Gravity – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Gravity

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie2013

75%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Sandra Bullock fights for survival in space while you fight the urge to hold your breath for 90 straight minutes.

7.7/10

96%

7.2

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Gravity

movie

PG-13, 2013

75%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Sandra Bullock fights for survival in space while you fight the urge to hold your breath for 90 straight minutes.

7.7

96%

7.2

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7.7/10

96%

7.2

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Screenwise Verdict

Gravity is a technical marvel and a genuinely great film—just not a great film for most kids. It's relentlessly tense, emotionally heavy, and designed to make you feel the terror of being untethered in the void. If your teen loves space, science, or edge-of-your-seat thrillers, this is a fantastic pick that'll leave them buzzing (and maybe researching orbital mechanics).

But let's be clear: this is NOT a casual family movie night. Younger or sensitive kids will be genuinely frightened, and even some teens might find it too intense. The film's brilliance lies in its immersive realism, which means the danger feels visceral and inescapable.

That said, for the right audience, Gravity is enriching, awe-inspiring, and unforgettable. Just make sure your kid is ready for 90 minutes of 'oh god oh god we're all gonna die' before you press play.

Age Fit

This is squarely for teens 14+ who can handle sustained suspense and existential dread. Younger kids will find it terrifying, not thrilling. Upper age limit is open-ended—adults love this one too.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Gravity centers on survival, resilience, and human determination in the face of overwhelming odds. The emotional arc is mature but not toxic—Ryan Stone's journey from grief to choosing life is fundamentally hopeful. However, the film's intense, claustrophobic atmosphere and themes of isolation, death, and loss make it emotionally heavy. There's minimal interpersonal conflict or meanness, but the relentless tension and existential dread aren't exactly 'wholesome' in the traditional sense. It models perseverance but lacks warmth or cooperation since it's essentially a solo survival story.

Imaginative

Visually stunning and groundbreaking in its depiction of space. The film's technical achievement—long continuous shots, realistic zero-gravity physics, and immersive cinematography—invites awe and curiosity about space exploration. It's not 'imaginative' in the sense of fantasy world-building, but it sparks genuine wonder about the cosmos and the fragility of human life in that environment. The problem-solving sequences (navigating debris, using fire extinguishers for propulsion) showcase creative thinking under pressure. Critically acclaimed (96% RT, 96 Metacritic) for its innovation.

Safe

Common Sense Media rates this 14+, and that's fair. There's no gore, nudity, or sex, but there ARE intense, sustained sequences of peril, panic, and death. Multiple characters die on-screen (though not graphically), including a particularly disturbing moment where a character's face is shown after fatal impact. The film's entire premise is life-threatening danger, with hyperventilating, oxygen deprivation, fire, and the constant threat of dying in space. For younger or sensitive viewers, this is genuinely frightening and could trigger anxiety. It's PG-13 territory—safe for teens who can handle intense suspense, but NOT a casual family movie night for elementary schoolers.

Enriching

Gravity offers substantial enrichment: it's a masterclass in filmmaking craft, sparks interest in physics and space exploration, and explores themes of grief, rebirth, and the will to survive. The metaphor of Stone's journey from emotional death to choosing life is powerful. It's also genuinely entertaining—taut, thrilling, and visually spectacular. The 90-minute runtime keeps it focused. However, it's more experiential than didactic; you won't learn specific facts, but you'll gain appreciation for the vastness of space and human fragility. Strong critical reception (7.7 IMDb, 3.5 Letterboxd) confirms its impact.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Visually jaw-dropping—one of the most technically impressive films ever made, especially in IMAX or 3D
A taut, focused survival thriller that doesn't waste a second of its 90-minute runtime
Sparks genuine curiosity about space, physics, and the realities of orbital mechanics
Powerful metaphor about overcoming grief and choosing to live, wrapped in edge-of-your-seat suspense
Critically acclaimed across the board (96% RT critics, 96 Metacritic)—this is serious filmmaking

⚠

What to Watch For

Intense, relentless peril—characters die, oxygen runs out, and the tension never lets up. Not for anxious kids.
One particularly disturbing moment where a character's dead face is shown after impact with debris
Themes of grief and suicidal ideation (subtle but present)—Ryan Stone is processing the death of her daughter
The entire film is essentially 'what could go wrong in space'—great for teens who love suspense, nightmare fuel for younger kids

Conversation Starters

"What would you do if you were stranded in space with limited oxygen? How would you stay calm?"
"The movie shows how dangerous space really is—does that make you more or less interested in space exploration?"
"Ryan Stone is dealing with grief throughout the film. How does surviving in space help her process that loss?"
"What was the most intense moment for you? Were there parts where you felt like you couldn't breathe?"

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