Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

show2024

58%

WISE Score

5.5

IMDb

Lara Croft's animated Netflix adventure delivers action and archaeology but lands somewhere between 'meh' and 'fine, I guess.'

5.5/10

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Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft

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TV-14, 2024

58%

WISE Score

5.5

IMDb

Lara Croft's animated Netflix adventure delivers action and archaeology but lands somewhere between 'meh' and 'fine, I guess.'

5.5

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Screenwise Verdict

Look, this is fine. It's Tomb Raider in animated form—you get exactly what's on the tin. Lara jumps, shoots, solves ancient puzzles, and works through her feelings between explosions.

The problem? That 5.5 IMDb rating and 65 Metacritic score tell the real story: this is aggressively... fine. Not terrible, not great, just existing in that Netflix animated limbo where it checks boxes without really exciting anyone. If your teen is a die-hard Tomb Raider fan, sure. If they're looking for something genuinely compelling, there are better options.

The action violence is standard for the genre—14+ makes sense—and having a capable female lead in archaeology is cool. But the execution appears to be 'streaming service filler' rather than 'must-watch.' It won't hurt anyone, but it probably won't stick with them either.

Age Fit

Best for teens 14+ who enjoy action-adventure and can handle moderate violence and intense sequences. The trauma themes and solo-heavy narrative make it less appropriate for younger viewers seeking lighter fare. Adults might find it forgettable based on the lukewarm reception.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

An action-adventure series that centers on confronting trauma and personal growth, but the tone is intense and combat-heavy rather than emotionally nurturing. Lara operates mostly solo, limiting opportunities to model cooperation or kindness. The pacing is high-stakes chase sequences, which can feel relentless rather than balanced.

Imaginative

Globe-trotting adventure with ancient mysteries and archaeological puzzles offers solid world-building and exploration themes. The Tomb Raider franchise is built on curiosity and discovery, though this animated series likely follows familiar action-adventure beats rather than breaking new ground. Invites interest in history and problem-solving, but doesn't appear to offer interactive creative expression.

Safe

Common Sense Media rates it 14+, suggesting moderate violence and intense action sequences typical of the franchise. IMDb's 5.5 rating hints at mixed reception, possibly including concerns about execution. Expect gunfights, hand-to-hand combat, peril, and potentially some scary imagery. The 'confronting traumatic past' element suggests emotional intensity. Available on Netflix with Kids Mode, but this isn't kids' content—teens should expect action violence without gore, but it's predictable for the genre.

Enriching

Themes of confronting trauma, perseverance, and self-discovery offer some emotional depth. Archaeological and historical elements can spark interest in ancient civilizations. Features a capable female protagonist in a STEM-adjacent field (archaeology/problem-solving). However, the middling critical reception (Metacritic 65, IMDb 5.5) suggests the execution may be formulaic rather than genuinely insightful. Entertainment value appears moderate based on audience response.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Strong female protagonist who solves problems with brains and brawn—archaeology meets action hero
Globe-trotting adventures that spark curiosity about ancient civilizations and historical mysteries
Explores themes of confronting past trauma and personal growth within an action framework
Animated format makes intense action more palatable than live-action violence for younger teens

⚠

What to Watch For

Expect consistent action violence—gunfights, combat, peril—throughout, appropriate for 14+ but not younger kids
The 5.5 IMDb rating suggests this might not hold attention even for fans; it's apparently just... okay
Heavy focus on solo adventure means limited modeling of teamwork or interpersonal relationships
Emotional intensity around trauma themes may require check-ins with sensitive teens

Conversation Starters

"What do you think drives Lara to keep going on these dangerous adventures? Is it worth the risk?"
"If you could explore any ancient civilization or mystery, which would you choose and why?"
"How do you think confronting scary things from your past helps you grow? Does avoiding them ever work?"
"What skills would you actually need to be an archaeologist versus what movies show us?"

Stills