Arlo the Alligator Boy
Arlo the Alligator Boy is a 2021 animated musical adventure film that introduces Arlo, a half-human, half-alligator boy, who embarks on a journey from his sheltered life in the Louisiana swamp to New York City to find his biological father. Along the way, Arlo meets a diverse group of misfits who become his chosen family, all seeking a place where they belong and can be accepted for their unique identities. The movie explores themes of self-discovery, friendship, and acceptance, presenting a colorful narrative with numerous musical numbers.
Concerns
LGBTQ & Gender Identity
HighThe film strongly features LGBTQ+ representation through 'queer-coded' characters and a central theme of finding a 'chosen family' among outcasts who celebrate their differences. The creator, Ryan Crego, has acknowledged consciously including the queer community in the story's themes of acceptance. Key characters embody elements of gender non-conformity and the narrative is widely interpreted as a 'queer fable.'
Furlecia, a pink furball voiced by Jonathan Van Ness, is described as effeminate, wears heels, and expresses interest in a gay hairstylist, embodying gender non-conformity. Furlecia is referred to with both 'he/him' and 'she/her' pronouns in different contexts. The movie features a drag queen character explicitly shown walking down the aisle at the Met Gala. The film's overarching message of self-acceptance and finding a 'found family' among misfits resonates deeply with themes prevalent in the LGBTQ+ community, a point affirmed by Mary Lambert, the queer actress voicing Bertie, who connects the story to 'chosen family.'
Anti-Christian Themes
HighA prominent Christian review outlet explicitly identifies the film as promoting an 'abhorrent homosexual, transgender agenda' and portrays a 'church' in a negative light. The narrative is also noted for its humanist worldview, lacking mention of a higher power.
Movieguide criticizes the film for 'deliberately promot[ing] an abhorrent homosexual, transgender agenda,' tying the film's themes of acceptance to anti-Christian sentiment. The villains, Ruff and Stucky, are depicted as 'gator-hunting propagandists' who wish to capture Arlo and display him in what is described as their 'evangelical charade of a church,' casting a negative light on a Christian-associated institution.
Violence
MediumThe movie includes instances of cartoon violence, threatening antagonists, and one implied death that occurs off-screen. While most violence is not graphic, the potential for fear or distress for younger viewers exists due to the actions of the villains.
During a wrestling scene, the character Furlecia is stabbed in the fur with a pitchfork, though without visible blood or lasting injury. The villains, Ruff and Stucky, are shown tying up a man and, upon his refusal to cooperate, a 'Beast' drags him away into the dark, with the implication that he is 'presumably' eaten off-screen.
Romance and Sexual Content
MediumThe film contains mild romantic elements, suggestive humor, and one specific instance identified by a Christian review outlet as bestiality, involving animal characters. Some characters are depicted in revealing attire.
A scene depicts a cat and a cow making out in a train car, which is explicitly labeled as 'bestiality' by one review. Additionally, two teens are shown flirting and a couple is seen making out. Characters such as Bertie wear dresses revealing some cleavage, and a fish character is seen walking around in a speedo.
Substance Use
MediumThe movie includes instances of characters consuming alcoholic beverages in social settings and a scene depicting a sugar-induced 'trip,' which has drug-like effects.
Characters are shown drinking champagne on a boat, a fish character consumes a martini, and a man drinks hard liquor, with empty beer bottles visible in another scene. A character experiences the equivalent of a drug trip after consuming an excessive amount of sugar.
Scary & Intense Content
MediumThe film features menacing villains and some frightening sequences. Notably, it includes a serious theme of abandonment leading to the protagonist contemplating suicide, which can be intense for some viewers, especially younger children.
The antagonist alligator hunters, Ruff and Stucky, and their 'Beast' pose a credible threat to Arlo, with one scene involving the implied death of a character dragged away by the Beast. After being rejected by his biological father, Arlo falls into a deep depression and is shown contemplating suicide through song while floating in the sewers.
Disrespect & Rebellion
MediumThe core narrative involves Arlo leaving his adoptive home and family to seek out his biological father, representing a form of defiance or rebellion against his established life. Some supporting characters engage in minor deceitful acts.
Arlo leaves his loving adoptive mother, Edmée, in the swamp to embark on a journey to New York City to find his biological father, an act of self-determination that involves leaving his known family. Some of Arlo's new friends, specifically Furlecia and Teeny Tiny Tony, are initially introduced as engaging in scamming farmers through staged wrestling matches.
Profanity
LowThe film's language content is generally mild, using interjections and minor insults rather than strong profanity. Reviews consistently describe the language as very mild.
Mild interjections and phrases are used, such as 'heck,' 'What in the Sam Hill?', 'sure as shootin',' 'sucker,' 'dang,' and a cut-off 'What in the—.' The insult 'freak' is also used once.
Witchcraft & Occult
LowThe film does not contain explicit witchcraft, sorcery, or occult rituals. It includes fantastical elements such as a 'Bog Lady' spirit and a harpy character, which are presented as mythical creatures rather than having occult or ritualistic connotations.
The 'Bog Lady' is depicted as a 'weird spirit of the swamp' who brought Arlo to his adoptive mother, Edmée, indicating a supernatural but not an occult presence. Arlo's biological father, Ansel Beauregard, is revealed to be a harpy (a half-human, half-bird creature), a fantastical species within the film's world.
Other Notes
Target Demographic
Ages 10+ with parental guidance. While officially rated TV-Y7 for fear, the film contains implicit LGBTQ+ themes, a fleeting reference to bestiality, implied character death, and a moment where the protagonist contemplates suicide. These elements suggest that older children may better understand and process the content, and parental discussion is recommended for younger viewers.
Additional Notes
The film serves as a feature-length pilot for the subsequent series 'I Heart Arlo,' meaning some character arcs and plot points may feel less resolved as they lead into the series. While the movie promotes positive messages of self-acceptance and friendship, the presence of strong LGBTQ+ themes, implied death, and a character contemplating suicide may warrant careful consideration and discussion by Christian parents.
Related Reviews
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