In Like Flynn – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

In Like Flynn

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie2018

38%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

A clunky biographical adventure about young Errol Flynn's treasure-hunting days that even Flynn himself would probably skip.

50%

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In Like Flynn

movie

R, 2018

38%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

A clunky biographical adventure about young Errol Flynn's treasure-hunting days that even Flynn himself would probably skip.

50%

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Screenwise Verdict

Here's the thing: Errol Flynn's actual life was fascinating—swashbuckling actor, alleged spy, notorious womanizer, genuinely adventurous spirit. A movie about his pre-Hollywood treasure-hunting days should be riveting.

This isn't that movie.

With a 5.2 IMDb rating and a dismal 2.9 on Letterboxd, 'In Like Flynn' manages to make one of Hollywood's most colorful figures feel... beige. The 80% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes is baffling compared to every other metric, suggesting maybe some Flynn superfans showed up to vote.

It's rated 17+ for mature content (drinking, sex, general roguish behavior), so it's not for kids anyway. And for adults? There are approximately 10,000 better biographical adventures you could watch instead. The film is available on a bunch of free streaming platforms, which tells you something about its market value.

Unless you're writing a dissertation on Errol Flynn or really, really love mediocre period adventures, this one's a skip.

Age Fit

This is strictly adult fare (17+) due to mature content. Even then, it's a tough sell—the poor ratings suggest most adults would find better ways to spend two hours. Really only for die-hard Errol Flynn fans or people specifically interested in Old Hollywood biographical curiosities.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Period adventure film depicting young Errol Flynn's escapades includes drinking, womanizing, and morally ambiguous treasure-hunting behavior typical of the era and character. While it avoids graphic content, the protagonist's lifestyle and choices aren't particularly positive role models. The tone is light adventure rather than deeply problematic, but it's not modeling cooperation or kindness in meaningful ways.

Imaginative

Based on real events from Errol Flynn's pre-Hollywood life, the film offers some adventure and exotic locales (Australia to Papua New Guinea in the 1930s). However, reviews suggest it's a fairly conventional period adventure without particularly creative storytelling. The 'mostly true' biographical angle provides historical curiosity but execution appears pedestrian based on middling ratings across platforms.

Safe

Common Sense Media rates this for age 17, suggesting mature content. Given Errol Flynn's notorious lifestyle, the film likely includes sexual content, alcohol use, possibly violence, and adult themes. Without an MPAA rating listed but with that CSM age recommendation, parents should expect content inappropriate for younger viewers. The biographical nature means some of Flynn's less savory exploits are probably depicted.

Enriching

Offers a glimpse into 1930s adventure culture and the early life of a Hollywood icon, which has some historical interest. However, with a 5.2 IMDb rating and 2.9 Letterboxd score, audiences found it poorly executed. The film doesn't appear to offer meaningful insights or growth opportunities beyond surface-level period adventure entertainment that it fails to deliver compellingly.

Parent Info

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Why It Might Be Great

Explores the real-life adventures of Hollywood legend Errol Flynn before he became famous
1930s South Pacific setting offers exotic locales and period atmosphere
Audience score on Rotten Tomatoes (80%) suggests some viewers found it entertaining despite critical lukewarm reception
Available on multiple free streaming platforms if you want to check it out without commitment

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What to Watch For

Rated for age 17+ by Common Sense Media—expect adult content including drinking, sexual situations, and morally questionable behavior
Very mixed critical reception with a 5.2 IMDb rating suggests this is far from essential viewing
The film romanticizes a problematic figure known for his excessive lifestyle
May be slow or boring for modern audiences based on low Letterboxd rating (2.9/5)

Conversation Starters

"What do you think motivated people to go on dangerous treasure hunts in the 1930s?"
"How do you think someone's early adventures might shape who they become later in life?"
"The real Errol Flynn was known for both his charm and his problematic behavior—how do we think about historical figures who were complicated people?"

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