Nomadland – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Nomadland

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie2021

58%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Oscar-winning meditation on van life and economic despair—beautiful, but about as kid-friendly as a tax audit.

93%

7.2

→

Nomadland

movie

2021

58%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Oscar-winning meditation on van life and economic despair—beautiful, but about as kid-friendly as a tax audit.

93%

7.2

Jump to

Also rated on

93%

7.2

View →

Where to Watch

Loading streaming options...

Where-to-watch data byJustWatch

Screenwise Verdict

Let's be honest: this is not a movie for kids. It's barely a movie for most adults. Nomadland is a stunning, award-winning meditation on grief, aging, and economic precarity—but it moves at the speed of continental drift and has zero plot hooks for young viewers.

If you have a high schooler taking AP English or interested in social justice documentaries, this could spark incredible conversations about inequality and resilience. The cinematography is breathtaking, and Frances McDormand's performance is masterful.

But for 99% of families? This is the movie you put on when you want your teen to appreciate that Marvel films have plots. It's enriching in the way eating kale is enriching—technically good for you, but nobody's excited about it. Save this for college film studies courses.

Age Fit

Best for mature 16+ teens studying film, social issues, or economics. Younger viewers will be profoundly bored, and the themes are too heavy and abstract for middle schoolers to engage with meaningfully.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Quietly contemplative drama that models resilience, community, and finding meaning after loss. Pacing is deliberately slow and meditative—not chaotic—but the emotional tone deals with grief, economic hardship, and aging. Shows kindness among nomad communities and cooperation, though themes of loss and loneliness are central.

Imaginative

Offers a window into an unconventional lifestyle and the vast American West, inviting viewers to consider alternative ways of living. However, it's more observational documentary-style realism than creative world-building or fantastical exploration. Limited invitation for active creative expression—it's contemplative rather than imaginative.

Safe

No graphic violence, gore, or sexual content based on the drama genre and synopsis. Likely PG-13 territory with mature themes of economic collapse, death of spouse (implied), and the hardships of aging and poverty. Some brief profanity and potentially a scene with nudity (skinny-dipping) are possible in indie adult dramas. No jump scares or traumatic surprise content, but the emotional weight of loss and financial ruin could be heavy for younger viewers.

Enriching

Award-winning prestige drama (won multiple Oscars including Best Picture, Director, Actress) that offers deep insight into economic inequality, aging, resilience, and finding community in unconventional places. Builds empathy for marginalized populations and challenges conventional life narratives. Meaningful takeaways about loss, adaptation, and human connection. However, entertainment value is low for most audiences—it's a slow, contemplative art film.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Won Best Picture and showcases incredible acting and cinematography of the American West
Builds profound empathy for people living on society's margins—great for discussing economic inequality
Models resilience and community-building in the face of devastating loss
Offers a counter-narrative to conventional success stories—valuable for teens questioning life paths

⚠

What to Watch For

Glacially paced—even adults who love prestige cinema find this one a slow burn
Heavy themes of grief, poverty, aging, and death throughout; emotionally challenging
Essentially zero appeal for anyone under 16; even mature teens may find it boring
Not entertainment—this is homework disguised as a movie

Conversation Starters

"What do you think makes a life successful? Does Fern seem happy with her choices?"
"How did the 2008 recession affect people differently? Why did some end up living in vans?"
"Would you ever want to live a nomadic lifestyle? What would be hard about it?"
"How does Fern find community even though she's constantly moving?"

Ask Anything

Get a personalized guide on any topic