hitchcock films? How do they compare?"
"Do you think filmmakers have a responsibility to consider the impact of graphic content, or is it purely about artistic vision?"
"Which of De Palma's films are you curious to watch now? (And are you old enough for them?)"

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