The Gift – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

The Gift

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie2000

38%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

A psychic in small-town Georgia investigates a missing socialite in this domestic violence-heavy Southern Gothic thriller that's aged like sweet tea in the sun.

6.7/10

57%

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The Gift

movie

R, 2000

38%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

A psychic in small-town Georgia investigates a missing socialite in this domestic violence-heavy Southern Gothic thriller that's aged like sweet tea in the sun.

6.7

57%

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Screenwise Verdict

This is one of those early 2000s thrillers that critics found 'competent' and audiences found 'fine'—which is code for forgettable. The 57% RT score tells the story: decent performances (Blanchett is always watchable) wrapped in a predictable murder mystery that thinks it's deeper than it is.

The domestic violence content is heavy and central to the plot, not just background flavor. If you're looking for a mature thriller about a psychic in the South, this exists. But it's aged poorly—the pacing drags, the Southern Gothic atmosphere tips into stereotype, and the whole thing feels like a Lifetime movie with better actors.

For parents: this is obviously not for kids. For adults looking for something to stream: there are better options from 2000 (Memento, Requiem for a Dream, even Frequency) and definitely better thrillers today. Unless you're a completist for one of the actors, you can skip this without missing much.

Age Fit

This is adult content, full stop. The 17+ rating reflects genuine domestic violence, murder investigation content, and mature themes that make it inappropriate for teens. Even mature 16-year-olds should probably wait—there's nothing here they need to see early.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

A Southern Gothic thriller centered on murder, domestic violence, and infidelity. The psychic protagonist is sympathetic, but the narrative explores dark human behavior including abuse and suspicion. The emotional tone is tense and disturbing rather than uplifting, with characters modeling manipulation and violence more than cooperation or kindness.

Imaginative

The psychic abilities angle offers some supernatural intrigue, and the murder mystery structure requires viewers to piece together clues. However, this is a straightforward thriller that doesn't particularly invite creative thinking or exploration—it's a passive viewing experience with a linear narrative. The small-town Southern setting has atmospheric elements but nothing groundbreaking for the genre.

Safe

Common Sense Media rates this for 17+, which tracks. This contains domestic violence, murder investigation content, likely disturbing imagery related to the missing woman, and mature themes around abuse and sexual assault. The horror/thriller elements mean there's tension and potentially graphic content that would be inappropriate for younger viewers. Not something you'd want a kid stumbling onto.

Enriching

Mixed critical reception (57% RT critics, 6.7 IMDb) suggests competent but not exceptional execution. There's potential for discussion about how communities handle violence, the reliability of intuition versus evidence, and class dynamics in small Southern towns. Cate Blanchett and Keanu Reeves give solid performances. But it's ultimately a genre thriller without deep philosophical weight or lasting insight.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Strong cast including Cate Blanchett, Keanu Reeves, and Hilary Swank delivering committed performances
Explores how small communities handle secrets, class divides, and violence against women
The psychic angle adds supernatural texture to an otherwise grounded murder mystery
Southern Gothic atmosphere with genuine sense of place and regional tension

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What to Watch For

Domestic violence is a central theme—abuse scenes and the aftermath are depicted
Murder investigation content with potentially disturbing imagery
Sexual assault themes and mature relationship content throughout
This is strictly adult fare; the 17+ rating is earned
Early 2000s pacing and style may feel sluggish to viewers raised on modern thrillers

Conversation Starters

"How do you think small towns handle secrets differently than cities? Does everyone knowing everyone make things better or worse?"
"The movie shows how people dismiss or believe psychic abilities based on their biases. What makes us trust or distrust someone's intuition?"
"Why do you think communities sometimes protect abusers instead of victims? What would need to change?"
"The class dynamics between Jessica and Annabelle drive a lot of the tension. How does money affect how people are treated when they go missing?"

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