Inventing Anna – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Inventing Anna

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

show2022

54%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

A glittery, high-stakes deep dive into the girl who scammed New York, proving that 'fake it 'til you make it' is a dangerous lifestyle choice.

64%

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Inventing Anna

show

2022

54%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

A glittery, high-stakes deep dive into the girl who scammed New York, proving that 'fake it 'til you make it' is a dangerous lifestyle choice.

64%

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64%

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Screenwise Verdict

It’s classic Shonda Rhimes: glossy, fast-paced, and deeply addictive, even if it feels a little too sympathetic toward a person who was ultimately just a liar. Julia Garner’s performance is polarizing but mesmerizing.

If you're looking for a 'wholesome' experience, keep moving. But if you want to dissect how the modern 'influencer' era allows people to hack their way into rooms they don't belong in, this is the definitive case study. Just be prepared for the fact that the show is about two hours longer than it needs to be.

Age Fit

This is strictly for older teens (16+) and adults. The themes of financial fraud, social engineering, and the TV-MA content make it a non-starter for younger kids, but it's a solid watch for a high schooler interested in psychology or business.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

The entire premise is built on deception, manipulation, and social climbing. While the protagonist is charismatic, she's a convicted fraudster, and the show often blurs the line between 'girlboss' ambition and criminal behavior.

Imaginative

The show uses a creative narrative structure, jumping between the journalist's investigation and Anna's various 'lives.' It vividly recreates the high-glamour, high-stakes world of New York's elite with style.

Safe

Rated TV-MA for a reason. Expect heavy profanity, some sexual situations, and drug use. It's safe for its intended adult audience, but not something you want a middle-schooler stumbling into without context.

Enriching

It offers a fascinating look at the power of personal branding and the vulnerabilities of the traditional financial and social systems. It's a great conversation starter about media literacy and the 'fake it till you make it' culture.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Media literacy masterclass on how social media can be used to construct a totally false reality that even 'smart' people buy into.
Class critique that exposes how easily the elite can be fooled by the right clothes, a confident accent, and a bit of audacity.
Journalistic procedural elements show the legwork and ethics involved in breaking a major story, which is actually the show's strongest thread.

⚠

What to Watch For

Frequent strong language (f-bombs) and adult themes are baked into every episode.
The show glamorizes the hustle—Anna is often framed as a genius visionary rather than a con artist, which can be confusing for younger viewers.
There are several sexual scenes and depictions of drug/alcohol use that fit the high-society party vibe but aren't for kids.

Conversation Starters

"Why did so many smart, wealthy people believe Anna's story without checking her background?"
"Is there a difference between 'personal branding' and flat-out lying?"
"Do you think the show makes Anna look like a hero or a villain?"
"How does social media make it easier for people to pretend to be someone they aren't?"

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