Into the Wild – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Into the Wild

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie2007

62%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Beautiful, haunting, and deeply sad—a young man walks away from everything and into tragedy.

8/10

83%

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Into the Wild

movie

R, 2007

62%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Beautiful, haunting, and deeply sad—a young man walks away from everything and into tragedy.

83%

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8/10

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Screenwise Verdict

Into the Wild is a beautifully made, intellectually rich film that asks hard questions about freedom, connection, and the cost of running away from your life. Sean Penn's direction is masterful, and the performances are haunting.

But this is not an easy watch. It's a tragedy, full stop. Christopher McCandless dies alone in an abandoned bus, slowly starving, having realized too late that "happiness only real when shared." The film doesn't shy away from showing his mistakes or the pain he caused his family.

For mature teens (16+) and adults, especially those drawn to questions about meaning, purpose, and the tension between independence and relationships, this can be a profound experience. Just know what you're getting into: it's heavy, it's sad, and it will stick with you. Not a Friday night popcorn movie, but a film that earns its place in the conversation about what it means to live authentically—and what happens when idealism meets reality.

Age Fit

This is strictly for mature teens (16+) and adults. The R rating, tragic death, nudity, and heavy themes of family estrangement and self-destruction make it inappropriate for younger viewers. For older teens grappling with questions of identity and independence, it can be powerful—but be ready for a gut-punch ending.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

This is a deeply melancholic journey about a young man rejecting society and family, ultimately dying alone in the Alaskan wilderness. While there are moments of human connection and kindness from strangers Christopher meets, the core narrative is about isolation, family estrangement, and self-destruction. The emotional tone is heavy and tragic. Contains nudity (including male frontal nudity), sexual content, and a dysfunctional family dynamic that includes domestic violence in flashbacks. Not emotionally healthy viewing for younger audiences.

Imaginative

Sean Penn's direction is visually stunning, capturing the raw beauty of the American wilderness. The film invites contemplation about alternative ways of living, freedom, and the search for meaning beyond materialism. Eddie Vedder's soundtrack adds a distinctive artistic layer. The storytelling structure—following Christopher's journey through different landscapes and encounters—is compelling and thought-provoking. However, it's more contemplative than actively creative or exploratory in a way that invites participation.

Safe

Rated R for good reason. Contains 13 F-words, nudity (including male frontal nudity in a skinny-dipping scene), sexual content (including a brief sexual encounter), drug use (marijuana), and the disturbing death of the protagonist from starvation. The entire arc leads to a tragic, avoidable death that could be deeply upsetting. Flashbacks show domestic violence and family dysfunction. Common Sense Media rates it 16+. This is absolutely not something a child should stumble upon unexpectedly.

Enriching

This is a powerful meditation on freedom, privilege, self-discovery, and the consequences of idealism taken to extremes. Based on Jon Krakauer's nonfiction book about a real person, it raises profound questions about what we owe to family, the tension between independence and connection, and the romanticization of wilderness. The film doesn't glorify Christopher's choices—his death is shown as tragic and preventable. For mature teens and adults, it offers substantial material for reflection on purpose, relationships, and the danger of unchecked ego. Strong critical reception (83% RT critics, 8.0 IMDb) reflects its artistic and intellectual merit.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Stunning cinematography that captures the raw beauty and danger of wilderness
Raises profound questions about freedom, privilege, family obligations, and the cost of idealism
Doesn't romanticize the protagonist's choices—the ending makes clear his mistakes were fatal
Strong performances and Eddie Vedder's haunting soundtrack create a memorable artistic experience
Based on a true story that has captivated readers and viewers for decades

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What to Watch For

This is R-rated for a reason: nudity, sex, explicit language (13 F-words), marijuana use
The entire film builds to a tragic, lonely death from starvation—deeply upsetting
Flashbacks show domestic violence and family dysfunction that explain but don't excuse Christopher's choices
The protagonist's rejection of his family is painful to watch and may hit hard for teens navigating their own independence
Some viewers find Christopher insufferable and privileged; others see him as a tragic idealist

Conversation Starters

"Do you think Christopher was brave or reckless? What's the difference?"
"Why do you think he felt he needed to completely cut off his family? Could he have found freedom another way?"
"What does the film suggest about the difference between solitude and isolation?"
"Christopher gave away all his money and possessions. What do you think he was searching for?"
"The film shows both the beauty of his journey and the tragedy of his death. What do you think Sean Penn wants us to take away?"

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