Coco
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Screen for YOUR familyParent's Guide to Coco
Coco is a vibrant animated musical fantasy film produced by Pixar Animation Studios and released by Walt Disney Pictures. The story centers on Miguel, a 12-year-old boy in rural Mexico who dreams of becoming a musician, despite his family's generations-old ban on music. Accidentally transported to the Land of the Dead during the Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebration, Miguel seeks the help of his deceased ancestors to find his great-great-grandfather, a legendary musician, and return to the Land of the Living before sunrise, or he will be permanently trapped as a spirit. The film explores themes of family, memory, tradition, and pursuing one's passions, all set against the colorful and culturally rich backdrop of Mexican folklore. Targeted primarily at families and children, Coco offers a visually stunning and emotionally resonant narrative. While it deals with the concept of death and the afterlife, these themes are presented in a way that is largely celebratory and respectful of Mexican traditions, making it generally appropriate for a wide audience. However, some elements, particularly the skeletal appearances of characters and a few intense plot points, may require parental guidance for younger or more sensitive viewers.
Things to Consider
LGBTQ & Gender Identity
While the movie 'Coco' does not feature explicit LGBTQ+ characters or storylines within its narrative, there are significant connections to LGBTQ+ individuals through its creators and cultural influences. The film's producer, Darla K. Anderson, and co-director, Adrian Molina, are openly LGBTQ+ and publicly acknowledged their same-sex partners during their Oscar acceptance speeches, expressing a desire for more LGBTQ+ representation in future Pixar films. Additionally, discussions exist regarding the 'queer coding' of the character Ernesto de la Cruz and the cameo of Frida Kahlo, a historical figure rumored to have had queer relationships, further supported by the queer history associated with the song 'La Llorona' featured in the film.
Violence
The film contains several instances of mild animated violence and intense peril, mostly presented in a cartoonish or fantastical context within the Land of the Dead. While there is no gore, some scenes depict characters being physically harmed or facing life-threatening situations.
Witchcraft & Occult
The central theme of 'Coco' revolves around the Mexican holiday Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead), which involves spiritual beliefs about the afterlife, ancestral spirits (skeletons), and mystical spirit guides called alebrijes. While these elements are cultural and fantastical, they depict interactions with the deceased and a spiritual realm, which some Christian parents may consider occult.
Scary & Intense Content
The film contains several elements that could be frightening or intense for younger viewers, primarily due to the ubiquitous presence of skeletons as characters and the serious thematic element of 'final death,' where a spirit fades if no one remembers them. Other intense scenes involve peril and suspense.
Disrespect & Rebellion
The theme of rebellion is central to Miguel's character arc, as he actively defies his family's strict ban on music to pursue his passion. This involves covert actions and direct confrontation with his family, particularly his Abuelita.
Anti-Christian Themes
The film is heavily centered on the Mexican holiday Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead), a cultural celebration with indigenous and Catholic syncretic roots. While it portrays an afterlife and ancestral reverence that differs from traditional Christian theology, it does not explicitly mock, insult, or directly criticize Christian beliefs or symbols. The themes are presented as cultural rather than anti-religious.
Romance and Sexual Content
Romance and sexual content in 'Coco' are minimal and entirely appropriate for a family audience. The film focuses on familial love and legacy rather than romantic relationships. Any romantic elements are subtle and G-rated.
Profanity
The film contains virtually no profanity or strong language. Reviews consistently note a lack of offensive words, maintaining a family-friendly dialogue throughout.
Substance Use
There is no significant depiction of substance use in 'Coco'. Alcohol and drug references or usage are absent from the film.
Pixar's "Coco" presents a vibrant celebration of family, memory, and cultural tradition, offering several themes that resonate positively with biblical values while also featuring core elements that diverge significantly. The film strongly emphasizes the paramount importance of family bonds, intergenerational connection, and the value of remembering one's ancestors, aligning well with the biblical principle of honoring parents and elders. Characters like Miguel ultimately learn humility and respect for his family's legacy, while the villain, Ernesto de la Cruz, faces clear moral accountability and consequence for his deceit, theft, and murder, demonstrating that vice is ultimately exposed and punished. However, the movie's central worldview regarding life and meaning is tied to a humanistic concept of the afterlife, where existence in the Land of the Dead is contingent upon being remembered by the living, and being forgotten leads to a "final death". This understanding of the afterlife fundamentally contradicts the Christian teaching of eternal life and God's sovereign role in our ultimate destiny, presenting a transcendent view that is distinct from a biblical one. The film is rich in themes of redemption, particularly through forgiveness and reconciliation. The deep-seated family feud stemming from a past abandonment is eventually healed through acts of truth-telling, compassion, and Imelda's eventual forgiveness of Hector, highlighting the biblical call to reconciliation and grace. Family relationships are portrayed with complexity; while the Rivera family's strict ban on music initially stifles Miguel's passion, the narrative ultimately advocates for a balance where individual dreams are nurtured within the supportive framework of family, and families learn to overcome long-held grievances. From a faith representation standpoint, "Coco" is set within a culturally Mexican context that includes superficial Christian elements like crucifixes and church buildings, but these are background details rather than central to its spiritual message. The celebration of Día de Muertos and its associated beliefs in interacting with the dead and ancestor veneration are central, which some Christian parents may find inconsistent with biblical admonitions against consulting the dead or practices outside of Christian remembrance and prayer. Therefore, while the film delivers many heartwarming messages about love, forgiveness, and family unity, Christian parents may wish to engage in dialogue with their children about its specific portrayal of the afterlife and spiritual concepts.
Additional Context
Best For Ages
Recommended for ages 7 and older. The film is rated PG for "thematic elements" by the MPAA. Younger children (under 7) may find the depiction of skeletons and the concept of permanent death in the Land of the Dead to be frightening or disturbing, requiring close parental supervision. Children aged 7-10 are likely to benefit from parental guidance due to some intense scenes and complex themes of betrayal and vanishing from existence.
Good to Know
No notable differences in content or tone across theatrical, extended, or director's cuts were found, as only a single theatrical version is widely available and discussed. While 'Coco 2' has been mentioned as being in development, there are no existing sequels or adaptations that introduce new or intensified content at this time.
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