The Hornet's Nest – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

The Hornet's Nest

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie2014

38%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Father-son war journalists embed with troops in Afghanistan—real bullets, real danger, and a documentary that's more intense than most fiction.

6.7/10

72%

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The Hornet's Nest

movie

R, 2014

38%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Father-son war journalists embed with troops in Afghanistan—real bullets, real danger, and a documentary that's more intense than most fiction.

6.7

72%

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6.7/10

72%

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Screenwise Verdict

Let's be real: this isn't family movie night material. The Hornet's Nest is a serious war documentary with real combat footage, real danger, and real emotional weight. It's well-made and offers genuine insight into America's longest war, but it's also intense, potentially traumatic, and frankly pretty niche in its appeal.

For the right audience—mature teens interested in journalism or military history, adults wanting to understand the war—it's valuable and enriching. But for most families? This is a pass. The documentary format lacks the narrative drive of a feature film, and the constant combat footage is exhausting even for adults.

If you have a 17-year-old considering military service or journalism, this could spark important conversations. Otherwise, there are less intense ways to learn about Afghanistan.

Age Fit

This is strictly 16+ territory, and honestly, even that's pushing it for sensitive teens. Best for mature high schoolers with an interest in military history or journalism, or adults who want to understand the Afghanistan war beyond news clips.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

This is a raw war documentary showing real combat in Afghanistan. While it models courage and father-son bonding, the emotional tone is intense and stressful—constant danger, soldiers under fire, casualties. Not emotionally healthy viewing for younger audiences; the pacing is chaotic by nature of combat footage.

Imaginative

As a documentary, it provides unprecedented access to a war zone, which is unique. However, it's observational rather than creative or exploratory. No invitation to build, create, or imagine—it's about documenting reality. The father-son journalism angle adds some human interest but doesn't elevate imaginative engagement significantly.

Safe

This is combat footage with real violence, gunfire, explosions, and the threat of death throughout. Common Sense Media rates it 16+. While there's likely no graphic gore or sexual content, the constant violence and war trauma make it unsafe for younger viewers. This is exactly the kind of 'surprise death or violence' that would be inappropriate for a child to encounter unexpectedly.

Enriching

For mature teens and adults, this offers significant educational value about the Afghanistan war, military life, and war journalism. The father-son dynamic adds emotional depth. Critics gave it 72% on RT, suggesting it provides meaningful insight into America's longest war. However, the enrichment is limited to those old enough to process war content maturely.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Unprecedented access to real combat situations that most war movies can't replicate
Unique father-son dynamic adds emotional weight to the journalism angle
Educational for older teens interested in military history or understanding the Afghanistan war beyond headlines
Strong critical reception (72% RT) suggests it's well-crafted and respectful to the soldiers depicted

⚠

What to Watch For

This is real war footage—constant gunfire, explosions, soldiers in danger, and the psychological weight of combat throughout
Absolutely not for anyone under 16; even mature teens may find it emotionally heavy
Documentary pacing may feel slow or dry compared to narrative films—this isn't 'entertainment' in the traditional sense
Limited appeal if your teen isn't already interested in military history or current events

Conversation Starters

"What do you think it would be like to be a journalist in a war zone? Would you ever want to do something that dangerous?"
"How do you think the soldiers felt having cameras following them during actual combat?"
"What surprised you most about what modern warfare actually looks like compared to movies?"
"Do you think the father was right to bring his son into that situation? What would you have done?"

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