Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

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Screenwise Verdict

Look, let's be real: this movie is getting absolutely destroyed in audience ratings, and that tells you everything you need to know. A 4.7 on IMDb and 1.7 out of 5 on Letterboxd? That's not just 'not great'—that's 'we made this because we had to, not because we had a story to tell' territory.

The premise is actually interesting—time travel to prevent your mom from becoming a villain—and the themes about intergenerational trauma are more thoughtful than your typical Disney Channel fare. But good themes don't matter if the execution is so boring or cringey that kids are tuning out.

If your kid is a die-hard Descendants fan who's seen all three previous movies and needs closure, fine. Put it on. But if you're looking for quality family movie night content, there are about a thousand better options on Disney+. This feels like franchise exhaustion in movie form—Disney squeezing one more film out of a concept that peaked two movies ago.

The WISE elements are there on paper, but a movie has to be watchable to actually deliver on any of them.

Age Fit

Best for ages 8-13 who are already fans of the Descendants franchise. The themes are sophisticated enough for tweens, but the execution and Disney Channel aesthetic will likely lose older teens. Common Sense Media's age 8 recommendation seems right for the content, though the poor quality means even target-age kids might check out.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

68

Models themes of redemption, mother-daughter relationships, and cross-cultural friendship between Red and Chloe. The core message about understanding trauma and breaking cycles of villainy is emotionally healthy. However, the Queen of Hearts' coup and villainous behavior may be intense for younger viewers. Pacing is typical Disney Channel musical fare—energetic but not chaotic.

Imaginative

62

Time-travel premise offers some creative exploration of cause-and-effect and alternate timelines. The 'what if we could change our parents' past' concept has imaginative potential. However, as the fourth installment in a franchise, it's leaning heavily on established Disney villain lore rather than breaking new ground. The Descendants universe itself is inherently imaginative (villain kids in a fairy tale mashup), but execution appears formulaic based on the low audience scores.

Safe

82

Common Sense Media rates it for age 8, suggesting age-appropriate content. As a Disney+ musical, it avoids graphic violence, sexual content, or disturbing imagery. The 'coup' and 'traumatic event' are likely handled in typical Disney fashion—dramatic but not truly frightening. No concerning safety flags for unexpected content. Docking some points for the coup/villain intensity that might startle sensitive younger viewers.

Enriching

55

Explores intergenerational trauma, the impact of parenting on children's paths, and the idea that people aren't born villains. These are meaningful themes that could spark good discussions. However, the extremely low audience ratings (43% RT, 4.7 IMDb, 1.7/5 Letterboxd) suggest poor execution that undermines any enriching potential. Entertainment value appears significantly compromised—it's hard to learn from something you're not engaged with.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Tackles intergenerational trauma and the idea that villains are made, not born—surprisingly mature themes for a Disney Channel musical
Time-travel plot could spark conversations about choices, consequences, and whether we'd change our parents' pasts if we could
Mother-daughter relationship dynamics between Red and the Queen of Hearts offer emotional depth
If your kid is already invested in the Descendants universe, they'll want to see how the story continues

⚠

What to Watch For

The Queen of Hearts stages a coup, which might be intense for sensitive kids under 8
This is the fourth movie in the franchise—you'll be lost if you haven't seen the previous films
Those ratings are brutal: audiences are NOT feeling this one, so manage expectations heavily
It's a musical, so if your kids aren't into spontaneous singing, this will be a hard pass

Conversation Starters

"If you could go back in time and change something about my past, would you? What would you change?"
"Do you think people are born bad, or do bad things happen to them that make them act that way?"
"Red's trying to help her mom even though her mom is kind of terrible. When is it okay to give up on someone, and when should you keep trying?"
"If you were Chloe with a 'perfect' mom, how would you feel teaming up with someone whose mom is the villain?"

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Descendants: The Rise of Red