Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

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Screenwise Verdict

Look, this is peak Adam Sandler comfort food—silly voices, pratfalls, and a whole town being inexplicably cruel to a sweet guy who just wants to help. The Halloween setting is fun, and there's a decent message about kindness buried in there, but you'll have to wade through a lot of crude humor and uncomfortable bullying to get to it.

The TMDB score of 5.9/10 tells you what you need to know: it's fine. Not great, not terrible, just... fine. If your family enjoys Sandler's brand of comedy and wants something Halloween-themed that won't give anyone nightmares, this fits the bill. But if you're hoping for something clever, enriching, or particularly memorable, keep scrolling.

The biggest issue is the tone—watching an entire community mock and belittle someone for 90 minutes isn't exactly wholesome, even if they all learn a lesson at the end. It's the kind of movie that works for a lazy Halloween night when you want background noise and some laughs, but it's not going to spark meaningful conversations or stick with anyone long-term.

Age Fit

Best for kids 10-14 who can handle persistent bullying as a plot device and appreciate silly Sandler humor. Younger kids might find the mockery upsetting, while older teens will likely find it too juvenile and predictable.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

68

Adam Sandler's Hubie is a devoted, kind-hearted character who's relentlessly mocked by his entire town but remains optimistic and helpful. The core message about standing up for the underdog and treating people with kindness is solid. However, the humor leans heavily on mockery and mean-spirited bullying of the main character (even if it's eventually redeemed), which can feel uncomfortable and not entirely age-appropriate in tone. The pacing is typical Sandler—silly, sometimes chaotic, with juvenile humor that doesn't always model the best behavior.

Imaginative

52

It's a Halloween mystery with some creative set pieces in Salem, but the plot is fairly predictable and formulaic—classic Sandler comedy structure with a spooky twist. There's little that invites genuine creativity or exploration; it's more about watching goofy scenarios unfold than sparking imagination. The Halloween setting offers some visual fun, but nothing particularly original or thought-provoking. Kids won't be inspired to build, create, or think differently after watching.

Safe

72

For a Halloween movie, it's relatively tame—PG-13 territory with mild scares, no gore, no nudity, and no graphic violence. The 'horror' elements are played for laughs rather than genuine fear. However, there's persistent bullying throughout (kids and adults mocking Hubie), some crude humor, and mild language that might catch parents off-guard. The bullying is eventually addressed, but it's pervasive enough to warrant a heads-up. No surprise traumatic content, but the mean-spirited tone in the first two acts might be uncomfortable for sensitive kids.

Enriching

48

The takeaway about kindness and not judging people is there, but it's buried under layers of juvenile humor and slapstick. There's minimal cognitive challenge, limited character depth, and the resolution feels rushed and unearned. It's entertaining in a turn-your-brain-off way, but doesn't offer much for personal growth, skill-building, or meaningful discussion. The TMDB rating of 5.9/10 suggests even audiences found it middling. It's comfort-food comedy—fine for a Halloween night, but not particularly nourishing.

Parent Info

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Why It Might Be Great

Celebrates the underdog and delivers a genuine message about kindness and acceptance (eventually)
Halloween setting in Salem is visually fun with costumes, decorations, and spooky atmosphere without being truly scary
Sandler's Hubie is earnest and well-meaning, modeling persistence and community devotion despite constant ridicule
Harmless family entertainment for a Halloween movie night when you want something silly and not too intense

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What to Watch For

Relentless bullying of the main character by both kids and adults throughout most of the movie—it's played for laughs but can feel mean-spirited
Typical Sandler crude humor: bodily function jokes, silly voices, and juvenile gags that won't be everyone's cup of tea
Mild Halloween scares and spooky moments (fake-outs, mysterious figures) but nothing that'll cause nightmares
The positive message about not judging people feels somewhat rushed and tacked on at the end

Conversation Starters

"Why do you think people in the town kept being mean to Hubie even though he was trying to help?"
"Have you ever seen someone get picked on for being different? How did it make you feel?"
"What would you do if you were the only person who noticed something was wrong and no one believed you?"
"Do you think the town really learned their lesson at the end, or will they go back to being mean?"

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