Head Full of Honey – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Head Full of Honey

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie2018

48%

WISE Score

A well-meaning but forgettable drama about a girl and her grandfather's Alzheimer's journey that's more maudlin than meaningful.

Head Full of Honey

movie

M, 2018

48%

WISE Score

A well-meaning but forgettable drama about a girl and her grandfather's Alzheimer's journey that's more maudlin than meaningful.

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Screenwise Verdict

Look, Alzheimer's is an important topic and it's great when films help kids understand what millions of families go through. But this 2018 remake (of a 2014 German film) is just... not good.

The ratings tell the story: 5.6 on IMDb, 2.8 on Letterboxd. That Letterboxd score is particularly damning—film enthusiasts really didn't connect with this. It's the kind of movie that mistakes sadness for depth and confuses a 'remarkable adventure' with a predictable melodrama.

If you want to help your teen understand dementia, you're better off with a documentary, a conversation, or frankly just visiting a grandparent. This film won't stick with them, and with only 71% of regular audiences even mildly endorsing it, you're looking at a forgettable tearjerker that doesn't earn its emotional moments.

Available on Hoopla, so at least it's free with a library card. But free doesn't mean worth your time.

Age Fit

Best for ages 12-16 who are mature enough to handle themes of cognitive decline and family illness. The CSM rating of 13+ is appropriate. Younger kids won't engage with the slow pacing, and older teens will likely find it saccharine and poorly executed.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Centers on an intergenerational relationship between grandfather and granddaughter dealing with Alzheimer's. Models care, patience, and family bonds. However, the premise inherently involves watching a loved one's cognitive decline, which can be emotionally heavy. The tone appears gentle based on the synopsis, but the subject matter is inherently sad.

Imaginative

The 'remarkable adventure' suggests some imaginative elements, but this appears to be a fairly conventional family drama about illness. A 2018 remake of a German film suggests it's following an established template rather than breaking new ground. Letterboxd's 2.8/5 and IMDb's 5.6/10 indicate audiences found it uninspired.

Safe

Common Sense Media rates it for 13+, suggesting some mature themes around illness, death, and possibly mild language. No indicators of violence, gore, or sexual content. The primary concern is the emotional weight of watching dementia progression, which can be distressing but isn't 'unsafe' in the traditional sense. CSM's age rating suggests it handles the topic with appropriate sensitivity.

Enriching

Tackles Alzheimer's disease and caregiving, which could build empathy and understanding of cognitive decline. However, the mediocre ratings (5.6 IMDb, 2.8 Letterboxd, 71% RT audience) suggest it doesn't execute this meaningfully. A film about dementia should be profound, but this appears to be a forgettable melodrama that squanders its potential for real insight.

Parent Info

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Why It Might Be Great

Introduces kids to the reality of Alzheimer's and dementia in an accessible way
Shows intergenerational bonding and the importance of caring for elderly family members
Could spark important conversations about memory, aging, and what happens when our minds change
The granddaughter protagonist gives younger viewers an entry point into a difficult topic

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What to Watch For

Emotionally heavy subject matter—watching cognitive decline is sad and potentially scary for sensitive kids
The 5.6 IMDb and 2.8 Letterboxd ratings tell you what you need to know: this isn't particularly well-done
May feel slow or boring to kids expecting an actual 'adventure'—this is a disease drama, not a road trip movie
Better films exist on this topic (The Father, Still Alice) if you want something truly impactful

Conversation Starters

"Have you noticed grandparents or older people sometimes forgetting things? What do you think that feels like for them?"
"If someone you loved couldn't remember you anymore, how would you want to help them feel safe and loved?"
"What are some of your favorite memories with grandparents or older family members? Why do you think memories are so important?"
"The movie shows the granddaughter being patient even when it's hard—when have you had to be patient with someone who needed extra help?"

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