Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie2011

26%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Nicolas Cage's flaming skull fights the Devil in a sequel that's too violent for kids and too boring for everyone else.

4.4/10

18%

31%

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Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance

movie

PG-13, 2011

26%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Nicolas Cage's flaming skull fights the Devil in a sequel that's too violent for kids and too boring for everyone else.

4.4

18%

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4.4/10

18%

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Screenwise Verdict

Look, this movie is a mess. It's got a 18% critic score and a 4.4 on IMDb for good reason—it's a poorly-made, chaotic slog that trades storytelling for CGI fire and demonic screaming. The violence is graphic, the language is strong, and the whole thing feels like a fever dream you'd rather forget.

Even if your teen can handle the mature content (and Common Sense Media says 15+), they'll probably be bored. There are so many better superhero films—darker Marvel entries, the Nolan Batman trilogy, even the first Ghost Rider if you're committed to the character. This sequel is skippable for families and most everyone else.

Age Fit

This is firmly in the 15-16+ range due to graphic violence, demonic content, and strong language. Even then, it's a tough sell—most teens would be better served by literally any other superhero movie. Not appropriate for anyone under 13.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

This is a dark, violent revenge story centered on demonic possession and soul-selling. The tone is grim and chaotic—flaming skulls, graphic violence, and a protagonist cursed to hunt souls for the Devil. Multiple sources flag disturbing imagery, strong profanity (including F-words), and themes of ritual sacrifice. There's minimal modeling of positive behavior; it's mostly explosions, supernatural horror, and moral bleakness. Not emotionally healthy for younger viewers.

Imaginative

The visual effects—flaming motorcycles, skull transformations, supernatural Eastern European settings—offer some creative spectacle. The premise of a cursed anti-hero battling demonic forces has imaginative potential. However, critics universally pan the execution: 18% on Rotten Tomatoes, 4.4 on IMDb, 1.9 on Letterboxd. Reviews call it 'short on storyline and swollen with special effects.' It's more bombast than creativity, and the poor storytelling limits any real sense of wonder or curiosity.

Safe

PG-13 rating with 'intense sequences of action and violence, some disturbing images, and language.' Australian classification warns 'Not suitable under 13; parental guidance to 15.' Dove.org does not approve it for younger viewers, citing violence 'over the acceptability level.' Content includes graphic combat, demonic transformations, strong profanity, drug misuse (morphine, Valium), and themes of the Devil claiming a child. This is not something a young child should stumble upon—lots of nightmare fuel and mature content.

Enriching

There's a vague moral thread about redemption and protecting innocence, but it's buried under relentless CGI chaos. The film offers little cognitive, ethical, or emotional growth. Critics describe it as a hollow spectacle with no meaningful takeaways. It's not entertaining enough to redeem its lack of substance—31% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, Metacritic 34/100. Parents would need to work hard to extract any discussion value, and frankly, there are far better superhero films for that.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Some teens find the over-the-top supernatural action and fiery visuals entertaining in a campy way
Could spark conversations about redemption, curses, and moral choices—if you squint past the chaos
Nicolas Cage doing his full unhinged Cage thing, which has a certain cult appeal for older viewers

⚠

What to Watch For

Graphic violence, demonic transformations, and disturbing imagery that can be genuinely frightening
Strong profanity including F-words, plus scenes of drug misuse
Themes of soul-selling, the Devil claiming a child, and ritual sacrifice—heavy supernatural horror stuff
Universally terrible reviews mean even teens who can handle the content may find it boring and poorly made

Conversation Starters

"What do you think it means to 'sell your soul'? Can someone ever come back from a bad choice like that?"
"The Ghost Rider is cursed to be the Devil's bounty hunter. If you had a superpower but it came with a terrible cost, would you use it?"
"Why do you think the filmmakers made this so dark and violent? Does that make it more 'mature' or just harder to watch?"

Stills