Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

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Screenwise Verdict

Look, if you're a Doors superfan or a parent nostalgic for 60s rock mythology, Val Kilmer's performance alone is worth the watch—it's genuinely impressive. But as a film? It's a slog. Oliver Stone's bombastic style hasn't aged well, and the 140-minute runtime feels like Morrison's own drug-addled fever dream.

The bigger issue: this romanticizes Morrison's self-destruction without offering much insight. You get 197 f-bombs, endless drug scenes, and a parade of naked women, but very little depth about who Morrison actually was beyond 'tortured poet who partied himself to death.' Reddit Doors fans call it a 'simpleton's view,' and they're not wrong.

For parents: this is absolutely not for kids. Not even older teens, really. It's adult content through and through, and not particularly enriching adult content at that. If your college-aged kid is studying 60s counterculture or music history, fine—but even then, there are better documentaries. The WISE score reflects what it is: a dated, indulgent biopic that's more spectacle than substance.

Age Fit

This is an R-rated adult film, period. Common Sense Media suggests 16+, but given the heavy drug content, explicit sexuality, and glamorization of destructive behavior, 18+ is more realistic. Not a film for teens, despite the music history angle.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

22

Oliver Stone's biopic romanticizes Jim Morrison's self-destructive lifestyle—heavy drug use, excessive drinking, verbal domestic abuse, and reckless behavior are central to the narrative. While Morrison's death could serve as a cautionary tale, the film glamorizes his poetic demise rather than meaningfully exploring consequences. 197 profanities, pervasive sexual content, and a tone that celebrates excess over responsibility.

Imaginative

68

Val Kilmer's uncanny portrayal (vocals indistinguishable from Morrison's) is a technical marvel, and the film captures the psychedelic, boundary-pushing spirit of 60s counterculture. Stone's visual style—trippy sequences, concert recreations, poetic interludes—attempts to channel Morrison's artistic vision. However, it's more imitative than truly original, leaning on Morrison's existing mystique rather than offering fresh creative insight.

Safe

15

Rated R for heavy drug content, strong sexuality, and language. Common Sense Media flags severe sex/nudity (multiple scenes with naked women, implied sexual acts), moderate violence (scuffles, verbal domestic abuse), and extreme profanity (197 curses). This is explicitly adult content with no guardrails—drugs, alcohol, and Morrison's chaotic behavior dominate every frame. Not remotely appropriate for kids.

Enriching

48

As a music history document, it offers a window into 60s rock culture and Morrison's impact on a generation. The film raises questions about artistry, fame, and self-destruction. But Stone's one-dimensional portrayal (per Reddit critics, 'a simpleton's view' of Morrison) sacrifices depth for spectacle. Teens interested in music history might find value, but the film doesn't meaningfully grapple with Morrison's complexity or offer lessons beyond 'excess kills.'

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Val Kilmer's performance is legitimately eerie—his vocals are indistinguishable from Morrison's, making concert scenes feel authentic
A time capsule of 60s counterculture and the Doors' music, capturing the era's rebellious energy and psychedelic aesthetic
Raises questions about fame, artistry, and the cost of genius—though it doesn't always answer them thoughtfully
For music history buffs (adults), it's a stylized entry point into Morrison's mythology and the band's cultural impact

⚠

What to Watch For

This is emphatically not for kids—197 curse words, pervasive drug use (LSD, cocaine, alcohol), and explicit sexual content throughout
The film romanticizes Morrison's self-destruction; his death feels more 'poetic tragedy' than cautionary tale
Oliver Stone's maximalist style (trippy visuals, bombastic editing) feels dated and exhausting by modern standards
One-dimensional portrayal: Morrison comes off as a chaotic manchild rather than a complex artist, per critics and fans alike
Common Sense Media says 16+, but the content severity and lack of redeeming messaging pushes this firmly into 18+ territory

Conversation Starters

"What do you think Morrison was trying to express through his music and poetry? Did the film capture that, or just show his wild behavior?"
"The movie shows Morrison's drug use and recklessness—do you think it glorifies that lifestyle or warns against it?"
"How do you separate an artist's work from their personal life? Can someone be brilliant and self-destructive at the same time?"
"Val Kilmer's performance is praised as uncanny—what makes a biopic portrayal feel 'real' versus just an imitation?"

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The Doors