Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

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Screenwise Verdict

Here's the thing: Orbiter 9 has a genuinely intriguing premise that should work. Woman raised alone in space for 20 years meets engineer who reveals everything is not what it seems? That's a solid setup.

But that 26-point gap between critic and audience scores on Rotten Tomatoes is screaming something important: this movie doesn't deliver. A 2.7/5 on Letterboxd means even film enthusiasts found it forgettable. It's slow, the twist is apparently telegraphed, and the execution just doesn't match the potential.

For families, the bigger issue is that the themes are genuinely dark—lifelong deception, manipulation, ethically questionable science—without being particularly enriching because the movie itself is just... not that good. You're left with heavy topics and no payoff.

If your teen is really into sci-fi and you've exhausted better options, maybe. But there are dozens of better choices that explore similar themes (Ex Machina, Moon, Arrival) without the slog. This one's a pass unless you're a completist or really committed to international sci-fi.

Age Fit

Best for older teens (15+) who can handle psychological manipulation themes and won't be bored by slow-paced sci-fi. The ethical complexity requires maturity, but honestly, the mediocre ratings suggest most teens would rather watch something else anyway.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

35

Spanish sci-fi thriller built on deception and manipulation. Helena has been lied to her entire life about her circumstances, and the emotional tone is dark and isolating rather than uplifting. The relationship that develops is ethically complicated given the power dynamics and deception involved. Not modeling healthy cooperation or kindness—more about survival and betrayal.

Imaginative

62

The premise of someone raised entirely in isolation on a spacecraft offers an interesting thought experiment about reality and truth. The sci-fi concept has some originality, though it's not breaking new ground in the genre. The twist about her situation invites philosophical questions, but the execution is reportedly pedestrian based on middling audience scores.

Safe

48

Common Sense Media rates it 13+, suggesting mature content. Spanish sci-fi thrillers typically include adult themes, and given the premise involves a young woman in isolation meeting a male engineer who 'turns her world upside down,' there are likely romantic/sexual elements. The psychological manipulation and revelation of lifelong deception could be disturbing. Without explicit content details, marking this as borderline unsafe for younger viewers.

Enriching

45

Could spark discussions about ethics, reality, and what we believe versus what's true. However, with a 41% audience score on RT and 5.9/10 on IMDb, viewers clearly found it underwhelming. A 2.7/5 on Letterboxd is particularly damning—that's 'meh' territory. The philosophical potential is undermined by apparently weak execution, making it more frustrating than enlightening.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Interesting premise about reality, truth, and what happens when everything you know is a lie—good fodder for philosophical teens
Spanish sci-fi is relatively rare, offering something different from the usual Hollywood formula
Could spark meaningful discussions about ethics in science and the morality of deception 'for the greater good'

⚠

What to Watch For

The 41% audience score and 5.9 IMDb rating tell you what you need to know—critics liked it more than actual viewers did
Themes of lifelong deception and psychological manipulation are heavy and potentially disturbing
Likely contains mature romantic/sexual content given the premise and 13+ rating
The twist might be predictable if your teen has watched any sci-fi before

Conversation Starters

"If you found out your entire life had been a lie, how would you react? What would you do first?"
"Is it ever okay to deceive someone 'for their own good' or for a greater purpose?"
"What does it mean to truly know reality versus just believing what you're told?"
"How would growing up completely alone shape who you are as a person?"

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