The Half of It – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

The Half of It

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie2020

76%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

A smart, heartfelt indie where a cash-strapped teen ghostwrites love letters and accidentally falls for the girl—thoughtful LGBTQ+ coming-of-age gold.

6.9/10

97%

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The Half of It

movie

PG-13, 2020

76%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

A smart, heartfelt indie where a cash-strapped teen ghostwrites love letters and accidentally falls for the girl—thoughtful LGBTQ+ coming-of-age gold.

6.9

97%

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6.9/10

97%

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Screenwise Verdict

This is one of the smarter, more emotionally honest teen movies Netflix has produced. It's not flashy or fast-paced—it's contemplative, literary, and genuinely interested in exploring what it means to figure out who you are and who you love.

The LGBTQ+ representation is excellent and central to the story, handled with nuance and care. If your teen is ready for those themes (or already exploring them), this is a great watch. If not, maybe wait a year or two.

It's indie-film slow, so kids expecting a rom-com romp might zone out. But for teens who like character-driven stories with actual depth? This is a gem. The 97% critic score isn't hype—it's earned.

Age Fit

Best for ages 13-18. Mature middle schoolers and high schoolers will appreciate the intelligence and heart; younger kids won't connect with the themes, and college-age viewers might find it a touch young (though it's well-crafted enough to work for adults too).

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Models genuine friendship across social divides, emotional vulnerability, and kindness. The central relationship between Ellie and Paul develops through authentic connection rather than manipulation. Themes of self-discovery and acceptance are handled with care. Some mild language and teen romantic angst, but overall emotionally healthy and age-appropriate for teens.

Imaginative

A fresh, thoughtful take on the Cyrano de Bergerac story set in a small town with an Asian-American lesbian protagonist—not your typical teen rom-com territory. The film explores identity, sexuality, and friendship through a literary lens (references to Plato's philosophy of love). However, it's more contemplative than wildly creative; it invites reflection rather than active imagination-building.

Safe

Common Sense Media rates it 13+, which aligns with the content. No graphic violence, gore, or explicit sexual content. The main 'unsafe' elements are: some mild profanity, underage drinking at a party scene, and themes of unrequited love/coming out that could be emotionally intense for younger viewers. The LGBTQ+ storyline might be surprising for families who haven't discussed sexual orientation, but it's handled sensitively without explicit content. No jump scares or traumatic surprises.

Enriching

Exceptionally strong on empathy-building and personal growth. Explores complex themes: identity, sexuality, friendship vs. romance, cultural expectations, and what it means to truly know someone. References literature and philosophy in accessible ways. The 97% Rotten Tomatoes critic score reflects its intelligence and heart. Provides meaningful representation for LGBTQ+ teens and Asian-American experiences. Genuinely thought-provoking without being preachy.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Genuinely smart and literary without being pretentious—references Plato's philosophy of love in ways that actually land
Excellent LGBTQ+ representation that feels authentic, not tokenized or after-school-special-y
Models real friendship between unlikely people (brainy outcast + sweet jock) without falling into stereotypes
97% on Rotten Tomatoes for good reason—it's funny, touching, and doesn't talk down to teens
Great for sparking conversations about identity, sexuality, friendship, and what love actually means beyond rom-com tropes

⚠

What to Watch For

This is a coming-out story—Ellie realizes she's attracted to girls. If your teen isn't ready for LGBTQ+ themes, this isn't the pick
Slower-paced indie vibe, not a laugh-a-minute teen comedy—some kids will find it boring if they're expecting To All The Boys energy
Brief party scene with underage drinking and some mild language throughout
Emotionally complex—deals with unrequited love, loneliness, and cultural expectations around family and success

Conversation Starters

"Ellie says love is 'messy and horrible and selfish and bold'—what do you think she means by that?"
"How do you think Ellie's friendship with Paul changed both of them? Can friendship and romantic feelings coexist?"
"The movie references Plato's idea that humans were once whole and are searching for their other half. What do you think about that?"
"How does Ellie's experience as the only Asian-American family in a small town shape her story?"
"What would you do if you were in Paul's position and found out someone else wrote your letters?"

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