Lamya's Poem – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Lamya's Poem

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie2021

68%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Syrian refugee girl meets young Rumi through magical poetry portal—heavy themes wrapped in animation that aims high but lands uneven.

6/10

90%

→

Lamya's Poem

movie

PG, 2021

68%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Syrian refugee girl meets young Rumi through magical poetry portal—heavy themes wrapped in animation that aims high but lands uneven.

90%

Jump to

Also rated on

6/10

90%

View →

Where to Watch

Loading streaming options...

Where-to-watch data byJustWatch

Screenwise Verdict

Lamya's Poem has its heart absolutely in the right place. It's trying to do something important: connect kids to the refugee experience, introduce them to Rumi, and show that war and displacement aren't new problems. The animation is serviceable, the concept is genuinely creative, and the themes are valuable.

But here's the thing—it's a tough sit. The 90% critic score reflects critics appreciating what it's trying to do, while the 64% audience score and 6.0 IMDb rating tell you that in practice, it's underwhelming. Multiple reviewers used words like "harmless" and "not quite enough." It's the kind of movie that feels like homework disguised as entertainment.

If you have a kid who's curious about refugees, poetry, or Middle Eastern history, this could spark good conversations. But if you're looking for a family movie night that will actually engage everyone, this probably isn't it. It's more "educational with good intentions" than "genuinely compelling viewing."

Age Fit

Best for ages 10-14 who can handle emotionally complex themes about war, loss, and displacement. The Common Sense Media age of 9 feels optimistic—this is more middle school territory, and even then, it's a tough watch that requires emotional maturity.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Models empathy, forgiveness, and cross-cultural connection through the refugee experience. Deals with heavy themes (war, loss, grief, anger, desire for revenge) in an age-appropriate animated format, though emotionally complex. Positive messaging about finding common ground and healing, but the weight of the subject matter—losing a father to war—is genuinely heavy.

Imaginative

Creative premise that uses Rumi's poetry as a magical gateway connecting a modern Syrian refugee girl with the young 13th-century poet when he was also fleeing war. The parallel storytelling across three narrative tracks is ambitious and original. Blends history, literature, and animation in a way that invites curiosity about poetry and shared human experiences across time.

Safe

No inappropriate content for kids (no gore, nudity, or language), but the emotional intensity is significant. The film depicts war violence that caused the death of Lamya's father, themes of revenge, and the trauma of being a refugee. Common Sense Media rates it for age 9+, and one reviewer suggested PG-13 would be more appropriate. This isn't a surprise-scary situation, but parents should know this is emotionally heavy and deals with real-world violence and loss.

Enriching

Introduces kids to Rumi's poetry, the refugee experience, and the cyclical nature of history's conflicts. Builds empathy for displaced people and explores complex themes of forgiveness, anger, and healing. The historical parallel between modern Syria and 13th-century conflicts is genuinely educational. Strong potential for meaningful family discussions about war, displacement, and finding hope in dark times.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Introduces kids to Rumi's poetry and the idea that literature can connect us across centuries
Builds genuine empathy for refugees by showing both modern and historical displacement
Tackles forgiveness and letting go of revenge in a way that respects the complexity of grief
Creative parallel storytelling structure that's ambitious for a family animated film
No sanitizing: treats the refugee experience with emotional honesty rather than Disney-fying it

⚠

What to Watch For

This is emotionally heavy—Lamya's father dies in war violence, and she grapples with anger and thoughts of revenge
The three-track narrative can be confusing for younger kids who aren't ready for non-linear storytelling
Despite good intentions, some critics found it underwhelming and not quite landing its ambitious goals
The 90% critic score vs 64% audience score gap suggests it plays better as a 'worthy' film than an engaging one

Conversation Starters

"Why do you think the movie connected Lamya with Rumi when he was young instead of when he was old and famous?"
"Have you ever felt really angry at someone who hurt you? How did Lamya deal with wanting revenge?"
"What do you think it would be like to have to leave your home and everything you know because of war?"
"The movie shows that people have been refugees for hundreds and hundreds of years. Why do you think that keeps happening?"

Ask Anything

Get a personalized guide on any topic