A Wrinkle in Time
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Screen for YOUR familyParent's Guide to A Wrinkle in Time
A Wrinkle in Time is a 2018 American science fantasy adventure film directed by Ava DuVernay, based on Madeleine L'Engle's classic 1962 novel. The story follows Meg Murry, a young girl struggling with self-worth, who embarks on an interstellar journey with her younger brother Charles Wallace and classmate Calvin O'Keefe to find her missing astrophysicist father. They are guided by three celestial beings, Mrs. Which, Mrs. Whatsit, and Mrs. Who, as they confront a cosmic evil known as 'The It' that threatens the universe. The film is a visually driven narrative exploring themes of self-belief, love, and the battle between light and darkness across various fantastical worlds. While offering positive messages about courage and family, the movie contains elements that may require parental guidance, particularly regarding its intense fantasy sequences and a notable divergence from the book's explicit Christian allegory.
Things to Consider
Witchcraft & Occult
Witchcraft and occult themes are central to the plot, involving supernatural beings, astral travel, and a cosmic battle against a personified evil. The film's worldview is described as 'strong New Age pagan,' emphasizing mind control and universal oneness, which is a significant departure from the book's Christian allegories.
The narrative features three celestial beings—Mrs. Which, Mrs. Whatsit, and Mrs. Who—who guide the children through space using 'tessering' (a form of astral travel). The main antagonist, 'The It,' is a black, creepy mass of pure evil that possesses Charles Wallace and manipulates others through mind control.
Scary & Intense Content
The movie contains frequent scary and intense scenes, including disturbing imagery, psychological threats, and moments of intense peril. These elements are a primary concern for younger viewers and contribute to the film's PG rating. The manifestation of 'The It' and Charles Wallace's possession are particularly unsettling.
Anti-Christian Themes
The film significantly deviates from Madeleine L'Engle's original novel, which carried explicit Christian themes and allegories. The movie largely removes these elements, replacing them with a 'strong New Age pagan worldview' that emphasizes self-belief, universal oneness, and mind control, incorporating references from various non-Christian spiritual figures. This thematic shift is a major concern for Christian parents.
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Additional Context
Best For Ages
Parental Guidance is recommended for children under 13, with the film being suitable for children aged 10 and above, especially given the intense thematic elements, frightening scenes, and a worldview shift from the original source material. While rated PG, the presence of scary imagery, a central occult theme, and implied relationships warrants careful consideration for younger or more sensitive viewers.
Good to Know
The film's visual spectacle is often praised, but its narrative coherence has received mixed reviews. The differences in thematic emphasis between the original book and the movie adaptation are notable, particularly for parents familiar with L'Engle's Christian faith influencing her work. No information was found regarding extended or director's cuts, or significant tonal shifts in hypothetical sequels.
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