Flow – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Flow

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie2024

87%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

A wordless animated masterpiece where a cat and unlikely animal friends survive a flood together—think Noah's Ark meets art house cinema.

7.9/10

97%

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Flow

movie

PG, 2024

87%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

A wordless animated masterpiece where a cat and unlikely animal friends survive a flood together—think Noah's Ark meets art house cinema.

7.9

97%

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Screenwise Verdict

Flow is that rare gem: a genuinely artistic animated film that doesn't sacrifice story for style. The wordless approach is bold and beautiful, teaching visual literacy while delivering a powerful message about cooperation and survival.

This isn't background noise—it demands attention and rewards it. Kids used to rapid-fire dialogue and constant stimulation might need an adjustment period, but the payoff is worth it. The flood scenario provides natural entry points for conversations about climate, displacement, and what really matters when everything changes.

The critical acclaim isn't hype—this is legitimately excellent filmmaking that treats young viewers as capable of complex emotional understanding. It's slow cinema for kids, which sounds like an oxymoron but works beautifully here. Perfect for families looking to expand beyond the Disney/Pixar formula without losing entertainment value.

Age Fit

Best for ages 6-12, though the wordless format and contemplative style will appeal most to patient, visually-oriented kids. Younger than 6 might struggle with the lack of dialogue; older than 12 might find it too simple, though the artistry could still engage teens interested in animation craft.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

A dialogue-free animated film about cooperation and survival that models teamwork across differences. The premise of animals working together despite natural instincts promotes kindness and mutual support. The pacing appears contemplative rather than chaotic, with a focus on the journey and relationships. Common Sense Media's age 6 rating suggests emotionally appropriate content.

Imaginative

A wordless animated film is inherently imaginative, requiring viewers to interpret emotion and story through visuals alone. The premise of a post-flood world with diverse species on a boat invites wonder about survival, adaptation, and unlikely friendships. The high critical acclaim (97% RT critics, 87 Metacritic) suggests original storytelling that stands out from typical animated fare.

Safe

As a family animation with a CSM age 6 rating, this appears safe for young viewers. The flood scenario and survival themes could be mildly intense but aren't unexpected in an adventure context. No MPAA rating listed but genre signals suggest standard animated peril without gore, violence, or inappropriate content. The lack of dialogue eliminates concerns about language. Docking slightly for potential flood/disaster anxiety triggers.

Enriching

Exceptional critical reception (97% critics, 98% audience, 7.9 IMDb, 4.1/5 Letterboxd) suggests meaningful storytelling. Themes of cooperation across differences, environmental adaptation, and survival offer rich discussion material. The wordless format builds visual literacy and emotional intelligence. The flood/climate metaphor provides entry points for deeper conversations about change and resilience.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

No dialogue means universal storytelling that transcends language—perfect for visual learners and a refreshing break from constant chatter
Teaches cooperation across differences in the most literal way: natural predators and prey working together to survive
Stunning critical reception (97% critics, 98% audience) suggests this is the rare animated film that works for both kids and adults without pandering
The contemplative pacing offers a counter-narrative to the frenetic energy of most kids' content—almost meditative
Environmental and survival themes provide rich material for discussions about adaptation, climate, and resilience

⚠

What to Watch For

The flood scenario could be scary for anxious kids or those who've experienced natural disasters—worth a heads-up conversation beforehand
Wordless format means younger viewers need to interpret emotions and story visually, which might frustrate kids used to explicit narration
This is art house animation, not Pixar—some kids expecting constant jokes and action might find it slow or boring
Animal peril and survival tension throughout, though nothing graphic or gory

Conversation Starters

"Why do you think the animals decided to help each other even though they're usually enemies in nature?"
"What was the hardest part about the animals living together on the boat? How did they solve their problems without talking?"
"If you had to survive on a boat with people (or animals) very different from you, what would be the biggest challenge?"
"The movie doesn't use words—did that make it easier or harder to understand what was happening?"
"What do you think caused the flood? What would you save if you had to leave your home quickly?"

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