The Borrowers – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

The Borrowers

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie1997

52%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Tiny people, big problems, and 1997 special effects that haven't aged gracefully—this adaptation is more borrowable than keepable.

73%

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The Borrowers

movie

PG, 1997

52%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Tiny people, big problems, and 1997 special effects that haven't aged gracefully—this adaptation is more borrowable than keepable.

73%

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Screenwise Verdict

Here's the thing: The Borrowers has a genuinely cool premise that's sparked kids' imaginations since the 1950s books. Four-inch-tall people living in your walls? That's gold.

But this 1997 adaptation is rough. The 73% critic score vs. 49% audience score tells the story—critics gave it credit for trying, but actual viewers (including families) found it hard to watch. The special effects haven't aged well, the pacing is apparently chaotic, and the execution just doesn't land.

If your kid is obsessed with miniature worlds (Arrietty fans, Sylvanian Families collectors), they might get something out of this. But honestly? The 2010 Studio Ghibli film 'The Secret World of Arrietty' covers similar ground with infinitely more charm and watchability. This one's a skip unless you're a completist or doing a compare-contrast film study.

Age Fit

Best for ages 7-11 who are drawn to miniature-world concepts and can handle mild villain peril. Older kids and adults will likely find it too dated and poorly executed to enjoy—that 49% audience score is a warning sign.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Based on the beloved Mary Norton children's books, the premise centers on family cooperation and resourcefulness. The Clock family works together to survive, modeling teamwork. The conflict involves an evil lawyer trying to steal a house, which provides clear moral stakes (good vs. bad). However, the 49% audience score on RT suggests the execution may be uneven or overly chaotic in places, potentially affecting the emotional tone.

Imaginative

The core concept of four-inch-tall people living secretly in a house and 'borrowing' everyday items is inherently creative and invites children to reimagine their own homes from a tiny perspective. The world-building around miniature living (using thread, safety pins, batteries as resources) sparks curiosity about scale and ingenuity. The premise encourages kids to think about how small beings would solve big problems.

Safe

Common Sense Media rates it for age 8, suggesting some mild peril or tension. The villain (Ocious P. Potter) and the threat of home demolition likely create suspenseful moments that could be intense for younger viewers. The risk of the tiny family being 'exposed to the normal-sized world' implies danger/peril throughout. No indicators of graphic content, but the 1997 special effects and slapstick comedy may include pratfalls or cartoonish violence typical of family films from that era. The low audience score suggests some elements may not land well, possibly including humor that feels mean-spirited or chaotic sequences.

Enriching

The story offers themes about resourcefulness, family loyalty, and standing up to injustice (fighting the evil lawyer). There's potential for discussions about wealth disparity (the Lenders vs. Potter), home/belonging, and courage. However, the 5.9 IMDb and 49% audience score suggest the film doesn't execute these themes particularly well. The 73% critic score indicates some merit, but the disconnect with audiences implies the entertainment value is lacking. It's based on classic literature, which adds cultural value, but the adaptation appears mediocre.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

The premise of four-inch-tall people secretly living in your walls and 'borrowing' batteries and thread is genuinely clever and will make kids look at their house differently
Family teamwork and resourcefulness are central—the Clocks have to work together to survive and outsmart the bad guy
Based on beloved classic children's books by Mary Norton, so there's literary pedigree here
Clear moral stakes: evil lawyer trying to steal a house and demolish it gives kids an obvious villain to root against

⚠

What to Watch For

The 49% audience score is brutal—this suggests the movie is genuinely hard to sit through, even for kids who might enjoy the concept
Mild peril throughout as the tiny family faces threats from the normal-sized world and the villain; Common Sense says age 8+
Late-90s CGI and practical effects that likely look extremely dated and potentially distracting by 2025 standards
The villain's name is 'Ocious P. Potter' which tells you everything about the subtlety level here

Conversation Starters

"If you were only four inches tall, what everyday objects in our house would you use differently?"
"The Borrowers take things without asking—is that stealing, or is it okay because they're just surviving?"
"Why do you think Mr. Potter wants to tear down the house? What makes someone care more about money than people's homes?"
"If you had to live secretly in someone else's house, what would be the hardest part?"

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