Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

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Screenwise Verdict

Yesterday is a charming, feel-good rom-com with a genuinely clever premise that makes it stand out from the pack. The idea of a world without the Beatles is fun to think about, and the film uses it to explore themes of integrity, authenticity, and the price of fame in a way that's accessible for teens.

That said, it's firmly PG-13—frequent sexual jokes, mild profanity, and party drinking scenes mean younger kids should sit this one out. The content isn't shocking, but it's not subtle either. For families with teens (13+), especially those who love music or want a lighter discussion about honesty and choices, this is a solid pick.

The film is more 'pleasant' than 'profound'—it's entertaining and has good messages, but it's not going to blow anyone's mind. The Beatles music carries a lot of the emotional weight, and if your teen isn't into classic rock, the appeal might be limited. Still, it's a fun, low-stakes watch that won't leave you cringing or worrying about what your kid just saw. Just maybe prep for some questions about those sex jokes.

Age Fit

Best for ages 13+ due to PG-13 content (sexual jokes, mild profanity, drinking scenes). Teens and adults—especially Beatles fans—will enjoy the clever premise and feel-good romance. Younger kids should skip it; the humor and themes are aimed squarely at a teen-and-up audience.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

72

PG-13 rom-com with positive themes of integrity, honesty, and choosing personal relationships over fame. Models courage and staying true to oneself. However, frequent sexual jokes ('making sweet love,' 'all the girls want to sleep with Jack,' crude sibling incest joke), profanity (s--t, son of a bitch, goddamn), and party scenes with excessive drinking lower the wholesomeness. The emotional core is healthy—friendship, love, moral dilemmas—but the execution includes enough suggestive content to keep it firmly in the teen-and-up category.

Imaginative

81

The central premise—a world where the Beatles never existed—is genuinely clever and invites fascinating 'what if' thinking. It's a fantasy concept that plays with alternate reality and cultural memory in a fun, accessible way. The Beatles soundtrack provides a nostalgic, music-driven appeal that can spark curiosity about the band's legacy and cultural impact. However, the film doesn't push boundaries beyond its premise; it's more execution of a great idea than groundbreaking storytelling.

Safe

78

PG-13 rating is appropriate and transparent. One bus-accident scene (Jack gets hit, knocked unconscious) is the only violence—brief and not graphic. Sexual content is all verbal innuendo and jokes, no nudity or explicit scenes. Profanity is occasional and mild by PG-13 standards. Substance use shows adults drinking to excess at parties but isn't glorified. No surprise trauma or disturbing content beyond what's expected in a PG-13 rom-com. The main safety consideration is that younger kids (under 13) might find the sexual jokes confusing or inappropriate, but for the target teen audience, it's predictable and manageable.

Enriching

68

The film tackles meaningful themes: the moral dilemma of taking credit for others' work, the price of fame vs. authenticity, and the importance of personal integrity. Jack's choice between global stardom and honest relationships offers solid discussion material for teens. The Beatles music itself is culturally enriching and may introduce younger viewers to classic rock history. However, the film is ultimately a light rom-com—entertaining and feel-good but not particularly deep or challenging. It's more 'pleasant takeaway' than 'transformative experience.' Common Sense Media notes the positive messages, but the execution is breezy rather than profound.

Parent Info

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Why It Might Be Great

The 'what if the Beatles never existed' concept is genuinely clever and sparks fun conversations about cultural impact and alternate realities
Positive messages about integrity, honesty, and choosing authentic relationships over fame—Jack's moral dilemma is relatable for teens
Beatles soundtrack is a nostalgic, music-driven treat that can introduce teens to classic rock history
Light, feel-good rom-com tone makes it an easy, enjoyable watch for family movie night with older kids
Directed by Danny Boyle with a likable lead performance from Himesh Patel

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What to Watch For

Frequent sexual jokes and innuendo ('making sweet love,' 'all the girls want to sleep with Jack,' crude sibling sex joke)—not graphic but definitely PG-13 territory
Occasional profanity: s--t, son of a bitch, ass, goddamn—mild but present
Party scenes with adults drinking to excess, plus one bus-accident scene where Jack is hit and knocked unconscious
Younger kids (under 13) will likely find the sexual jokes confusing or inappropriate; this is squarely a teen-and-up movie

Conversation Starters

"If you could take credit for someone else's work and become famous, would you? What would stop you—or not stop you?"
"What Beatles songs did you recognize? Did you know any of them before watching?"
"Jack chose his relationship with Ellie over global fame. Do you think that was the right call? What would you have done?"
"The movie imagines a world without the Beatles. What band or artist do you think has had the biggest cultural impact in your lifetime?"

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