Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

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Screenwise Verdict

Look, this is a Holocaust movie. You're not putting it on for family movie night, and your 10-year-old shouldn't stumble into it while browsing Netflix.

That said, for teens 13+ who are studying WWII or the Holocaust in school, this offers a genuinely fresh angle—seeing Anne Frank through her best friend's eyes makes the familiar story feel more personal and less like required reading. The friendship element is smart: it shows these were real kids with inside jokes and crushes, not just historical figures.

The problem? Mixed reviews suggest the execution doesn't quite match the ambition. At 6.3 on IMDb and 63% on Rotten Tomatoes, critics found it uneven—sometimes powerful, sometimes melodramatic. It's not Schindler's List or even The Boy in the Striped Pajamas in terms of cinematic achievement.

Bottom line: This is educational medicine, not entertainment. If your teen is studying the Holocaust, it's a worthwhile companion piece to Anne's diary. But it's heavy, sad, and you'll need to be ready for tough conversations afterward. Watch together, have tissues ready, and maybe prep some historical context first.

Age Fit

This is firmly 13+ territory—middle schoolers studying the Holocaust who have the emotional maturity to process genocide, death, and intense suffering. Not for younger kids, even mature ones. Adults will find it educational but the middling reviews suggest it's more 'important' than 'excellent.'

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

65

The film centers on friendship, loyalty, and resilience during the Holocaust. While emotionally heavy and dealing with profound tragedy, it models compassion and human connection in the darkest circumstances. The pacing is measured and appropriate for the subject matter, though the emotional weight is significant. Not chaotic or exploitative, but definitely somber.

Imaginative

58

The film takes a familiar historical story (Anne Frank) and reimagines it through Hannah Goslar's perspective, which offers a fresh lens. However, it's constrained by historical accuracy and doesn't invite much creative exploration or building from viewers. It's more interpretive than truly imaginative—a biographical drama rather than something that sparks curiosity or creative expression.

Safe

45

This is Holocaust content depicting concentration camps, family separation, death, and intense suffering. While not gratuitously violent or gory, it includes scenes of Nazi brutality, children in mortal danger, and the death of beloved characters including Anne Frank herself. Common Sense Media rates it 13+. This is emotionally intense material with significant trigger potential around genocide, antisemitism, and child endangerment. Not something a young child could stumble into without serious emotional impact.

Enriching

78

Exceptionally enriching for the right age group. Teaches critical history about the Holocaust through a personal, humanizing lens. Builds empathy, historical literacy, and understanding of prejudice and persecution. The friendship angle makes Anne Frank's story more accessible and relatable. Meaningful takeaways about courage, memory, and bearing witness. However, it's heavy educational content rather than entertainment—this is medicine, not candy.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Offers a fresh perspective on Anne Frank's story by centering her childhood friend Hannah Goslar, making familiar history feel personal and new
Humanizes Holocaust victims as real kids with friendships, dreams, and inside jokes—not just statistics or diary entries
Strong educational value for teens studying WWII, with historical accuracy and emotional authenticity
The friendship angle provides an accessible entry point into difficult history, showing how ordinary relationships were destroyed by genocide

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What to Watch For

This is heavy Holocaust content: concentration camps, family separation, death of main characters including Anne herself—emotionally intense and potentially traumatic
Not entertainment—this is serious historical drama that requires emotional readiness and probably some historical context beforehand
Mixed reviews (63% critics, 6.3 IMDb) suggest the execution might be uneven; some viewers found it melodramatic or not as powerful as the subject deserves
Best watched as part of Holocaust education curriculum, not casual Friday night viewing

Conversation Starters

"Hannah survived and Anne didn't—how do you think Hannah felt carrying Anne's story for the rest of her life?"
"The girls were just normal kids before the Nazis came. What does that teach us about how quickly things can change?"
"Why do you think it's important to keep telling Holocaust stories, even when they're painful to watch?"
"Hannah had to make impossible choices to survive. What would you want someone to remember about you if you were in her position?"

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My Best Friend Anne Frank