Dickens & Rumi
Cover of World's Best

film

World's Best

2023

Twelve-year-old mathematics genius Prem discovers his recently deceased father was a famous rapper and immediately sets out to learn more about his father’s life and passions. Empowered by imaginative hip-hop music-fueled fantasies, Prem is determined to find out if hip-hop truly is in his DNA.

Ages 8+Source checked

Why this age? PG family entertainment with grief over a deceased parent, bullying, a brief attempted attack and resulting broken arm, and emotionally meaningful coming-of-age themes. Musical fantasy and humor soften the intensity. This is guidance, not a safety guarantee; reading level and family context may differ.

Quick view

At a glance

Recommended age8+

Strongest cautions

  • Death of a character3/5
  • Violence2/5
  • Frightening scenes1/5

Strongest positives

  • Creativity & curiosity4/5
  • Positive messages4/5
  • Courage & resilience3/5

What’s in it?

Products & advertising1/5
Why this rating?

Mentions of real cultural icons (e.g., Doug E. Fresh) are incidental to the narrative.

Death of a character3/5
Why this rating?

The protagonist's father passed away from cancer prior to the film; grief is a central, respectful theme.

Strong language1/5
Why this rating?

Very mild language common in middle-school settings.

Romance1/5
Why this rating?

The parents’ past relationship and how they met are discussed, but romance is secondary and there is no indication of child dating.

Frightening scenes1/5
Why this rating?

Not scary; the father's spirit is a supportive and positive presence.

Violence2/5
Why this rating?

Bullying and heckling occur; Prem tries to attack a boy and breaks his own arm. Conflict is brief and not graphically presented.

What’s good in it?

Courage & resilience3/5
Why this rating?

The protagonist shows courage by stepping outside his comfort zone to perform.

Creativity & curiosity4/5
Why this rating?

Rap, hip-hop performance, imaginative musical sequences, rhymes, and using mathematics to express identity strongly encourage creative self-expression.

Diverse representation3/5
Why this rating?

The cast reflects a diverse representation of background and interests, centered on the experiences of a South Asian family.

Educational value3/5
Why this rating?

Math is central to Prem’s identity, schoolwork, and competition, but the movie encourages interest in math rather than teaching it directly.

Kindness & empathy3/5
Why this rating?

Friends and adults provide support, Claire saves the father’s book, and Prem and Jerome repair their friendship after conflict.

Positive messages4/5
Why this rating?

The film emphasizes self-knowledge, balancing goals with responsibilities, accepting imperfect parents, friendship, apology, teamwork, and defining success personally.

Good role models3/5
Why this rating?

Positive depictions of family communication and personal development.

Family discussion

Talk about it

Conversation starters based on this title’s published content notes.

  1. What was the most imaginative idea in the story, and what would you add to it?
  2. How did the story approach death or loss? What helped the characters cope?
  3. Which choice in World's Best would you have made differently, and why?
  4. Who changed the most in World's Best, and what caused that change?
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These content notes are a starting point, not a guarantee. Review the evidence and use your own judgment before choosing a title.

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