The Gentlemen – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

The Gentlemen

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie2020

72%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

A slick, hyper-violent London crime caper that's high on style, low on morals, and packed with Guy Ritchie's signature fast-talking gangsters.

76%

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The Gentlemen

movie

R, 2020

72%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

A slick, hyper-violent London crime caper that's high on style, low on morals, and packed with Guy Ritchie's signature fast-talking gangsters.

76%

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Screenwise Verdict

The Gentlemen is Guy Ritchie returning to the sandbox he plays in best: the London underworld. It’s slick, expensive-looking, and deeply cynical. If you’re looking for a movie that values 'cool' over everything else, this is a top-tier pick.

For parents, the math is simple: this isn't a family movie. It’s a high-octane crime story where the heroes are drug lords and the villains are even worse. The violence is punchy and the script is dense with British slang that’ll have you reaching for subtitles, but it’s undeniably well-crafted entertainment for adults.

Age Fit

This is strictly for the 17+ crowd. It's a stylish R-rated crime flick that assumes the audience is mature enough to handle extreme profanity and the celebration of the drug trade. If your teen is dead-set on it, watch it first—it's much 'harder' than a standard Marvel or action movie.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

It's a crime caper centered on a drug empire. While it has themes of loyalty and 'professionalism' among criminals, it's the opposite of emotionally healthy for younger viewers.

Imaginative

Guy Ritchie uses a clever 'movie-within-a-movie' framing device. The non-linear storytelling and sharp, rhythmic dialogue show a lot of creative flair.

Safe

Hard R-rating for a reason. Expect graphic violence, heavy drug use, and a constant barrage of high-level profanity, including the C-word.

Enriching

The plot is a complex logic puzzle that rewards attention. It’s entertaining and linguistically dense, but the ethical takeaways are murky at best.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Sharp dialogue that feels like a rhythmic, profane chess match between very smart, very bad people.
A stellar ensemble cast featuring Matthew McConaughey and a surprisingly hilarious, sleazy performance from Hugh Grant.
The puzzle-box plot keeps you guessing with a non-linear structure that actually pays off in the final act.
High stylistic energy that makes even the most casual conversations feel like high-stakes action scenes.

⚠

What to Watch For

The language is relentless and aggressive, utilizing every British slur in the book with high frequency.
Several scenes of casual brutality, including a body in a freezer and a particularly grim threat involving a pig, which might stick with sensitive viewers.
The film leans into racial stereotypes for 'edgy' humor, particularly regarding East Asian and Jewish characters, which feels dated and unnecessary.

Conversation Starters

"Why does Mickey Pearson consider himself a 'gentleman' even though he runs a drug empire?"
"How did the way Fletcher told the story change how you felt about what was happening?"
"Is there such a thing as 'honor among thieves' in this movie, or is everyone just out for themselves?"

Deep Dive

The Ritchie Renaissance

After a few years of flirting with big-budget Disney remakes and King Arthur re-imaginings, The Gentlemen saw Guy Ritchie heading back to the gritty, fast-talking crime genre that made him famous. It’s essentially a spiritual successor to Snatch, but with characters who have better tailors and more expensive lawyers.

The standout here isn't actually the lead—though McConaughey is solid—it's Hugh Grant as the sleazy private investigator Fletcher. He narrates the film as if he's pitching a screenplay, which allows the movie to play with time and perspective in a way that’s genuinely engaging. It’s a meta-narrative that keeps the viewer on their toes.

"There's only one rule in this jungle: when the lion's hungry, he eats."

From a developmental perspective, there isn't much 'growth' here, but it is a masterclass in narrative structure. If you have an older teen interested in filmmaking or screenwriting, analyzing how this movie builds its tension through dialogue rather than just explosions is actually a great exercise. Just be prepared for the fact that the 'cool factor' is heavily tied to the marijuana trade and a very specific brand of toxic masculinity. It's a fun ride, but it doesn't have a moral bone in its body.

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