Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

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Screenwise Verdict

Here's the truth: Lincoln is an objectively excellent film—masterful direction, career-best performances, and profound insights into American democracy. It's also kind of a slog.

This is Spielberg operating at peak prestige mode, delivering a meticulously researched civics lesson wrapped in Oscar bait. If your teen is genuinely into history, politics, or just appreciates great acting, this is enriching viewing. Day-Lewis is mesmerizing, and the film offers rare nuance about how change actually happens in a democracy.

But let's be real: most kids will find this nearly unwatchable. It's 150 minutes of men in beards arguing about parliamentary procedure. The pacing is deliberate (read: slow), the dialogue is dense with period language, and there's almost no action. Even the 80% Rotten Tomatoes audience score reflects what happens when general audiences encounter a film designed for critics and history teachers.

The WISE score reflects this tension—high marks for wholesomeness and enrichment, but the imaginative score is low (it's a historical reenactment, not a creative work), and the overall score is dragged down by pure watchability. This isn't a movie kids will choose; it's one they'll be assigned. And that's fine! Some of the best educational experiences aren't fun in the moment.

If you're homeschooling or doing a Civil War unit, queue this up. Otherwise, maybe wait until they're in AP US History and can appreciate what they're seeing.

Age Fit

Best for mature 13+ teens with genuine interest in history or politics. Younger kids will be bored senseless by the endless parliamentary procedure, and even engaged teens need to be in the right headspace for a 2.5-hour talky period piece.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

78

Models principled leadership, civil discourse, and moral courage during America's darkest hour. Depicts Lincoln's patience, empathy, and political savvy without glorifying war. Some wartime violence and period-appropriate language, but overall tone is measured and dignified. Strong family dynamics shown, though emotionally heavy themes of loss and national division.

Imaginative

52

This is a meticulously crafted period drama that prioritizes historical accuracy and political intrigue over creative storytelling. Spielberg's direction is masterful, but the film is essentially a series of parliamentary debates and backroom negotiations. Little to inspire creative play or exploration—it's a talky, cerebral history lesson. Not imaginative in the sense of sparking wonder or invention.

Safe

72

Common Sense Media rates it 13+. Contains brief Civil War battlefield violence (wounded soldiers, amputated limbs shown), some period-accurate racial slurs in historical context, and emotionally intense scenes about death and national trauma. No sexual content, minimal profanity. The violence isn't gratuitous but could be disturbing. No surprise content—it's exactly what you'd expect from a serious Civil War drama.

Enriching

88

Exceptional educational value about the 13th Amendment, political compromise, and moral leadership. Daniel Day-Lewis's performance offers deep insight into Lincoln's character. Explores complex themes: democracy's messiness, the cost of progress, racial justice, and ethical leadership. Strong critical reception (89% RT, 87 Metacritic) reflects its intellectual depth. However, enrichment requires engagement—kids who zone out during dialogue-heavy scenes won't absorb much.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Daniel Day-Lewis delivers one of cinema's greatest performances—this IS Lincoln, not just an actor playing him
Shows how democracy actually works: messy compromises, backroom deals, and the grinding work of changing minds one vote at a time
Incredible window into the moral complexity of leadership—Lincoln isn't perfect, and the film doesn't pretend he is
Educational gold for teens studying the Civil War era or interested in politics and government
Demonstrates that progress requires patience, strategy, and sometimes getting your hands dirty

⚠

What to Watch For

Opening Civil War battle scene shows wounded soldiers and a pile of amputated limbs—brief but graphic
Period-accurate racial slurs used in historical context during congressional debates
Emotionally heavy—deals with death, grief, and the weight of sending men to die for a cause
150 minutes of mostly people talking in rooms—this is NOT an action movie, and modern kids will likely struggle with the pacing
Requires baseline knowledge of Civil War history to fully appreciate the stakes

Conversation Starters

"Lincoln had to convince people who disagreed with him instead of just forcing them. When have you had to change someone's mind about something important?"
"The movie shows Lincoln making political deals that seem sketchy to pass the 13th Amendment. Do you think the ends justified the means?"
"Why do you think it was so hard to get people to vote to end slavery, even in the North?"
"Lincoln knew the war was killing thousands but kept it going to end slavery. How do you weigh those kinds of impossible choices?"
"What surprised you most about how Lincoln actually acted versus what you learned in school?"

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