Alice Through the Looking Glass
Alice Through the Looking Glass is a visually stunning fantasy-adventure film, serving as a sequel to the 2010 movie adaptation of Lewis Carroll's classic. The story follows Alice Kingsleigh as she returns to Underland to save the Mad Hatter, who is gravely ill and convinced his family is still alive. To help him, Alice embarks on a perilous journey through time, encountering various whimsical characters and confronting Time himself. The movie explores themes of family, friendship, self-belief, and challenging societal expectations, particularly regarding women's roles in the Victorian era. It is generally aimed at a younger audience capable of handling some intense fantasy action, while also offering elements that adults may appreciate.
Concerns
LGBTQ & Gender Identity
MediumThe film strongly promotes themes of female empowerment and defiance of patriarchal societal norms, with Alice pursuing a non-traditional path as a sea captain. There is also a single critic's interpretation suggesting Johnny Depp's Mad Hatter character as a 'gay redheaded alien,' although this is not explicitly stated in the film's narrative or by its creators.
Alice Kingsleigh actively rebels against the expectations of Victorian society, refusing to sell her father's ship and instead insisting on continuing her career as a sea captain, a role uncommon for women of that era. This defiance is portrayed as a core aspect of her character. Additionally, one film review characterizes Johnny Depp's Mad Hatter as playing a 'gay redheaded alien.'
Violence
MediumThe movie contains frequent, moderately intense fantasy action and peril, including chase sequences, confrontations with fantastical creatures, and implied deaths. While not overly graphic, some scenes could be frightening or distressing for younger children, particularly those involving characters in danger or suffering injury.
Scenes depict the Jabberwocky breathing fire and destroying homes, implying the death of villagers. A Humpty Dumpty character falls and breaks into pieces, with one piece showing an eye still open and alive. The Red Queen issues multiple, somewhat violent threats and slaps Time in the face. Alice is threatened in a mental institution and stabs a doctor with a needle (off-screen) in self-defense.
Romance and Sexual Content
MediumRomantic content is minimal and mild, primarily involving flirting and implied relationships without any explicit sexual activity or nudity. A couple of female outfits are noted as being somewhat low-cut.
The Queen of Hearts and the character Time flirt with each other and almost share a kiss, indicating a mild romantic dynamic. A woman is shown to flirt and sulk in an attempt to manipulate a man to achieve her desires. Some female costumes feature somewhat low-cut necklines.
Witchcraft & Occult
MediumThe movie is set in a magical, fantastical realm where magic and supernatural elements are central to the plot, including time travel and magical substances. However, the magical content is generally benign and aligns with fantasy tropes rather than dark occult practices or rituals.
Alice travels through a mirror to enter the magical world of Underland, a central fantastical element. The Chronosphere, a device that allows Alice to travel through time and manipulate the fabric of the universe, represents a significant magical power. Characters consume food substances that possess magical powers, altering their states or abilities.
Substance Use
MediumThe film includes a scene involving an injection of an unknown medicinal substance, which is used defensively. Beyond this, there is no explicit depiction of alcohol consumption, illegal drug use, or smoking, though magical food substances are consumed.
Alice is nearly injected with an unknown medicinal drug by a doctor in a mental institution, which she then uses to inject and sedate the doctor in self-defense. Food substances are depicted as having magical properties when consumed, leading to fantastical effects on characters.
Scary & Intense Content
MediumThe movie features various frightening and intense situations, though it is generally considered less dark than the first installment. These include perilous adventures, scenes of distress, and some visually unsettling transformations or threats.
The film opens with an intense storm at sea where Alice's ship is nearly capsized, putting her in extreme peril. The Mad Hatter is shown in a gravely ill and dying state, appearing white, grey, and disheveled with sunken eyes, which is confronting. Clock robots in Time's castle can combine to form a large, imposing, and scary robot. When Alice steals the Chronosphere, the world turns dark, and characters fear that everyone will perish.
Disrespect & Rebellion
MediumA significant theme revolves around Alice's defiance of societal norms and expectations, portrayed positively as a form of female empowerment. While some characters argue and ignore warnings, Alice's primary acts of rebellion are against restrictive patriarchal structures.
Alice disobeys her mother and the expectations of her society by refusing to give up her career as a sea captain and her adventurous spirit. Her decision to steal the Chronosphere from Time, despite warnings of catastrophic consequences, is an act of rebellion driven by her desire to save the Mad Hatter.
Profanity
LowThe film contains very mild language and name-calling, with infrequent use of British interjections and common insults. It is generally considered tame and not a significant concern.
The British interjection 'bloody' is used twice in the film. Other mild exclamations include 'What the devil?'. Mild name-calling and insults such as 'imbecile,' 'idiot,' and 'stupid' are used by characters.
Anti-Christian Themes
LowNo explicit anti-Christian themes, mockery, or sacrilegious acts are present in the film. While the narrative is fantastical and features magical elements, it does not directly challenge Christian beliefs or practices. One critic noted a visual reference to Michelangelo's 'Creation of Adam' but found it unconvincing as a deeper philosophical statement.
The film includes a visual reference to Michelangelo's 'Creation of Adam' during its climax, though one reviewer found this inclusion to be superficial and unconvincing in addressing any underlying philosophical questions about the film. The Christian Spotlight on the Movies review noted that the film exercises more restraint on its magical elements compared to its predecessor, suggesting an awareness of potential concerns for Christian viewers without identifying anti-Christian content.
Other Notes
Target Demographic
Parental guidance is recommended for children under 10, and suitability for ages 10 and above. The film contains numerous scenes of peril, fantasy violence, and intense emotional situations that may be too frightening or complex for younger viewers. While less dark than its predecessor, some elements, such as the Mad Hatter's illness and threatening scenarios, warrant guidance for pre-teens.
Additional Notes
The film generally promotes positive values such as bravery, kindness, honesty, and determination, and highlights the importance of believing in oneself and doing good for others. Its primary focus is on an imaginative adventure and themes of personal agency. Parents may find opportunities to discuss these positive messages, as well as the real-life implications of actions like stealing and lying, despite their fantastical context in the movie.
Related Reviews
Is Alice Through the Looking Glass right for your family?
These concerns are a starting point — what many Christian parents care about. Want to screen for other themes? Define your own concerns.
Screen any book, movie, or show — even titles no one else has reviewed.
“StoryScanner gives us clarity and confidence. It's become our go-to for checking books at the library and movies on family night.”
— Cristi & Brian, Dallas TX
“StoryScanner has been such a BLESSING for researching books for our children. You can set filters for your concerns, enter a book title, and it lets you know what's present.”
— Christian Book Reviews for Families (Facebook)
No credit card required