Is it really okay for an 11 or 12-year-old?

Content-wise, yes. There's some brief sensuality and a tragic accident, but nothing 'unsafe.' The real barrier is the maturity required to appreciate a 67-year-old man reflecting on his life. Most 11-year-olds will find it about as exciting as watching paint dry.

Is there a lot of violence?

No. There is a singular, pivotal accident involving a gun in the past timeline, and some physical labor/scuffles, but it is not an 'action' movie by any stretch.

Do we need to read the book first?

Not at all. The film is very faithful to the book's atmosphere. However, if your kid liked the book, the movie is a great visual companion. If they haven't read it, the movie might actually inspire them to pick up some more literary fiction.

Is it dubbed or subtitled?

It is primarily in Norwegian. Most streaming platforms like Hulu or Apple TV offer it with English subtitles. Check your specific platform settings, as a dubbed version is rare for this type of indie drama.

Out Stealing Horses – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Out Stealing Horses

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie2019

68%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

A stunning, slow-burn Norwegian drama about the secrets we keep and the summers that define us.

71%

→

Out Stealing Horses

movie

12, 2019

68%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

A stunning, slow-burn Norwegian drama about the secrets we keep and the summers that define us.

71%

Jump to

Also rated on

71%

View →

Where to Watch

Loading streaming options...

Where-to-watch data byJustWatch

Screenwise Verdict

Out Stealing Horses is the cinematic equivalent of a long, cold walk in the woods. It’s beautiful and restorative, but you have to be in the right headspace for it. This isn't a family movie night pick for a Friday evening after a long week; it's a 'Sunday afternoon with a teenager who likes to talk about big ideas' pick.

The film excels at showing how the decisions parents make ripple through their children's lives for decades. It’s a heavy lift emotionally, and the non-linear structure requires you to actually pay attention. If you’ve got a kid who loved the book or is starting to get into international cinema, this is a top-tier recommendation. If you’re looking for 'entertainment' in the traditional sense, you’ll probably find yourself scrolling on your phone halfway through.

Age Fit

Best for 13 and up. While there isn't much 'objectionable' content for an 11-year-old, the 50% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes screams 'this is too slow for most kids.' It's a movie for teenagers who appreciate literature or quiet, atmospheric cinema.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

It is a grounded, emotionally heavy drama about family and aging. While it models deep reflection and the complexity of father-son bonds, the tone is melancholic and focuses heavily on betrayal.

Imaginative

The film uses a non-linear narrative to explore memory, which is stylistically interesting, but it remains a realistic period piece without much in the way of creative world-building or play.

Safe

No major red flags for older kids, but it deals with heavy emotional trauma, a fatal accident involving a firearm, and the thematic weight of a parent abandoning their family.

Enriching

Excellent for developing empathy and understanding the long-term impact of childhood events. It is a 'thinker' that rewards patience with deep insights into human regret and resilience.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Visual Storytelling that uses the Norwegian landscape as a character in its own right, making it a feast for the eyes.
Stellan Skarsgård delivers a powerhouse, understated performance that anchors the emotional weight of the 1999 timeline.
Literary Depth that stays true to the acclaimed Per Petterson novel, offering a rich experience for kids who prefer stories with 'interiority' over explosions.
Coming-of-Age Realism that doesn't sugarcoat the transition from 15-year-old innocence to the harsh realities of adult choices.

⚠

What to Watch For

The pacing is extremely deliberate. If your kid isn't used to subtitles and long shots of trees, they will likely check out in the first twenty minutes.
There is a tragic accident involving a gun early in the 1948 flashback that is brief but emotionally jarring.
Themes of parental abandonment and marital betrayal are the core of the plot, which might be a lot to process for kids currently dealing with family friction.

Conversation Starters

"Why do you think Trond chose to live in total solitude as an older man?"
"How did the events of that one summer in 1948 change the way Trond looked at his father?"
"Do you think it's possible to truly 'prepare' someone for a betrayal, like Trond's father tried to do?"
"Is it better to know the hard truth about your parents or to keep the childhood version of them in your head?"

Deep Dive

A Lesson in Slow Cinema

Based on the 2003 novel by Per Petterson, Out Stealing Horses is part of a specific genre of Nordic Noir that trades the 'noir' for deep, existential reflection. The story jumps between 1999—where an aging Trond (Stellan Skarsgård) is trying to disappear into the Norwegian countryside—and 1948, the summer that broke his world apart.

For a 2026 audience, this film serves as a necessary counter-program to the hyper-kinetic, algorithm-driven content that dominates most feeds. It demands a different kind of attention. You aren't watching for 'what happens next' as much as you are watching for 'how this feels.' The title itself refers to a game Trond and his friend Jon play, but it quickly becomes a metaphor for the things that are taken from us without permission.

Why the 1948 Timeline Matters

The heart of the movie is the 15-year-old version of Trond. This is where the 'Enriching' score comes from. It portrays a teenager discovering that his father is a flawed, complex, and ultimately selfish human being. For a kid hitting that age where the 'parental pedestal' starts to wobble, seeing that struggle reflected on screen can be genuinely validating.

"We do decide for ourselves when it will hurt."

This line from Trond’s father is the movie’s thesis. It’s a tough, stoic philosophy that the film eventually deconstructs. It’s worth noting that the film is in Norwegian with English subtitles (on most platforms), so ensure your kid is comfortable with that before diving in. If they can handle the subtitles, they’ll get a masterclass in visual composition and a story that lingers long after the credits roll.

What Parents Ask

Stills

Ask Anything

Get a personalized guide on any topic

Writing about Out Stealing Horses? Put this WISE score on your site