The Chosen One – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

The Chosen One

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

show2023

42%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Mexican kid gets Jesus powers but this Netflix series is more 'meh-ssiah' than messiah—critics liked it, audiences didn't.

75%

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The Chosen One

show

TV-MA, 2023

42%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Mexican kid gets Jesus powers but this Netflix series is more 'meh-ssiah' than messiah—critics liked it, audiences didn't.

75%

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Screenwise Verdict

This one hurts because the premise is genuinely interesting—a Mexican kid with divine powers navigating prophecy and destiny. Critics saw the potential (75%), but audiences were not having it (5.7/10 on IMDb is rough).

The real problem? It's rated for 15+ despite having a 12-year-old protagonist, which means it goes dark—violence, death, heavy themes. And based on those audience scores, it likely does so in a way that's boring or confusing rather than compelling.

If you've got a 16-year-old who loves slow-burn supernatural dramas and can tolerate uneven storytelling, maybe. But for most families, this is a skip. The gap between what it could have been and what viewers actually experienced is too wide. There are better ways to explore faith, power, and destiny that won't put your teen to sleep.

Age Fit

Common Sense says 15+, and given the low audience scores, this is really for older teens who can handle mature supernatural drama and won't be bored by slow pacing. Not for middle schoolers despite the 12-year-old protagonist.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

A 12-year-old discovering Jesus-like powers sounds wholesome on paper, but the execution matters enormously. With a Common Sense age rating of 15 and mixed audience reviews (72% RT, 5.7 IMDb), this suggests tonal issues—likely darker themes, violence, or mature content that undercuts emotional healthiness. Religious satire or supernatural drama targeting teens often includes cynicism, death, and moral ambiguity that doesn't model kindness or cooperation in straightforward ways.

Imaginative

The premise—a Mexican kid discovering divine powers and navigating ancient prophecy—is genuinely original and culturally specific (set in Baja California Sur). It invites big questions about destiny, faith, and power. However, without knowing execution details, it's unclear if this sparks creative thinking or just follows tired Chosen One tropes. The 75% critic score suggests some creative merit, but the low IMDb rating (5.7) hints at uninspired storytelling or pacing issues.

Safe

Common Sense rates this for 15+, which immediately signals mature content inappropriate for younger viewers. The synopsis mentions 'raising the dead' and 'conflict that's been thousands of years in the making'—expect violence, death, potentially disturbing supernatural imagery, and likely religious/existential themes that could be heavy or scary. For a show about a 12-year-old protagonist, the age-15 rating is a red flag that this isn't a kid-friendly superhero story. No specific trigger warnings available, but the gap between protagonist age (12) and recommended viewer age (15) suggests darker turns.

Enriching

Wrestling with themes of destiny, faith, power, and responsibility could be enriching for older teens. The Mexican setting and cultural context add value. However, the mediocre 5.7 IMDb rating suggests the show may not deliver on its philosophical potential—viewers likely found it preachy, confusing, or poorly executed. The 75% critic score vs 5.7 audience rating gap is telling: critics saw ambition, audiences found it boring or frustrating. Entertainment value appears low, which undermines any enrichment.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Original premise with cultural specificity (Baja California setting, Mexican protagonist) rather than another white American Chosen One story
Big philosophical questions about faith, destiny, and power that could spark meaningful discussions with older teens
75% critic score suggests some artistic ambition and thematic depth
Supernatural elements and moral dilemmas might appeal to teens who like darker YA content

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What to Watch For

Age-15 rating means expect violence, death, disturbing supernatural content—this isn't a family-friendly miracle story
The 5.7 IMDb rating is brutal and suggests this is likely boring, confusing, or poorly paced despite its interesting premise
Religious themes could be heavy-handed or controversial depending on your family's beliefs
The protagonist is 12 but the show is rated for 15+, which tells you this goes to dark places

Conversation Starters

"If you suddenly had powers like that, what would be the hardest part—the responsibility or people not believing you?"
"The show is set in Mexico with a Mexican protagonist. How does that change the story compared to typical American superhero shows?"
"Do you think having powers would make your life better or worse? Why?"
"What would you do if everyone suddenly expected you to save the world?"

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