God's Not Dead 2 – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

God's Not Dead 2

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie2016

28%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

A Christian teacher faces a courtroom battle after mentioning Jesus in class—but the real crime here is the filmmaking.

10%

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God's Not Dead 2

movie

PG, 2016

28%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

A Christian teacher faces a courtroom battle after mentioning Jesus in class—but the real crime here is the filmmaking.

10%

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Screenwise Verdict

Look, I'm going to be straight with you: this movie is bad. Not just 'not for everyone' bad, but objectively poorly made.

The critical consensus is brutal (10% on RT, 22 on Metacritic, 1.7/5 on Letterboxd), and it's earned. The acting is wooden, the courtroom scenes are legally absurd, and the entire film operates on a persecution complex that presents anyone who isn't an evangelical Christian as a mustache-twirling villain.

If you're part of the Pure Flix audience and want faith-affirming content, you'll probably appreciate the message. But know that you're choosing ideology over quality. Your kids will likely be bored unless they're already deeply invested in this worldview.

The real issue isn't that it's Christian—it's that it's lazy filmmaking that trades nuance and truth for cheap emotional manipulation. There are much better ways to explore faith, religious freedom, and standing up for beliefs that don't require demonizing everyone who thinks differently.

Age Fit

Aimed at ages 10-17 within conservative Christian households. Adults who aren't already in the target demographic will find it unwatchable. Even many Christian film critics panned it for poor quality and divisive messaging.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

While the film attempts to model standing up for beliefs, it presents a highly polarized, us-vs-them worldview that portrays non-Christians (particularly atheists and civil liberties advocates) as antagonistic villains. The courtroom drama format creates tension through conflict rather than cooperation or nuanced dialogue. The tone is preachy and didactic rather than emotionally healthy exploration of faith.

Imaginative

This is a straightforward courtroom drama with zero creative spark. It follows a predictable legal thriller template with no originality, no visual creativity, and no invitation to explore ideas independently. The narrative is entirely prescriptive rather than thought-provoking. Critics universally panned it for being formulaic and uninspired (10% RT critic score, 1.7/5 Letterboxd).

Safe

No violence, gore, sexual content, or truly frightening material. CSM rates it for age 10+. The courtroom tension is mild. However, the film presents a deeply divisive worldview that demonizes secular perspectives and could create anxiety in kids about persecution. For a film marketed to families, it's technically 'safe' in content but emotionally manipulative in framing.

Enriching

While it attempts to explore religious freedom and First Amendment issues, the film presents a cartoonishly one-sided argument that misrepresents legal principles and vilifies opposing viewpoints. It doesn't foster critical thinking, nuanced understanding of constitutional law, or genuine ethical exploration. The 22 Metacritic score and 4.4 IMDb rating reflect its failure to provide meaningful insight. It preaches to the choir rather than enriching understanding.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

If your family shares this specific brand of evangelical Christianity and persecution narrative, you'll find affirmation here
Sparks conversations about religious freedom and First Amendment rights (even if the film badly misrepresents them)
No objectionable content in terms of violence, sex, or language—it's technically clean
The 62% audience score on RT shows it resonates with its target demographic

⚠

What to Watch For

This is essentially a propaganda film that presents atheists, the ACLU, and secular society as villains trying to destroy Christianity
The legal arguments are cartoonishly inaccurate and could give kids a warped understanding of constitutional law
It's boring—like, really boring. Wooden acting, predictable plot, and the dramatic tension of a church newsletter
The 10% critic score isn't a liberal conspiracy; it's because this is objectively poorly made cinema
Could create anxiety in religious kids about persecution that doesn't reflect reality

Conversation Starters

"What do you think about how the movie portrayed people who don't share the teacher's beliefs?"
"Do you think the legal situation in the movie reflects how things actually work in schools?"
"How would you feel if someone of a different religion wanted to talk about their beliefs in class?"
"What's the difference between sharing your faith and respecting that others believe differently?"

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