Is the suicide shown on screen?

No, the suicide happens before the movie begins. The film is entirely about the funeral and the fallout among the living students.

Why is the screen a square instead of wide?

It's a creative choice to make the viewer feel the same 'closeness' and social pressure the characters feel. It makes the world feel small and inescapable.

It’s a 'dark comedy' in the sense that some of the teen behavior is so awkward it's funny, but it's much more of a drama. Don't expect big laughs.

How much 'mature' content is there?

There is significant talk about sex, a scene involving a pressured kiss/make-out session, and some foul language. It’s typical for a realistic 15+ drama.

Tahara – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Tahara

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie2020

62%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

A claustrophobic, visually unique dive into the messy intersection of grief, hormones, and Hebrew school.

97%

→

Tahara

movie

NR, 2020

62%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

A claustrophobic, visually unique dive into the messy intersection of grief, hormones, and Hebrew school.

97%

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97%

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Screenwise Verdict

Tahara is a 'vibes' movie, but the vibes are mostly 'anxious, sweaty, and awkward.' It’s a brilliant piece of filmmaking if you’re into A24-style indie dramas that prioritize character psychology over a feel-good ending.

If you're looking for a lighthearted coming-of-age story, keep walking. This is a sharp, sometimes painful look at how a friendship can dissolve in real-time under the pressure of shared trauma and mismatched hormones. It's worth watching for the performances alone, but be prepared for the 'audience score' to make sense—it's a polarizing, uncomfortable experience.

Age Fit

This is strictly for older teens (15+) and adults. The themes of suicide, sexual manipulation, and the general 'unlikability' of the characters require a level of maturity that younger kids just won't have yet.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

The film intentionally leans into the messy, selfish, and often unkind behavior of teenagers navigating grief. It's not trying to be 'good' or 'nice'; it's trying to be real, which means it's emotionally heavy and occasionally cruel.

Imaginative

The use of a 1:1 aspect ratio and surreal claymation sequences to represent the characters' internal states is a creative departure from standard teen drama tropes.

Safe

The entire premise is built on the aftermath of a classmate's suicide. It also features uncomfortable sexual tension, manipulation, and a specific scene of sexual experimentation that feels pressured and awkward.

Enriching

It offers a deeply specific look at Jewish teenage identity and the complicated ways people perform grief. It's a great catalyst for talking about toxic friendship dynamics and boundaries.

Parent Info

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Why It Might Be Great

Visual style: The 1:1 square aspect ratio makes the teen angst feel as cramped and uncomfortable as it actually is.
Authentic cringe: It captures that specific brand of high school selfishness where your own social standing feels more important than a tragedy.
Jewish identity: It provides a grounded, modern look at Jewish teen life without falling into the usual caricatures.
Lead performances: Madeline Grey DeFreece and Rachel Sennott (of Shiva Baby fame) are incredibly convincing as friends on the verge of a breakup.

⚠

What to Watch For

The movie is centered on the suicide of a classmate. While the act isn't shown, the discussion and the funeral setting are constant reminders.
There is a manipulative sexual encounter between the two leads that is deeply uncomfortable to watch and involves a significant power imbalance in their friendship.
The pacing is very 'indie'—it’s slow, talky, and focuses more on internal feelings than external plot points.

Conversation Starters

"Why do you think Carrie felt pressured to go along with Samantha's 'practice' kiss?"
"How do people sometimes use tragedy to make themselves the center of attention?"
"What does the change in visual style (the claymation) tell us about what the characters are feeling?"
"Is a friendship worth saving if it makes you feel trapped or invisible?"

Deep Dive

The Shiva Baby Connection

If you recognize Rachel Sennott, it's likely from her breakout role in Shiva Baby. Tahara occupies a similar headspace—Jewish ritual as a backdrop for intense personal awkwardness—but it's much more experimental in its form. Director Olivia Westman uses a tight, square frame to literally box the characters in, reflecting the suffocating nature of high school social circles and the weight of a funeral.

Not Your Average Teen Drama

Most teen movies about death are 'The Fault in Our Stars' style tear-jerkers. Tahara is the opposite. It’s about the way teens can be incredibly self-absorbed even in the face of tragedy. It asks: How do you mourn someone you didn't even like that much? How do you handle a best friend who is using a funeral as a stage for their own drama? It’s refreshing because it’s honest, even when that honesty is ugly.

The Visual Language

The film occasionally breaks into surrealism, including claymation sequences. These aren't just for show; they represent the moments where the characters' reality is too intense or confusing to be captured by a standard camera. For a media-literate teen, these choices are great talking points about how filmmakers use different mediums to convey emotion.

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