Trevor Noah: Afraid of the Dark – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Trevor Noah: Afraid of the Dark

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie2017

58%

WISE Score

100

Avg. Tomatometer

Trevor Noah's 2017 comedy special tackles race and politics with intelligence—but it's definitely not family movie night material.

7.3/10

100%

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Trevor Noah: Afraid of the Dark

movie

TV-MA, 2017

58%

WISE Score

100

Avg. Tomatometer

Trevor Noah's 2017 comedy special tackles race and politics with intelligence—but it's definitely not family movie night material.

7.3

100%

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7.3/10

100%

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Screenwise Verdict

Here's the deal: Trevor Noah is brilliant, and this special showcases his unique perspective on race, immigration, and American politics. The critics were unanimous in their praise.

But that 43% audience score? That's the real story. This special is polarizing. Some families will find it insightful and hilarious; others will find it offensive or just not funny. It's also from 2017, so some of the political references feel dated now.

If you have a high schooler who's interested in social commentary and can handle adult language, this could be a solid watch and conversation starter. But this isn't a 'let's all gather around' family special—it's mature content that requires maturity to appreciate. And honestly, if your teen isn't already into this kind of comedy, they'll probably just be bored.

Age Fit

This is for older teens (15+) and adults. The 13+ rating is technically accurate, but realistically, most 13-year-olds won't appreciate the nuanced political commentary, and parents will cringe at the language. High schoolers interested in social issues and comedy will get the most out of it.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

As a stand-up special tackling race, immigration, and politics, it models thoughtful discourse on difficult topics with humor. However, the content includes profanity and adult themes that aren't emotionally appropriate for younger viewers. Noah's tone is generally kind and insightful rather than mean-spirited, but the material is designed for mature audiences.

Imaginative

Noah brings a unique South African perspective to American politics and race relations, offering fresh angles on familiar topics. His storytelling weaves personal experiences with social commentary in creative ways. However, as a stand-up special, it's more about consuming his perspective than inviting active creative expression from viewers.

Safe

Common Sense Media rates this 13+, and the content includes profanity, sexual references, and mature political/racial themes. While there's no graphic violence or nudity, the language and adult subject matter make it inappropriate for younger children. The low audience score (43% on RT) suggests some viewers found content objectionable or divisive. This isn't 'surprise' inappropriate content—it's a comedy special—but it's definitely not safe for family viewing with young kids.

Enriching

100% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes and 7.3/10 on IMDb indicate strong quality. Noah offers genuinely insightful commentary on race, immigration, and international relations through a comedic lens. His cross-cultural perspective (South African immigrant hosting The Daily Show) provides valuable viewpoints on American society. The special can spark important conversations about identity and politics, though the entertainment value clearly resonates more with critics than general audiences.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Offers a unique immigrant perspective on American race relations and politics that can broaden teens' worldview
Critics loved it (100% RT score) for its smart, thoughtful approach to difficult topics
Can spark meaningful conversations about identity, immigration, and social issues with older teens
Noah's storytelling style makes complex political topics accessible and engaging

⚠

What to Watch For

Profanity throughout—this is adult stand-up comedy, not The Daily Show clips
Sexual references and mature themes that aren't appropriate for middle schoolers
Political content that some families may find divisive (the 43% audience score vs 100% critic score tells a story)
Best saved for high schoolers who can engage with the nuance, not younger teens

Conversation Starters

"What did you think about Noah's perspective on being an immigrant in America? How is his experience different from people born here?"
"He jokes about some pretty serious topics like race and politics. When do you think humor helps us talk about hard things, and when might it not?"
"Noah grew up in South Africa during apartheid. How do you think that shaped how he sees America?"
"The critics loved this but regular audiences were split. Why do you think there's such a big gap in the ratings?"

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