Looper

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie2012

52%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Smart time-travel thriller where hitmen assassinate targets sent from the future—until you have to kill your older self.

7.4/10

93%

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Looper

movie

R, 2012

52%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Smart time-travel thriller where hitmen assassinate targets sent from the future—until you have to kill your older self.

7.4

93%

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7.4/10

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Screenwise Verdict

Looper is one of the better original sci-fi thrillers of the 2010s—smart, well-acted, and genuinely thought-provoking about identity and consequence. The time-travel mechanics are clever enough to reward close attention, and it doesn't insult your intelligence.

But let's be clear: this is absolutely not for kids or even young teens. The violence is graphic and sometimes disturbing (that body-mutilation scene is rough), the tone is relentlessly dark, and the moral questions are adult-level complex. Common Sense Media says 16+, but honestly 17+ feels more appropriate.

For older teens who love sci-fi and can handle mature content, or for adults looking for smart genre filmmaking, this is worth your time. It holds up well and doesn't feel dated despite being from 2012. Just make sure younger siblings are nowhere near the screen.

Age Fit

This is for older teens (17+) and adults only. The violence is intense and graphic, the themes are dark and morally complex, and there's content that would be genuinely disturbing for younger viewers. If your high schooler loves smart sci-fi and can handle hard-R content, this is a solid pick.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Dark, violent thriller centered on assassination and mob hits. Features a protagonist who kills for a living, morally complex choices around murdering one's future self, and themes of addiction (the main character has substance abuse issues). The emotional tone is bleak and cynical rather than uplifting. Not modeling positive relationships or cooperation—it's survival and self-interest.

Imaginative

Genuinely clever time-travel premise that plays with causality in interesting ways. The 'closing the loop' concept is original enough to spark real curiosity about paradoxes and consequences. The world-building is solid—a gritty 2044 with telekinesis as a casual detail, and 2074 as an unseen but felt presence. It asks you to think through the mechanics and moral implications, which is more than most sci-fi action does.

Safe

R-rated violence throughout including graphic shootings, a disturbing scene where a character's body parts disappear as his past is altered (mutilation), child in danger, suicide, drug use, and some sexuality. Common Sense Media pegs it at 16+. This is absolutely not something a younger kid should stumble into—the violence is intense and there are genuinely upsetting moments. It's a hard R.

Enriching

Raises legitimate philosophical questions about identity, sacrifice, and whether we're the same person across time. The time-travel mechanics force you to think causally. The ending presents a genuine moral dilemma with no easy answer. Bruce Willis and Joseph Gordon-Levitt both deliver strong performances. It's thought-provoking sci-fi that respects its audience's intelligence, even if it's wrapped in violence. Not life-changing, but it'll stick with you.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Genuinely clever sci-fi premise that plays with time paradoxes in ways that'll make your brain hurt (in a good way)
Strong performances from Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Bruce Willis as the same character at different ages
Raises real philosophical questions about identity and sacrifice—this isn't just shoot-em-up sci-fi
Critically acclaimed (93% on Rotten Tomatoes, 84 Metacritic) and holds up well since 2012
The kind of original mid-budget sci-fi that Hollywood barely makes anymore

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What to Watch For

Hard R rating for graphic violence including a deeply disturbing body-mutilation scene
Dark themes: assassination, drug addiction, suicide, child in mortal danger
Bleak tone throughout—this is noir sci-fi, not adventure
Some sexuality and strong language
Absolutely not appropriate for anyone under 16, probably better for 17+

Conversation Starters

"If you could meet your future self, what would you want to ask them? What if they wanted something from you that you didn't want to give?"
"The movie asks whether you're the same person at 25 and 55. What do you think—are we the same person across our whole life?"
"Joe makes a huge sacrifice at the end. Do you think it was the right choice? What would you have done?"
"How do you think time travel would actually work if it were possible? Would changing the past change your present instantly?"

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Looper – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise