Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

Where to Watch

Loading streaming options...

Screenwise Verdict

Let's be real: Fences is a masterclass in acting and a culturally significant piece of American theater brought to screen. Denzel Washington and Viola Davis are phenomenal, and the script is rich with meaning.

But here's the thing—this is not a movie for kids, and honestly, it's barely a movie at all. It's filmed theater: two hours of intense dialogue in a backyard, exploring infidelity, emotional abuse, systemic racism, and generational trauma. It's slow, heavy, and requires full emotional and intellectual engagement.

For a mature high schooler studying American literature, history, or drama? Absolutely worth watching. For a family movie night or a kid looking for entertainment? Hard pass. This is homework disguised as cinema—important homework, but homework nonetheless.

The WISE score reflects that tension: it's enriching and culturally vital, but it's not wholesome, not imaginative, and definitely not safe for younger viewers. If you've got a thoughtful 16-year-old ready to wrestle with big, painful questions about family and legacy, go for it. Otherwise, save this one for when they're older.

Age Fit

Best for older teens (15+) and adults who can handle mature, emotionally heavy drama and appreciate character-driven storytelling. Younger kids will find it slow, confusing, and deeply boring—this is not entertainment for children.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

58

Based on August Wilson's Pulitzer Prize-winning play, Fences depicts a complex, flawed family dynamic in 1950s America. The protagonist Troy Maxson is emotionally abusive, unfaithful, and deeply bitter—not a positive role model. While the film authentically portrays the struggles of a Black working-class family facing systemic racism, the emotional tone is heavy, tense, and often painful. There's limited modeling of kindness or cooperation; instead, it shows the damage caused by unresolved trauma and poor choices. It's realistic but not uplifting.

Imaginative

42

This is a faithful stage-to-screen adaptation that prioritizes dialogue and character study over visual storytelling. It's essentially filmed theater—most scenes take place in a single backyard with long, intense conversations. There's minimal cinematic creativity, no fantastical elements, and no invitation to explore or build anything. The imagination required is purely interpretive: understanding the metaphors (the fence itself, Troy's baseball stories) and the historical context. For a movie, it's quite static and talk-heavy.

Safe

55

Common Sense Media rates this for age 14+, which aligns with the mature themes: infidelity, a child born from an affair, emotional abuse, racial discrimination, death (Troy dies), heavy drinking, and pervasive use of mild profanity and racial slurs (used in period-appropriate context). There's no graphic violence, nudity, or sex scenes, but the emotional intensity and adult themes—a father rejecting his son, marital betrayal—are heavy and potentially triggering. This isn't a movie that would shock an informed viewer, but it's definitely not something a younger child should stumble into.

Enriching

78

Fences offers significant historical and cultural insight into the Black experience in 1950s America, exploring themes of systemic racism, generational trauma, masculinity, responsibility, and the cost of unfulfilled dreams. The performances (Denzel Washington and Viola Davis, who won an Oscar for this role) are masterful, and the script is rich with metaphor and moral complexity. It invites deep conversations about family, forgiveness, legacy, and the cycle of pain. For mature teens and adults, it's a powerful character study that builds empathy and critical thinking about history and human nature.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Oscar-caliber performances that showcase acting at its finest—Viola Davis won Best Supporting Actress
Authentic portrayal of Black working-class life in 1950s America, exploring systemic racism and generational trauma
Rich, complex characters and dialogue that invite deep discussion about responsibility, masculinity, and forgiveness
Based on a Pulitzer Prize-winning play, offering literary and cultural significance for older students studying American drama or history

⚠

What to Watch For

Infidelity and a child born from an affair are central to the plot—emotionally intense and mature
The protagonist is deeply flawed: emotionally abusive, unfaithful, and bitter—not a feel-good father figure
Heavy use of period-appropriate language including racial slurs and profanity
A main character dies; themes of death, regret, and unresolved family pain permeate the film
This is basically filmed theater—slow-paced, dialogue-heavy, and not visually dynamic. Kids expecting a movie will be bored out of their minds

Conversation Starters

"Why do you think Troy treats Cory the way he does? Is he trying to protect him or hurt him?"
"Rose says she's been standing with Troy for 18 years—what does that mean about her strength and her choices?"
"How did racism and discrimination shape Troy's life and his bitterness? Do his experiences excuse his behavior?"
"What does the fence symbolize for different characters in the movie?"
"Troy dies before reconciling with his son. How does that affect the family's ability to heal?"

Ask Anything

Get a personalized guide on any topic

Related Guides

Beyond the EGOT: A Parent’s Guide to the Powerful Filmography of Viola Davis

Navigate high-stakes history and heavy conversations with a breakdown of age-appropriateness for this legend’s most iconic roles.

Denzel Washington: The Parent’s Watch-or-Wait Guide

From the glory of 'Titans' to the grit of 'Gladiator II,' here is how to introduce your kids to the GOAT without accidentally traumatizing them.

Writing about Fences? Put this WISE score on your site