Finding ʻOhana – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Finding ʻOhana

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie2021

74%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Brooklyn kids meet Hawaiian treasure hunt in this Goonies-inspired adventure that actually respects indigenous culture.

6.1/10

81%

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Finding ʻOhana

movie

PG, 2021

74%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Brooklyn kids meet Hawaiian treasure hunt in this Goonies-inspired adventure that actually respects indigenous culture.

6.1

81%

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6.1/10

81%

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Screenwise Verdict

This is what happens when Netflix actually tries—a family adventure that's entertaining AND culturally meaningful. It's not going to win Oscars, and yes, it's basically The Goonies meets Moana meets every treasure hunt movie you've seen, but it works.

The Hawaiian cultural elements are handled with genuine respect and care, which elevates this above typical adventure schlock. Your kids will learn something real about indigenous Hawaiian culture while watching kids run through caves and solve puzzles. That's a win.

The 81% critic score and 69 Metacritic are solid for a Netflix family film—this isn't lazy content. It's well-made, well-acted, and actually has heart. The 6.1 IMDb is a bit lower but that's typical for family films that adults rate without context.

Is it groundbreaking cinema? No. Will your 8-12 year old be entertained while absorbing positive messages about heritage and family? Absolutely. That's exactly what you want from a Friday night family movie.

Age Fit

Best for ages 8-14 who can handle adventure peril and appreciate both the cultural themes and treasure-hunt excitement. Older teens might find it a bit young, though the Hawaiian cultural elements give it more substance than typical kids' adventure fare.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Family-centered adventure that emphasizes reconnecting with cultural heritage, sibling bonds, and cooperation with new friends. Models teamwork and respect for Hawaiian culture. Some mild peril and adventure tension, but overall emotionally healthy with positive relationships and growth.

Imaginative

Treasure hunt adventure that invites problem-solving and exploration, though follows a fairly familiar 'Goonies-style' formula. The Hawaiian setting and cultural elements add freshness, but the core plot structure is derivative. Encourages curiosity about history and heritage, but doesn't break new ground in the adventure genre.

Safe

Action-adventure appropriate for family viewing with typical peril (cave exploration, physical challenges) but no graphic violence, gore, or inappropriate content. Some scary moments in caves and adventure sequences that might startle younger viewers, but nothing traumatic. No surprise deaths or toxic behavior. Standard adventure movie stakes.

Enriching

Genuinely enriching exploration of Hawaiian culture, heritage, and the importance of understanding one's roots. Brooklyn kids learning about their ancestral home provides meaningful cultural education. Themes of family, belonging, and respecting indigenous culture are well-handled. Entertaining adventure format makes the cultural learning digestible, though it's still ultimately a popcorn movie.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Genuinely respectful and educational about Hawaiian culture and heritage—not just tropical window dressing
Classic treasure-hunt adventure format that kids love, with caves, puzzles, and genuine stakes
Positive sibling relationship and themes about understanding where you come from
Strong representation for Pacific Islander kids who rarely see themselves in family adventures
Actually entertaining for the whole family—81% on Rotten Tomatoes means critics thought it worked

⚠

What to Watch For

Cave sequences and adventure peril might be too intense for kids under 7—dark spaces, tight squeezes, some falls
It's basically 'The Goonies but make it Hawaiian'—if you've seen that formula before, this won't surprise you
Some mild language and attitude from the Brooklyn-raised teens adjusting to rural life
Runtime and pacing might lose younger kids' attention in the middle sections

Conversation Starters

"What do you know about where our family comes from? Would you want to go on an adventure there?"
"The kids had to learn about their Hawaiian heritage—what traditions or stories do you want to learn more about in our family?"
"If you found a treasure map, would you follow it? What would make you decide it was too dangerous?"
"How do you think the kids felt being away from Brooklyn in such a different place? Have you ever felt like a fish out of water?"

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