Drillbit Taylor – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Drillbit Taylor

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie2008

28%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Three freshmen hire a 'bodyguard' who's actually a homeless con artist—and somehow this premise is even less fun than it sounds.

26%

→

Drillbit Taylor

movie

PG-13, 2008

28%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Three freshmen hire a 'bodyguard' who's actually a homeless con artist—and somehow this premise is even less fun than it sounds.

26%

Jump to

Also rated on

26%

View →

Where to Watch

Loading streaming options...

Where-to-watch data byJustWatch

Screenwise Verdict

Look, this is a movie that bombed with critics (26% on Rotten Tomatoes) and barely scraped by with audiences (44%) for good reason. It takes a premise with potential—kids dealing with a sociopathic bully—and squanders it on a con artist 'hero' who teaches them nothing valuable.

The 2008 teen comedy formula feels especially stale in 2025, and the treatment of homelessness and deception as comedic fodder hasn't aged well. Even if your teen is dealing with bullying issues, there are far better films that handle the topic with more nuance and less slapstick.

With a 2.6/5 on Letterboxd and a 41 Metacritic, this is one of those movies that exists purely as a streaming filler option when you've exhausted everything else. Unless you're doing a deep dive into Owen Wilson's filmography (why?), there's really no compelling reason to watch this in 2025. It's not offensively bad—just forgettably mediocre, which might be worse.

Age Fit

Best for ages 14+ per Common Sense Media, though honestly, even older teens might find this painfully dated. The bullying content is intense enough to be upsetting for younger middle schoolers, but the humor is juvenile enough that high schoolers will likely cringe. It's stuck in an awkward middle ground where nobody really wins.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

A comedy centered on bullying that tries to find humor in deception and homelessness. The protagonist is a con artist exploiting vulnerable kids, which undermines positive relationship modeling. While it attempts to address serious issues like school bullying, the tone is uneven and the resolution feels hollow. The premise itself—hiring protection from a violent bully—normalizes fear-based solutions rather than healthy conflict resolution.

Imaginative

Formulaic Judd Apatow-adjacent comedy with a predictable premise: underdog freshmen + fake bodyguard = hijinks. The 'homeless guy pretending to be a mercenary' concept had potential but executes without much creativity. Nothing here invites curiosity, creative thinking, or exploration. It's paint-by-numbers teen comedy from the late 2000s that feels dated even for its time, evidenced by the dismal 26% critic score and 2.6/5 Letterboxd rating.

Safe

Common Sense Media rates it 14+, which signals moderate concerns. The film centers on violent bullying as a plot driver, includes a con artist manipulating teenagers, and likely contains crude humor typical of 2008 teen comedies. While not gratuitously violent or sexual, the bullying content could be triggering for kids experiencing similar situations. The comedic framing of homelessness and deception also raises questions about messaging appropriateness for younger viewers.

Enriching

Very limited enrichment value. While bullying is a real issue that could spark discussion, the film handles it through slapstick and deception rather than meaningful exploration. The 'bodyguard' teaches no real life skills, models dishonesty, and the resolution likely involves comeuppance rather than growth. With a 41 Metacritic and 44% audience score, even general entertainment value is questionable. No awards recognition, no notable creative vision—just a forgettable comedy that wastes its premise.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Tackles the real issue of school bullying, which could resonate with kids experiencing similar situations
Owen Wilson brings some charm to what is otherwise a pretty thankless role
The premise of hiring protection could spark conversations about standing up to bullies (even if the execution falls flat)
Short enough (presumably under 2 hours) that you won't lose an entire afternoon to it

⚠

What to Watch For

Bullying is the central conflict—includes physical intimidation and violence that could be upsetting for sensitive viewers
The 'hero' is literally a con artist lying to and stealing from teenagers, which sends mixed messages about trust and honesty
Typical late-2000s teen comedy crude humor and language (rated for 14+)
The comedy around homelessness may feel uncomfortable or tone-deaf by 2025 standards

Conversation Starters

"What would you actually do if someone at school was bullying you? Who would you talk to?"
"Why do you think the kids felt they couldn't go to adults for help with the bully?"
"Was it okay for Drillbit to lie to them, even if he eventually helped? When is lying ever justified?"
"How do movies make bullying look different from what it's really like at school?"

Ask Anything

Get a personalized guide on any topic