Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

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Screenwise Verdict

Look, I'm going to be straight with you: this movie is bad. Not bad because it's Christian—there are plenty of well-made faith films. It's bad because it's lazy, manipulative storytelling that treats intellectual debate like a WWE match where your guy always wins.

The critics didn't give it 13% on Rotten Tomatoes because of anti-Christian bias. They gave it 13% because it's a poorly constructed film with cardboard characters, ham-fisted dialogue, and the intellectual rigor of a Facebook argument. Even the 75% audience score is almost entirely from people who rate it 5 stars for its message, not its quality.

If you want your kids to explore faith questions, there are much better options—books, documentaries, or even just honest conversations. This film teaches kids that non-believers are cartoonish villains and that 'debate' means steamrolling the other side with rehearsed gotchas. That's not enriching; that's just confirmation bias with a PG rating.

The WISE score of 28 reflects both the film's poor quality and its problematic approach to modeling how to engage with people who think differently. It's safe from a content perspective, but intellectually and emotionally, it's junk food.

Age Fit

Common Sense Media rates it 10+, which tracks for content (no sex, violence, or language), but honestly, most kids under 14 would find this incredibly boring. The target audience is really teens and adults who already share the film's religious perspective—everyone else will check out quickly.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

45

While the film promotes faith and standing up for beliefs, it presents a deeply antagonistic worldview where non-believers are portrayed as hostile strawmen. The philosophy professor character is cartoonishly evil, and the film's tone is more combative than kind. Models stubbornness over cooperation, and presents an us-vs-them mentality that isn't emotionally healthy.

Imaginative

20

Extremely formulaic and predictable Christian apologetics film with no creative storytelling, visual innovation, or curiosity-sparking elements. The debate scenes follow a paint-by-numbers structure, and the multiple subplot characters feel like they're checking boxes rather than exploring ideas. Zero invitation for creative expression or genuine exploration of complex questions.

Safe

75

No violence, gore, sexual content, or profanity. The conflict is entirely verbal/intellectual. However, the aggressive portrayal of atheists and the emotionally manipulative cancer subplot could be distressing. The film's safety score is high from a content perspective, but the ideological rigidity and strawman arguments create a different kind of discomfort.

Enriching

25

Presents philosophical arguments but in such a one-sided, intellectually dishonest way that it undermines genuine learning. The 'debates' are rigged from the start, with the atheist professor making arguments no actual philosopher would make. Could spark conversations about faith, but more likely to entrench existing views than build critical thinking. The entertainment value is minimal—critics gave it 13% on RT for good reason. Feels like a sermon masquerading as drama.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

If your family is deeply religious and wants faith-affirming content, this delivers that message loudly and repeatedly
Could spark conversations about standing up for personal beliefs, even when it's uncomfortable
The multiple storylines show different people grappling with faith questions (though none with much nuance)
For teens already interested in Christian apologetics, it presents some common philosophical arguments (albeit simplistically)

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What to Watch For

Extremely one-sided portrayal of atheists as angry, immoral, or secretly believing in God—teaches kids that non-believers are the enemy rather than just people with different views
The philosophy professor is so over-the-top villainous it's almost comical—no actual academic would behave this way
Manipulative cancer subplot and Muslim family abuse storyline feel exploitative
The film's 'debates' aren't real debates—they're scripted victories that don't model honest intellectual engagement
Frankly, it's boring and poorly made, even if you agree with its message

Conversation Starters

"Why do you think the movie made the professor so mean? Do you know any atheists in real life who act like that?"
"What would a fair debate about God's existence actually look like? How would both sides need to listen?"
"The movie shows a lot of people suffering. Why do you think bad things happen to good people?"
"How can you stand up for what you believe without treating people who disagree as enemies?"

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