Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

Where to Watch

Loading streaming options...

Screenwise Verdict

Here's the deal: this is a well-reviewed Spanish art film about an 11-year-old girl in a 1990s convent school whose friendship with a new classmate opens her eyes to a bigger world. Critics loved it. Your kid will probably hate it.

It's got all the hallmarks of 'important cinema'—thoughtful exploration of identity, religious questioning, family secrets, beautiful cinematography—and all the hallmarks of 'kids will be on their phones within 10 minutes.' Subtitled, slow European pacing, period setting, heavy themes. The 6.4 IMDb rating (compared to the 90% critic score) tells you everything: this is the kind of movie film festival programmers love and actual audiences find kind of boring.

If you have a genuinely mature 13-15 year old who loves international cinema or is specifically interested in LGBTQ+ coming-of-age stories (reading between the lines here), this could spark meaningful conversations about identity and independence. For everyone else? There are about 500 more engaging options on HBO Max.

Age Fit

Best for mature 13-15 year olds who genuinely enjoy foreign films and can handle emotionally complex, slow-paced storytelling. Honestly, most kids in this age range would rather watch literally anything else on HBO Max.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

68

Set in early 1990s Catholic Spain, this coming-of-age story explores friendship and identity formation during early adolescence. The convent school setting and focus on an 11-year-old protagonist navigating strict religious teachings suggests emotionally grounded material, though the 'hidden truths at home' and challenges to religious authority hint at some heavier themes that may not be fully age-appropriate for younger viewers. The film models friendship and self-discovery but likely includes questioning of authority and family dysfunction.

Imaginative

62

A period piece set in 1990s Spain with a specific cultural and religious context offers some novelty, but this is fundamentally a realistic coming-of-age drama rather than something that sparks creativity or exploration. The arrival of a 'confident new classmate from Barcelona' who opens Celia's world provides some imaginative framing of personal transformation, but the genre is grounded realism. The 90% RT critic score suggests artistic merit, but nothing in the synopsis indicates particularly innovative storytelling or world-building.

Safe

55

Common Sense Media rates this 13+, which aligns with early adolescent themes but suggests content that could be surprising or uncomfortable for younger viewers. The synopsis mentions 'hidden truths at home' and challenging religious teachings, which often code for family secrets, potential abuse, or dysfunction in coming-of-age dramas. Without specific content warnings but with a 13+ rating and serious thematic material about identity and 'uncertainties of adolescence,' this likely contains emotionally intense scenes that could be distressing. The convent school setting in 1990s Spain may also include period-appropriate corporal punishment or religious strictness that reads as harsh by modern standards.

Enriching

72

Strong critical reception (90% RT) suggests meaningful artistic and thematic depth. The exploration of identity, independence, and belonging during early adolescence offers rich material for understanding personal growth and questioning authority. The specific cultural context of 1990s Catholic Spain provides historical and cultural learning opportunities. The friendship between Celia and Brisa as a catalyst for self-discovery models how relationships can expand our worldview. However, as a relatively unknown 2020 Spanish film, entertainment value for modern American kids may be limited by subtitles, pacing, and cultural distance.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Strong critical reception (90% on RT) suggests thoughtful, well-crafted storytelling about adolescent identity formation
Explores how friendships can challenge our assumptions and help us discover who we really are
Provides a window into 1990s Spanish Catholic culture and the experience of questioning strict religious upbringing
Authentic portrayal of early adolescent confusion and the courage it takes to seek independence
May resonate deeply with kids who feel constrained by their environment or are questioning their identity

⚠

What to Watch For

This is a subtitled, slow-paced European art film—most American kids will find it boring and hard to engage with
The 13+ rating and 'hidden truths at home' suggest family dysfunction, possible abuse, or other heavy revelations
Religious questioning and challenges to authority may not align with all family values
The convent school setting in 1990s Spain likely includes strict discipline that may be uncomfortable to watch
Without knowing specifics, 'uncertainties of adolescence' in coming-of-age films often includes emerging sexuality themes

Conversation Starters

"Have you ever had a friend who completely changed how you saw the world? What did they show you?"
"The movie shows Celia questioning what she's been taught at her religious school. When is it okay to question authority or rules?"
"How do you think it felt to be a kid in a strict convent school in the 1990s compared to your school now?"
"Celia discovers 'hidden truths' about her family. Why do you think adults sometimes keep secrets from kids?"

Ask Anything

Get a personalized guide on any topic

Schoolgirls