Scrapper – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Scrapper

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie2023

79%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

A dreamy 12-year-old living solo in London must face reality when her estranged dad shows up—tender, bittersweet, and surprisingly magical.

6.9/10

94%

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Scrapper

movie

PG, 2023

79%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

A dreamy 12-year-old living solo in London must face reality when her estranged dad shows up—tender, bittersweet, and surprisingly magical.

6.9

94%

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Screenwise Verdict

Scrapper is a little gem—a British indie that takes a gutting premise (a kid living alone after her mom dies) and turns it into something tender, funny, and oddly hopeful. It's not a tearjerker for the sake of it; it's about resilience, imagination, and the messy work of letting people back in.

This isn't a big, loud family movie. It's quiet, character-driven, and emotionally real. If your kid can handle the subject matter (and Common Sense Media's age 11+ feels right), it's a beautiful watch that sparks real conversations about grief, family, and what it means to grow up. Just be ready for some heavy moments—and maybe a few tears.

Age Fit

Best for ages 11–14 who can handle themes of parental death and emotional complexity. Older teens and adults will appreciate the nuanced storytelling, but younger kids may find the grief and loneliness too heavy.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

A tender story about grief, resilience, and reconnection that handles heavy themes (mother's death, a child living alone) with warmth rather than exploitation. Georgie's resourcefulness and imagination are portrayed positively, and the film models reconciliation and vulnerability as her estranged father returns. The tone is gentle and life-affirming despite the serious subject matter, though the premise of a 12-year-old living alone unsupervised may be emotionally complex for some viewers.

Imaginative

Georgie 'fills her flat with magic'—the film celebrates a child's inner world and creative coping mechanisms. It's a character-driven indie that prioritizes emotional imagination over spectacle, inviting viewers into Georgie's dreamy perspective as she navigates loss and change. The premise itself (a kid secretly managing her own life) sparks curiosity about autonomy and resilience.

Safe

Common Sense Media rates it for ages 11+. Content is mild across the board (IMDb parent guide: mild violence/gore, mild profanity, no sex/nudity, mild frightening scenes). The mother's death is referenced multiple times but not shown, which may be emotionally intense for younger or sensitive kids. No graphic content, but the themes of parental loss and a child living alone unsupervised are weighty. Parents should expect sadness and emotional processing, not shock or inappropriate content.

Enriching

A thoughtful exploration of grief, family estrangement, and what it means to 'confront reality' while honoring a child's agency and imagination. The film offers real emotional depth—parents praised it as 'heartfelt with realistic relationships and characters' and noted educational value. Strong critical reception (94% RT critics, 74 Metacritic) suggests it's a well-crafted piece that invites empathy and conversation about loss, resilience, and forgiveness. It's entertaining but also leaves viewers with something to think about.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

A rare British indie that treats a child's grief and resilience with genuine respect and warmth
Celebrates imagination and resourcefulness without sugar-coating the hard stuff
Strong critical praise (94% RT) for its heartfelt, realistic relationships
Opens up meaningful conversations about loss, family, and what 'home' really means
Quietly funny and life-affirming despite heavy themes

⚠

What to Watch For

The mother's death is referenced throughout—emotionally intense for younger or sensitive kids
A 12-year-old living alone may raise questions or anxiety for some viewers
Indie pacing and tone—not a big, flashy family movie; it's gentle and character-driven
Mild profanity and some sad, heavy moments

Conversation Starters

"How do you think Georgie felt when her dad came back? Would you want to see someone again after they'd been gone a long time?"
"Georgie uses her imagination to cope with hard things. What helps you feel better when you're sad or worried?"
"What do you think makes a place feel like home?"
"If you could fill your room with 'magic' like Georgie does, what would that look like?"

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