I Like It Like That – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

I Like It Like That

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie1994

38%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Gritty 90s Bronx romance with authentic cultural flavor but heavy R-rated content that hasn't aged gracefully.

6.7/10

89%

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I Like It Like That

movie

R, 1994

38%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Gritty 90s Bronx romance with authentic cultural flavor but heavy R-rated content that hasn't aged gracefully.

6.7

89%

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6.7/10

89%

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Screenwise Verdict

Here's the deal: I Like It Like That was groundbreaking in 1994 for its authentic portrayal of Puerto Rican Bronx life and ahead of its time with LGBTQ+ representation. Critics loved it then, and the 89% RT score reflects genuine artistic merit.

But let's be real—this is a rough watch in 2025. The explicit sex scenes, kids getting hit with belts, gun violence, and relationship dysfunction are all R-rated adult content. More importantly, the 90s indie production feels dated and slow by modern standards. It's the kind of movie film students might appreciate for its cultural significance, but most people will find it hard to connect with.

If you're an adult interested in authentic working-class stories or the history of Latino representation in American cinema, it's worth your time. For everyone else? There are better ways to spend two hours, and this is absolutely not something to watch with kids around.

Age Fit

This is strictly adult content rated 17+ by Common Sense Media. The explicit sex, violence against children, and mature relationship dysfunction make it inappropriate for teens. Even for adults, the dated production and heavy content make it a tough watch unless you're specifically interested in 90s indie cinema or cultural representation.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Features a married couple navigating real relationship struggles and money issues, but undermined by domestic violence (belt-hitting children in multiple scenes), a shooting attempt, and a woman hitting her husband with a plunger. The relationship models dysfunction more than healthy conflict resolution, though there's genuine love underneath the chaos.

Imaginative

A slice-of-life drama about working-class Bronx life in the 90s offers cultural specificity and authentic storytelling, but it's grounded realism rather than creative exploration. The film doesn't invite imaginative engagement or curiosity-building—it's observational drama.

Safe

R-rated content includes extended vigorous sex scenes, implied oral sex, passionate kissing throughout, children being hit with a belt (twice), gun violence with shooting attempt, attack on a transgender character with visible blood, profanity throughout, and alcohol/drug content. Multiple surprise elements that would be inappropriate for younger viewers.

Enriching

Offers authentic representation of Puerto Rican family life in the Bronx, economic struggles, gender dynamics, and features a transgender character in 1994—ahead of its time. The 89% critic score and 91% audience score suggest meaningful storytelling about class, marriage, and survival. But it's more observational than transformative, and the dated production makes it hard to connect with today.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Groundbreaking representation of Puerto Rican family life and economic struggles in the Bronx
Featured a transgender character in 1994, which was rare and progressive for mainstream cinema
Strong critical reception (89% RT critics, 91% audience) suggests genuine emotional resonance
Honest portrayal of marriage, money stress, and working-class survival without Hollywood gloss

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What to Watch For

Extended explicit sex scenes including implied oral sex—definitely not a family movie night pick
Children being hit with a belt in multiple scenes, plus gun violence and physical altercations
Heavy profanity throughout and mature relationship dysfunction
1994 production values and pacing make it feel slow and dated by 2025 standards
Available on free streaming (Tubi, Roku) which means ad interruptions

Conversation Starters

"How do you think money stress affects relationships? What are healthier ways couples could handle financial problems?"
"The movie shows some pretty rough parenting. What do you think about physical discipline versus other consequences?"
"This film was progressive for showing LGBTQ+ characters in 1994. How has representation changed since then?"

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