Logo What's After the Movie

The Wise Kids 2012

A poignant drama set within a Charleston Baptist church, the story follows three young people on the cusp of adulthood. Brea, the pastor’s daughter, wrestles with her faith and growing doubts. Her spirited best friend, Laura, and Tim, a compassionate newcomer, offer support as he struggles to accept his true identity. Facing uncertain futures and the imperfections of their community, the friends must find a balance between personal freedom and the security of tradition.

A poignant drama set within a Charleston Baptist church, the story follows three young people on the cusp of adulthood. Brea, the pastor’s daughter, wrestles with her faith and growing doubts. Her spirited best friend, Laura, and Tim, a compassionate newcomer, offer support as he struggles to accept his true identity. Facing uncertain futures and the imperfections of their community, the friends must find a balance between personal freedom and the security of tradition.

Does The Wise Kids have end credit scenes?

No!

The Wise Kids does not have end credit scenes. You can leave when the credits roll.

Meet the Full Cast and Actors of The Wise Kids

Explore the complete cast of The Wise Kids, including both lead and supporting actors. Learn who plays each character, discover their past roles and achievements, and find out what makes this ensemble cast stand out in the world of film and television.


No actors found

Ratings and Reviews for The Wise Kids

See how The Wise Kids is rated across major platforms like IMDb, Metacritic, and TMDb. Compare audience scores and critic reviews to understand where The Wise Kids stands among top-rated movies in its genre.


Metacritic

74

Metascore

tbd

User Score

Rotten Tomatoes
review

100%

TOMATOMETER

review

67%

User Score

IMDb

6.4 /10

IMDb Rating

TMDB

60

%

User Score

Take the Ultimate The Wise Kids Movie Quiz

Challenge your knowledge of The Wise Kids with this fun and interactive movie quiz. Test yourself on key plot points, iconic characters, hidden details, and memorable moments to see how well you really know the film.


The Wise Kids Quiz: Test your knowledge on the complexities of faith, friendship, and self-discovery in 'The Wise Kids'.

What event is approaching for Brea, Tim, and Laura in the movie?

Full Plot Summary and Ending Explained for The Wise Kids

See more

Read the complete plot summary of The Wise Kids, including all major events, twists, and the full ending explained in detail. Explore key characters, themes, hidden meanings, and everything you need to understand the story from beginning to end.


As graduation approaches, three high school seniors—Brea, Tim, and their dear friend Laura—are caught in the whirlwind of exploring their faith, identity, and relationships. Their South Carolina Baptist church, once a sanctuary, starts revealing its fractures as they prepare to say goodbye. For Brea, the seeds of doubt regarding her beliefs take root, creating tension with the devout Laura, who remains unwavering in her faith. Meanwhile, Tim grapples with the stirring feelings of his own sexuality, challenging the stability of his long-standing friendship with Laura.

Amidst these tensions, Brea finds a kindred spirit in Cheryl, a rebellious outcast unafraid to challenge the norms. It is through her influence that Brea’s disillusionment with the church’s strict doctrines deepens, pushing her to look critically at the contradictions within scripture. This newfound skepticism blooms into a strong sense of independence, igniting a journey that leads her to carve out her own beliefs and pathways.

Further complicating the narrative, Elizabeth, the wife of music director Austin, struggles within her marriage, feeling a disconnect despite their seemingly perfect life. Austin’s inability to connect on an intimate level has left Elizabeth in a state of frustration, prompting her to seek solace in Dylan, a married youth director, highlighting the fragile foundation of their union.

As Tim embarks on his self-discovery journey, he finds support in his father, Jerry, who, despite his initial reservations, steps up to guide his son. With his younger brother Brad still grappling with this unfolding reality, Tim seizes the chance to explore his sexuality and freedom at a dance club, surrendering to the music and passion of the moment.

With graduation nearing, Laura feels a growing chasm between herself and her friends, Tim and Brea, whose acceptance into New York University signals their departure from South Carolina. In her quest to maintain their connection, she turns to April, leading to an awkward lunch date with April’s cousin, Patrick, introducing a new dynamic into her life.

In a touching climax, the trio gathers for one final celebration before embarking on their college adventures. Laura earnestly urges Brea to stay true to her faith, yet it’s evident their paths are diverging. As they bid farewell, they each face the exhilarating uncertainty of their futures, holding tight to their beliefs and the treasured memories of their friendship.

As the semester concludes, the trio—now including Patrick in Laura’s life—returns home, their bond notably deeper from shared experiences. Jerry, curious about Tim’s college life, suggests he should explore romance, a nod to the changing dynamics in their family. The evening unfolds with a heartfelt moment as Austin confides in Tim about his own struggles with same-sex attractions. In an atmosphere charged with mixed emotions, Tim offers comfort, turning his solid friendship into a safe harbor for Austin’s vulnerability.

The narrative culminates in a poignant scene at the church’s living nativity. Here, the air filled with hope and love, Austin whispers sweet words to Elizabeth, “I love you,” to which she lovingly responds, “I love you, too.” This quiet yet profound exchange encapsulates the themes of acceptance, love, and friendship, leaving a lasting impression of the journey towards embracing one’s true self.

Uncover the Details: Timeline, Characters, Themes, and Beyond!

Watch Trailers, Clips & Behind-the-Scenes for The Wise Kids

See more

Watch official trailers, exclusive clips, cast interviews, and behind-the-scenes footage from The Wise Kids. Dive deeper into the making of the film, its standout moments, and key production insights.


THE WISE KIDS Trailer

Movie Themes and Keywords

Discover the central themes, ideas, and keywords that define the movie’s story, tone, and message. Analyze the film’s deeper meanings, genre influences, and recurring concepts.


homosexualitygay kissman dances with a mandancingdoubtbaptist churchbest friendsingle fathercoming of agebaptistchurchbedroomcharleston south carolinasouth carolinasummerbible beltbelief in heavenbelief in the afterlifechristianityfather son relationshipfamily relationshipsfather daughter relationshippreacher's daughterbaptist ministerministerpreacherprayerholding handshuggingpresentbirthday presentbirthdaybelief in godcrisis of faithyouth groupgay baptistfriendshipsingle parentgay teenagerteenage girlteenage boychristianreligionamerican southkissgay

Similar Movies You Should Know About

Browse a curated list of movies similar in genre, tone, characters, or story structure. Discover new titles like the one you're watching, perfect for fans of related plots, vibes, or cinematic styles.


© 2025 What's After the Movie. All rights reserved.