Kiss the Girls

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie1997

22%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Morgan Freeman hunts a serial killer in a 90s thriller that's way too dark for family movie night.

6.6/10

35%

62%

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Kiss the Girls

movie

R, 1997

22%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Morgan Freeman hunts a serial killer in a 90s thriller that's way too dark for family movie night.

6.6

35%

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6.6/10

35%

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Screenwise Verdict

Look, if you're looking for a family-friendly detective story, this is not it. This is the kind of movie that gave people nightmares in 1997 and it hasn't softened with age.

It's a middle-of-the-road thriller that's better than a lot of the junk on Netflix today, but it’s essentially 'adults-only' territory. The plot is a bit of a mess towards the end, and honestly, if you've seen 'Seven' or 'Silence of the Lambs,' this will feel like a diet version of those—just with more 90s windbreakers.

Bottom line: Keep the kids far away from this one. It's a 'wait until they're in college' kind of film.

Age Fit

This is strictly for adults and maybe very mature older teens. It's a heavy R-rated thriller with themes that would be traumatizing for younger kids.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

This is a movie about a serial killer who abducts 'strong-willed' women to force them into a harem of submission. It's the opposite of wholesome; it's predatory and dark.

Imaginative

It follows the standard 90s gritty thriller blueprint. While the 'collector' concept is creepy, it doesn't push any creative boundaries or invite much curiosity beyond 'who is the killer?'

Safe

Massive safety red flags for anyone under 17. It deals with kidnapping, sexual threat, and psychological torture. Common Sense Media flags it as 18+ for a reason.

Enriching

You get to see a competent forensic psychologist at work, which is a cool career look, but the movie prioritizes cheap thrills over any real intellectual or ethical depth.

Parent Info

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Why It Might Be Great

Morgan Freeman brings his usual gravitas to the role of Alex Cross.
Ashley Judd plays a survivor who actually fights back, which is a refreshing change for the genre.
It's a decent time capsule of 1990s 'neo-noir' filmmaking if you're a fan of that era's specific grit.

⚠

What to Watch For

The entire plot revolves around 'Casanova' kidnapping and terrorizing women.
There are scenes of women being held in underground cells that are claustrophobic and disturbing.
Extreme psychological tension and jump scares that are definitely not for the faint of heart.

Conversation Starters

"Why do you think Alex Cross is so much more effective than the local police in this story?"
"How does Kate's background as a doctor/athlete help her survive a situation where others didn't?"
"Is the 'psychological thriller' genre meant to entertain us or warn us about real-world dangers?"

Stills