Common Sense Media Review
By Kat Halstead
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Spirited sci-fi adventure with moderate violence, smoking.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 12+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Watch the Skies
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
In WATCH THE SKIES, rebellious teen Denise (Inez Dahl Torhaug) is living in foster care after the mysterious disappearance of her UFO-chasing father years before. When his car seems to miraculously fall from the sky, her hopes are reignited and she joins forces with the ragtag members of UFO Sweden to investigate the unexplained phenomenon at play.
Is It Any Good?
While there's nothing particularly groundbreaking here, this is a charming, very watchable sci-fi adventure that borrows from popular hits like Stranger Things and The X-Files to entertaining effect. Watch the Skies' unsettling electronic soundscapes will prove particularly familiar to fans of the genre, and the period setting—1990s Sweden rather than Stranger Things' '80s Indiana—is rendered with impressive care. It's the first full feature film to be AI dubbed into English, which is successful for the most part, but has an "uncanny valley" feeling at times. Both Torhaug and Jesper Barkselius give strong performances as the unlikely pairing at the center of the film, though a bit more screen time for the other oddball members of the UFO group might have added a little more unique color. Plenty of covert missions and car chases keep the tension high, and there are just enough glimpses of extraterrestrial happenings to keep viewers guessing without showing too much. What's less believable than the sci-fi elements is how easy it proves to evade the authorities, time and again—particularly for a teenager. But for those willing to suspend disbelief along with the group of UFO-chasing underdogs, this is a thrilling ride with plenty of charm and spirit.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how Watch the Skies portrayed the concept of truth. Why was the truth important and why were some people willing to go to dangerous lengths in pursuit of it? What were some of the positive and negative impacts of characters discovering various truths?
How did characters show perseverance, curiosity, and courage? How did those characteristics help move the plot along? Can you think of times you've shown any of those in your own life?
Discuss the film's violence. Did it feel excessive, or just right for the tone of the movie? Does exposure to violent media desensitize kids to violence?
How was smoking and drinking depicted in the film? Was it glamorized? Why does that matter?
The movie is the first full feature film to be AI dubbed into English. What do you think about that? Is it a good thing or not? What other ways might AI impact filmmaking? What are some important considerations when using AI?
Movie Details
- In theaters : May 9, 2025
- On DVD or streaming : July 8, 2025
- Cast : Inez Dahl Torhaug , Jesper Barkselius , Sara Shirpey
- Director : Victor Danell
- Studios : Falling Forward Films , XYZ Films
- Genre : Science Fiction
- Topics : Adventures , Aliens , Space
- Character Strengths : Courage , Curiosity , Perseverance
- Run time : 115 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : some violent content/bloody images, language and smoking.
- Last updated : March 29, 2026
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