The Young Offenders – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

The Young Offenders

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie2016

58%

WISE Score

100

Avg. Tomatometer

Two Irish teens chase a missing cocaine bale on stolen bikes—it's funnier and sweeter than it has any right to be, but the language is brutal.

7.1/10

100%

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The Young Offenders

movie

PG-13, 2016

58%

WISE Score

100

Avg. Tomatometer

Two Irish teens chase a missing cocaine bale on stolen bikes—it's funnier and sweeter than it has any right to be, but the language is brutal.

7.1

100%

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7.1/10

100%

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Screenwise Verdict

Look, this is a genuinely well-made comedy with a 100% Rotten Tomatoes score and real heart. The two leads are charming, the friendship is authentic, and it doesn't actually glorify crime—these boys are lovable morons, not antiheroes.

But holy hell, the language. If you're considering this for a 13-year-old, know that 'ct' gets thrown around like punctuation, and 'fk' is practically every third word. It's Irish working-class vernacular, sure, but it's a lot.

The cocaine-chase premise sounds worse than it plays—the tone is more 'Dumb and Dumber on bikes' than 'Breaking Bad: Teen Edition.' Still, it's not exactly wholesome family viewing.

For older teens (15+) with a tolerance for rough language, this is actually a smart pick—funny, well-crafted, surprisingly sweet. For younger or more sensitive kids, it's a hard pass. Know your audience.

Age Fit

This is firmly 15+ territory, maybe 14 for mature teens with parents who are very comfortable with strong language. The 13+ Common Sense rating feels optimistic given the severity of the profanity. Adults will appreciate the craft and heart; younger teens will just hear a lot of swearing.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Two working-class Irish teens on a misguided adventure show genuine friendship and loyalty, but the premise revolves around chasing cocaine for profit. The tone is comedic rather than glorifying, and the boys are portrayed as hapless rather than criminal masterminds. However, the frequent strong profanity (including multiple uses of 'c**t' per IMDb) and the central drug-crime plot keep this from being emotionally healthy for younger viewers.

Imaginative

The film takes a real-world event (Ireland's largest cocaine seizure) and spins it into an absurdist caper with two clueless teens on stolen bikes. The comedy comes from the contrast between their grand ambitions and their complete incompetence. It's creative in its regional specificity and character-driven humor, though it's more character comedy than world-building imagination.

Safe

Heavy profanity throughout including 'c**t' and frequent 'f**k' usage. The entire premise centers on teenagers attempting to find and profit from cocaine. While the tone is comedic and the boys are portrayed sympathetically rather than as hardened criminals, this is not content that would be appropriate for a young child to stumble upon. Common Sense Media rates it 13+, but even at that age, parents should expect very strong language.

Enriching

Beneath the profanity and drug-chase premise is a surprisingly warm portrait of working-class Irish teens, friendship, and youthful foolishness. The film has heart and doesn't glamorize crime—the boys are lovable idiots, not antiheroes. It offers insight into Irish culture and class dynamics, and the 100% Rotten Tomatoes score suggests genuine craft. For older teens, it's entertaining and has more substance than the premise suggests, though it's not exactly educational.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

100% on Rotten Tomatoes—critics loved this scrappy Irish comedy that punches above its weight
Genuine friendship and heart beneath the profanity-laced caper; the boys are endearing idiots, not criminals
Offers a window into working-class Irish life and humor with regional authenticity
Spawned a successful TV series, suggesting the characters and world resonated with audiences
Balances absurdist comedy with surprising warmth—it's a character study disguised as a crime caper

⚠

What to Watch For

Severe profanity including multiple uses of 'ct' and constant 'fk'—this is not exaggerated, it's genuinely rough language throughout
The entire plot revolves around teenagers attempting to find and sell cocaine, though it's played for comedy rather than glamorized
Drug and alcohol references throughout (it's set around a massive drug bust)
Best for families comfortable with edgy Irish humor and strong language; not for sensitive viewers or younger teens

Conversation Starters

"Why do you think the boys thought chasing the cocaine was a good idea? What would you have done?"
"The movie makes their terrible plan funny—does that change how you think about the consequences they could have faced?"
"What does the film show about their friendship? Would you go on a crazy adventure with your best friend?"
"How does growing up in a working-class town affect what opportunities the boys think they have?"

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