Risen – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Risen

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie2016Action, Drama

56%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

CSI: Jerusalem—a Roman soldier investigates the missing body of Jesus, with mixed results and some genuinely disturbing crucifixion scenes.

6.3/10

53%

70%

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Risen

movie

PG-13, 2016, Action, Drama

56%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

CSI: Jerusalem—a Roman soldier investigates the missing body of Jesus, with mixed results and some genuinely disturbing crucifixion scenes.

6.3

53%

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6.3/10

53%

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Screenwise Verdict

Risen wants to be a gritty detective thriller set during the resurrection, and honestly, that's a cool premise. A Roman tribune tasked with finding Jesus's missing body? Sign me up. But the execution is workmanlike at best—critics gave it a shrug (53%), and even fans admit the dialogue is clunky.

The real issue for families is the violence. Those crucifixion scenes are graphic and disturbing, not sanitized Sunday school versions. If your teen is exploring faith and can handle PG-13 violence, this offers a different entry point into the Easter story. But if you're looking for quality cinema or something the whole family can watch together, this isn't it.

It's earnest, occasionally interesting, and will resonate if you're already invested in Christian filmmaking. Everyone else will find it heavy-handed and forgettable. A 56 feels right—it's fine for its niche, but not a must-watch by any stretch.

Age Fit

Best for ages 13+ who are prepared for biblical violence and seeking faith-based content. The crucifixion scenes are genuinely disturbing, and the religious messaging is overt, so this works for families who want that but may alienate others. Adults interested in biblical dramas will find it watchable but not remarkable.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Models a skeptic's journey toward faith and truth-seeking, with themes of redemption and compassion. However, the biblical violence—including crucifixion scenes and battle sequences with impalement—plus the overall somber, heavy tone limits its emotional accessibility. Common Sense Media notes 'subpar dialogue' that can feel preachy rather than naturally wholesome.

Imaginative

Takes a detective-thriller angle on a familiar biblical story, following a Roman tribune investigating the resurrection. The premise has potential, but execution leans heavily on procedural investigation rather than truly fresh storytelling. The 53% critic score and 51 Metacritic suggest it doesn't fully deliver on its creative promise—more dutiful than daring.

Safe

Rated PG-13 for 'Biblical violence including some disturbing images.' Multiple sources flag graphic crucifixion scenes, battle impalement, and other violent imagery that could be jarring for younger viewers. No sexual content or profanity, but the violence is explicit enough that parents need to prepare kids. Not unsafe for the target audience (teens+), but definitely requires content awareness.

Enriching

Offers a historical perspective on first-century Judea and explores faith through the eyes of a non-believer, which can spark meaningful conversations about belief, evidence, and worldview. The 70% audience score suggests it resonates with viewers seeking spiritual content. However, the didactic dialogue and straightforward messaging limit deeper intellectual or emotional engagement. It's enriching if you're looking for faith-based content, less so if you want nuanced storytelling.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Unique angle: follows a skeptical Roman tribune rather than the disciples, offering a detective-thriller take on the resurrection story
Can spark conversations about faith, doubt, and what it means to seek truth when evidence challenges your worldview
Decent production values and historical setting give a sense of first-century Judea
Strong with faith-based audiences (70% audience score) who appreciate seeing biblical events through fresh eyes

⚠

What to Watch For

Graphic violence: crucifixion scenes are explicit and disturbing, plus battle sequences with impalement and blood
Heavy-handed messaging—the dialogue can feel preachy and the narrative arc is predictable if you know the Easter story
This is explicitly Christian content; it's not a neutral historical drama but a faith-affirming film
Critics were lukewarm (53% RT)—it's earnest but not particularly well-crafted cinema

Conversation Starters

"If you were investigating something that seemed impossible, what kind of evidence would convince you it was real?"
"Why do you think the Roman soldier was so determined to find the body? What was he really afraid of?"
"How do people's beliefs shape what they're willing to see or accept as true?"
"What would it feel like to have your entire worldview challenged by something you witnessed?"

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