Rhymes for Young Ghouls – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Rhymes for Young Ghouls

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie2013

48%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Blood-soaked Indigenous revenge drama about residential school survival—powerful history lesson, absolutely not for kids.

6.5/10

88%

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Rhymes for Young Ghouls

movie

R, 2013

48%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Blood-soaked Indigenous revenge drama about residential school survival—powerful history lesson, absolutely not for kids.

6.5

88%

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6.5/10

88%

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Screenwise Verdict

This isn't a kids' movie and it's not trying to be. Rhymes for Young Ghouls is a brutal, unflinching look at residential school trauma in 1970s Canada, told through the lens of a teenage Mi'kmaq girl dealing drugs to buy her way out of the system.

It's graphic, dark, and deliberately uncomfortable—exactly as it should be given the subject matter. For adults, especially those interested in Indigenous cinema or Canadian/American history that gets swept under the rug, this is powerful and important viewing. Jeff Barnaby doesn't pull punches, and critics recognized the film's bold vision.

But let's be crystal clear: this is R-rated/TV-MA for graphic nudity, violence, sexual abuse themes, and drug use. It's not "mature teen" content—it's adult content about crimes against children. If you're looking for something to watch with your high schooler to discuss Indigenous history, there are better entry points. This is for your own education first.

Age Fit

This is strictly adult viewing (17+). The graphic content and traumatic subject matter make it inappropriate for anyone younger, regardless of maturity level. It's an important film for adults who want to understand residential school history.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Set against the brutal backdrop of 1970s residential schools, this film depicts violence, drug dealing, sexual abuse, graphic nudity, and substance abuse. While the Indigenous protagonist's resistance is understandable given the historical trauma, the tone is deliberately dark and bleak—not emotionally healthy viewing for younger audiences.

Imaginative

Jeff Barnaby's debut is visually striking with an evocative title and premise that reimagines residential school horror through a revenge-thriller lens. The Mi'kmaq setting and perspective offer a rarely-seen viewpoint in cinema, blending crime drama with historical trauma in original ways. Critics praised its bold storytelling (88% RT).

Safe

Rated R/TV-MA for graphic nudity, violence, drug use, sexual references, and language. IMDb parent guide flags moderate sex/nudity and violence/gore. This is explicitly adult content dealing with child abuse in residential schools—absolutely not safe for unexpected viewing by minors. Common Sense Media recommends 17+.

Enriching

Powerful exploration of residential school trauma and Indigenous resistance in 1970s Canada. Offers crucial historical perspective on government-mandated cultural genocide that many Canadians and Americans know little about. For mature viewers, it's an important, eye-opening film that builds empathy and understanding of systemic injustice.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Shines light on the horrific reality of Canadian residential schools, a history that deserves wider understanding
Strong Indigenous perspective and filmmaking voice (Jeff Barnaby's impressive debut)
Critics praised its bold, unflinching approach (88% on Rotten Tomatoes)
For adults interested in Indigenous cinema and historical trauma narratives, this is an important watch

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What to Watch For

Graphic violence, nudity, sexual abuse themes, and heavy drug use throughout—this is R-rated for very good reasons
Extremely dark tone dealing with child abuse in residential schools—emotionally heavy viewing
Not remotely appropriate for minors or family viewing
The subject matter (forced assimilation, cultural genocide) is historically accurate and deeply disturbing

Conversation Starters

"What did you know about residential schools before watching this? How does this history connect to ongoing reconciliation efforts?"
"How does the film portray resistance and survival in the face of systemic oppression?"
"Why do you think this history isn't more widely taught in North American schools?"

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