Man Down – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Man Down

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie2015

32%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

A gritty, confusing look at PTSD that tries to be a post-apocalyptic thriller but ends up just being a major bummer.

6/10

17%

59%

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Man Down

movie

R, 2015

32%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

A gritty, confusing look at PTSD that tries to be a post-apocalyptic thriller but ends up just being a major bummer.

17%

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6/10

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Screenwise Verdict

Man Down is a mess. It wants to be a profound statement on the mental health of our veterans, but it gets lost in a gimmicky, non-linear plot that feels more confusing than clever.

Critics famously hated it—it literally sold one ticket at the UK box office on its opening weekend—and while Shia LaBeouf gives it his all, the movie is a grueling slog. Unless you're a die-hard fan of the lead actor or specifically interested in how film handles PTSD, this is one you can safely skip. It's not 'bad' because it's old; it's just not a very good movie.

Age Fit

This is strictly for adults or older teens. Between the R-rated violence and the heavy psychological weight, it's not something to put on for family movie night. It's a tough, depressing watch.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

It's a bleak, gritty exploration of war trauma and domestic collapse. There is very little 'wholesome' about a story centered on a soldier’s psychological breakdown and the destruction of his family life.

Imaginative

The film uses a non-linear narrative and a 'post-apocalyptic' hallucination to mirror the protagonist's PTSD. It’s an interesting creative choice, even if critics felt it was poorly executed.

Safe

This is an R-rated film with graphic war violence, intense psychological distress, and heavy language. It is absolutely not intended for children and contains significant triggers regarding mental health and combat.

Enriching

It attempts to shine a light on the reality of PTSD and the struggles veterans face when returning home. While the intentions are noble, the 'twist' format arguably undermines the educational value.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Shia LaBeouf delivers a high-intensity, raw performance that some viewers find genuinely moving.
It attempts to visualize the internal chaos of a soldier’s mind in a way most war movies don't.
The non-linear structure might appeal to viewers who like psychological puzzles and 'twist' endings.

⚠

What to Watch For

Graphic combat sequences and realistic war-related violence.
Deeply upsetting themes of family abandonment and mental illness.
A confusing narrative that jumps between three different timelines, which can be frustrating to follow.

Conversation Starters

"How does the movie use the 'post-apocalyptic' setting to show what's happening in Gabriel's head?"
"Why is it so difficult for some veterans to find the support they need when they return from combat?"
"Did the twist ending make the story feel more impactful to you, or did it feel like a gimmick?"

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