The Peanut Butter Falcon – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

The Peanut Butter Falcon

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie2019

78%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

A beautiful, gritty buddy adventure that treats disability with dignity—think Huck Finn meets wrestling dreams in the rural South.

7.6/10

95%

7.4

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The Peanut Butter Falcon

movie

PG-13, 2019

78%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

A beautiful, gritty buddy adventure that treats disability with dignity—think Huck Finn meets wrestling dreams in the rural South.

7.6

95%

7.4

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7.6/10

95%

7.4

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Screenwise Verdict

This is one of those rare indie gems that does something genuinely important—it centers a person with Down syndrome as a fully-realized protagonist with dreams, agency, and complexity, not as inspiration porn or a side character. The friendship between Zak and Tyler is earned and real, not saccharine.

That said, this isn't a kids' movie. It's gritty, emotionally mature, and deals with heavy themes like abandonment and institutionalization. The pacing is deliberate (read: slow by modern standards), and there's likely some language and adult situations.

For families with tweens and teens, especially those looking to expand their kids' understanding of disability, friendship, and human dignity, this is gold. It's the kind of film that sparks real conversations and shifts perspectives. Just know you're signing up for a thoughtful drama, not a feel-good romp—and that's actually what makes it so valuable.

Age Fit

Best for ages 10-17, particularly for tweens and teens who are ready for more emotionally complex stories and can handle mature themes. The authentic disability representation makes this valuable viewing, but younger kids will miss the nuance and may find it slow.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

A heartwarming story centered on friendship, acceptance, and human dignity. The film models genuine kindness and cooperation between unlikely companions, with the relationship between Tyler (the fisherman) and Zak (a young man with Down syndrome) serving as a beautiful example of seeing past differences. The pacing is gentle and contemplative rather than chaotic, though the rural Southern setting and down-on-their-luck characters keep it grounded and real rather than saccharine.

Imaginative

The premise of a Huck Finn-style adventure through the North Carolina waterways with an unlikely duo pursuing a dream of professional wrestling shows solid originality. The film invites viewers to imagine different possibilities for people with disabilities and challenges societal expectations. However, it's more character-driven than world-building, and doesn't necessarily inspire active creative expression or exploration in viewers the way interactive or fantastical media might.

Safe

The film deals with mature themes including abandonment, mild violence (wrestling-related and some confrontational moments), alcohol use, and likely some profanity typical of PG-13 fare. Without confirmed MPAA rating data, but given the 'down-on-his-luck crab fisherman' premise and drama genre, there are likely some tense or emotionally heavy moments. The story involves a young man escaping a care facility, which could be concerning. Not inappropriate for tweens/teens, but definitely has content that would be unexpected and potentially upsetting for younger children.

Enriching

Exceptionally enriching for its authentic representation of a person with Down syndrome as a fully-realized protagonist with agency, dreams, and complexity. The film offers profound lessons about dignity, friendship across differences, pursuing dreams despite obstacles, and challenging societal assumptions about disability. The TMDB rating of 7.4 suggests strong audience reception. This is the kind of film that builds empathy and shifts perspectives in meaningful ways while remaining genuinely entertaining and emotionally resonant.

Parent Info

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Why It Might Be Great

Features authentic, respectful representation of a person with Down syndrome as the hero of his own story
Models genuine friendship and seeing people for who they are rather than their labels or limitations
Teaches about pursuing dreams despite obstacles and societal expectations
Offers a slower-paced, character-driven alternative to typical action-adventure films
Builds empathy and challenges assumptions in ways that stick with viewers long after the credits roll

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What to Watch For

Mature themes about abandonment, institutionalization, and being society's 'forgotten' people—emotionally heavy stuff
Likely some language, alcohol use, and tense moments typical of PG-13 indie dramas
The 'escaping from a care facility' plot could raise questions about authority and safety that need context
Rural poverty and 'down on their luck' characters mean this isn't a polished, sanitized world

Conversation Starters

"Why do you think Zak's dream of becoming a wrestler was so important to him?"
"How did Tyler change throughout the movie? What did Zak teach him?"
"What does it mean to treat someone with dignity? Did the retirement home do that?"
"Have you ever felt like people didn't see the 'real you' or made assumptions about what you could do?"
"What makes someone a good friend in this movie?"

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