Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

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Screenwise Verdict

Look, I'm going to be straight with you: if you're on Screenwise looking for content for your kids, this ain't it. Uncut Gems is a brilliant, exhausting, anxiety-inducing masterpiece of adult cinema that has zero business being anywhere near a family watchlist.

Adam Sandler is genuinely phenomenal as Howard Ratner, a jeweler who can't stop gambling his way toward rock bottom. The Safdie Brothers created a two-hour panic attack that critics loved and audiences found... well, stressful as hell. It's the kind of movie where you need a shower and a nap afterward.

The WISE score is abysmal because this film actively works against every principle we care about: it's unwholesome (addiction, betrayal, chaos), unsafe (violence, language, sexual content), and while it's imaginative and somewhat enriching for mature viewers, those positives can't overcome the fact that this is essentially a filmed panic attack about a terrible person making terrible choices.

If you have a 17+ year old who's interested in serious cinema and can handle intense, adult content, maybe. But honestly? There are a thousand better films to watch as a family. This one's for when the kids are asleep and you want to feel like your own life choices aren't that bad in comparison.

Age Fit

This is strictly adult content (17+), and even then, only for viewers who can handle extreme stress, profanity, violence, and dark themes. Not suitable for family viewing under any circumstances.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

15

This film is the opposite of wholesome—it's an anxiety-inducing spiral centered on gambling addiction, infidelity, toxic relationships, and self-destructive behavior. Howard is not a role model; he lies, cheats, manipulates everyone around him, and shows zero growth. The pacing is deliberately chaotic and relentlessly stressful, designed to keep viewers on edge. No kindness, no cooperation, just a man burning every bridge.

Imaginative

72

The Safdie Brothers crafted a genuinely original thriller that immerses viewers in the frenetic world of NYC's Diamond District. The use of an Ethiopian opal as a MacGuffin, the authentic setting, and the propulsive editing create a unique cinematic experience. It's not imaginative in a 'build something' sense, but it's creative filmmaking that takes risks and delivers a distinctive vision of urban desperation.

Safe

8

This is emphatically NOT safe content. While we lack specific MPAA rating data, this film is widely known to contain pervasive strong language (constant F-bombs), graphic violence including a shocking ending, sexual content, nudity, and intense themes of gambling addiction and criminal behavior. The entire film is designed to create maximum anxiety and stress. This would be completely inappropriate for children or even most teens to stumble upon unexpectedly.

Enriching

58

For mature viewers, there's genuine value in this cautionary tale about addiction, consequences, and the American dream gone toxic. Adam Sandler's performance is revelatory, showing serious dramatic range. The film offers insight into gambling psychology and the desperation of always chasing the next win. However, it's more of a stress test than an uplifting experience, and the 'lesson' is delivered via tragedy rather than growth. Entertainment value is high for adults who can handle intensity, but enrichment is limited by the nihilistic worldview.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Adam Sandler delivers a career-best dramatic performance that's genuinely compelling
Authentic, immersive look at NYC's Diamond District and high-stakes gambling culture
Masterclass in tension-building filmmaking—the Safdie Brothers know how to make you feel every bad decision
For older teens/adults, a powerful cautionary tale about addiction and consequences
The ending will haunt you (not in a kid-friendly way)

⚠

What to Watch For

Pervasive strong language throughout—this might have the highest F-bomb count of any 2019 film
Graphic violence including a shocking, disturbing ending
Sexual content and nudity
The entire film is designed to create maximum anxiety—even adults find it stressful
Gambling addiction portrayed in unflinching detail with zero redemption arc
Absolutely not appropriate for anyone under 17, and honestly many adults will find it too intense

Conversation Starters

"Why do you think Howard kept making riskier bets even when he was digging himself deeper?"
"What does this film say about the 'always chasing the win' mentality in American culture?"
"How did the filmmaking style—the constant noise, chaos, tight shots—make you feel?"
"Do you think Howard ever had a chance to break his pattern, or was he always doomed?"
"What's the difference between taking calculated risks and destructive gambling?"

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