Defiance – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Defiance

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie2008

58%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

True story of Jewish brothers who saved 1,200 lives in the Belorussian forest—powerful history, brutal violence, not for kids.

7.1/10

58%

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Defiance

movie

R, 2008

58%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

True story of Jewish brothers who saved 1,200 lives in the Belorussian forest—powerful history, brutal violence, not for kids.

7.1

58%

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7.1/10

58%

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Screenwise Verdict

Defiance is a solid, important historical drama that deserves more attention than it got. The Bielski brothers' story is genuinely inspiring—they built a functioning village in the forest and saved over 1,000 lives while the Nazis hunted them. That's remarkable.

But this is a grim, violent war movie with R-rated content throughout. It's not entertainment for kids, and it's not light viewing for anyone. The 58% critic score reflects its competent-but-not-exceptional execution; it's earnest and well-intentioned but lacks the cinematic punch of Schindler's List or the raw power of Son of Saul.

For high schoolers studying WWII or families with mature teens interested in Holocaust history, this is worthwhile viewing. It fills an important gap in the narrative and models extraordinary courage. Just know what you're getting into—this is heavy, brutal, and emotionally draining. Watch it because it matters, not because it's fun.

Age Fit

Common Sense Media recommends 15+, and that feels right. This is for high schoolers studying WWII or adults interested in Holocaust history. The violence is brutal and the emotional weight is real—younger teens aren't ready.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Models courage, resilience, and community-building under extreme circumstances. The Bielski brothers' decision to protect over 1,000 Jewish refugees shows profound humanity and cooperation. However, the brutal wartime setting includes executions, intense violence, and the emotional weight of genocide—making it emotionally heavy rather than nurturing. Strong language throughout. This is historical heroism, not feel-good viewing.

Imaginative

Straightforward historical war drama with limited creative flourish. The forest survival and village-building elements offer some resourcefulness, but the film follows a conventional narrative structure without much visual or storytelling innovation. It's competently made but doesn't invite curiosity or creative thinking—it's a grim, grounded retelling of real events.

Safe

Rated R for violence and language. Multiple fierce battles, graphic killings, executions of unarmed people, and the omnipresent threat of genocide. IMDb parents guide lists moderate violence/gore and profanity. Common Sense Media explicitly warns 'this war movie isn't for kids.' No sexual content beyond mild elements, but the Holocaust context and brutal combat make this decidedly unsafe for younger viewers. Expected content for a WWII film, but definitely not safe for kids.

Enriching

Tells an important, lesser-known Holocaust resistance story. The Bielski partisans' real-life rescue of 1,200 Jews is historically significant and challenges the narrative of Jewish passivity during WWII. Raises questions about survival ethics, leadership under pressure, and what it means to maintain humanity in inhumane conditions. Parent reviews call it 'engrossing' and 'uplifting' despite the darkness. Solid educational value for mature teens and adults interested in WWII history.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Tells an under-represented Holocaust resistance story—the Bielski partisans actually saved over 1,200 Jews
Models courage, resourcefulness, and community-building under impossible circumstances
Challenges the narrative of Jewish passivity during WWII with a story of active resistance and survival
Strong performances and emotionally resonant storytelling that parents find 'engrossing' and 'uplifting' despite the darkness
Valuable educational content for teens learning about WWII and the Holocaust

⚠

What to Watch For

R-rated violence: graphic battle scenes, executions of unarmed people, and the constant threat of genocide
Strong language throughout
Emotionally heavy subject matter—this is Holocaust survival, not light viewing
At 58% on Rotten Tomatoes, critics were mixed; it's a solid but not exceptional war drama

Conversation Starters

"What would you do if you had to choose between fighting back and protecting people who couldn't fight?"
"The Bielski brothers took in anyone who made it to the forest, even people who couldn't contribute. What does that say about their values?"
"How do you think people maintained hope and humanity when everything around them was designed to destroy both?"
"This is a lesser-known story from the Holocaust. Why do you think some stories get told more than others?"

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