Priceless – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Priceless

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie2016

48%

WISE Score

Well-intentioned thriller about human trafficking that's more sermon than cinema—important topic, clunky execution.

Priceless

movie

PG-13, 2016

48%

WISE Score

Well-intentioned thriller about human trafficking that's more sermon than cinema—important topic, clunky execution.

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Screenwise Verdict

Look, this is one of those Christian-adjacent films with its heart absolutely in the right place but its execution somewhere around... community theater level. The Metacritic score of 41 tells you what you need to know: critics found it well-intentioned but ham-fisted.

That said, if you're looking for a way to talk to your older teen about human trafficking without showing them a documentary, this could work. The audience score of 76% on Rotten Tomatoes suggests regular people found it more compelling than critics did—probably because the message resonates even when the craft doesn't.

The real question is whether you want to spend two hours on a middling thriller to have a conversation you could have other ways. The topic is crucial, the execution is meh, and your teen probably won't be riveted. But if they're ready for the subject matter and you watch together, it could be a springboard for important discussions about exploitation, justice, and standing up for others.

Age Fit

This is squarely for mature teens (15+) and adults who want to engage with difficult social issues. Younger teens might be ready for the content but not the clunky storytelling, and honestly, most kids won't be begging to watch this one.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

The film tackles human trafficking with a redemptive arc—the protagonist realizes his mistake and risks everything to save victims. It models courage and doing the right thing despite personal cost. However, the subject matter itself (human trafficking) is inherently dark and disturbing, which limits how emotionally healthy this feels for younger viewers. The romantic subplot adds some warmth but doesn't offset the heavy themes.

Imaginative

This is a straightforward thriller with a social message. The premise—unwitting driver discovers he's transporting trafficking victims—is fairly conventional and doesn't break new ground creatively. It's more message-driven than imaginative, focusing on raising awareness rather than inviting creative thinking or exploration. The execution appears workmanlike based on the middling critical reception (Metacritic 41).

Safe

Human trafficking as a central plot means this film inherently contains disturbing content—implied exploitation, danger, and likely violence. Common Sense Media rated it for 13+, suggesting mature themes that would be inappropriate for younger children. The Metacritic score of 41 and mixed audience reactions suggest the execution may be uneven, potentially making some content feel more exploitative than educational. This isn't a Marvel-style action movie where violence is cartoonish; it's dealing with real-world horrors.

Enriching

The film's core mission—raising awareness about human trafficking—is genuinely important and could spark meaningful conversations about exploitation, justice, and standing up for vulnerable people. The protagonist's transformation from self-interested to heroic offers ethical growth modeling. However, the middling critical scores (Metacritic 41, IMDb 6.0) suggest the execution may be heavy-handed or preachy rather than nuanced, which limits its enrichment potential. Still, the subject matter itself carries inherent value.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Raises awareness about human trafficking in an accessible format—a real issue that often stays invisible
Models moral courage: protagonist risks everything to do the right thing after realizing his mistake
Could spark meaningful family conversations about exploitation, justice, and helping vulnerable people
The redemption arc shows that it's never too late to choose good, even after making terrible choices

⚠

What to Watch For

Heavy, disturbing subject matter—human trafficking isn't light viewing and may be genuinely upsetting for sensitive teens
The Metacritic score of 41 suggests this is more earnest PSA than quality filmmaking—expect some cheese and heavy-handedness
Implied exploitation and danger throughout; this isn't sanitized Hollywood action
The romantic subplot may feel forced or problematic given the power dynamics of the situation

Conversation Starters

"Why do you think James decided to help, even though it put him in danger?"
"What did you learn about human trafficking that you didn't know before? How common do you think this problem is?"
"If you realized you were accidentally involved in something wrong, what would you do?"
"The movie shows trafficking victims as real people with stories—why is that important versus just hearing statistics?"

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