Disenchanted
The movie "Disenchanted" is a 2022 American live-action/animated musical fantasy comedy, serving as a sequel to the 2007 film "Enchanted." The story follows Giselle, Robert, and their daughter Morgan as they transition from their bustling life in New York City to the quiet suburban town of Monroeville. Seeking a true fairy tale existence, Giselle uses a magical wish-granting wand, which inadvertently transforms the entire town into a fantastical realm and turns her into a wicked stepmother archetype. This magical disruption threatens not only her family's happiness but also the survival of her animated homeland, Andalasia. The film targets a broad family audience, exploring themes of adjusting to change, the complexities of "happily ever after," and the interplay between good and evil, all presented through musical numbers, whimsical fantasy, and comedic situations.
Concerns
Violence
MediumThe film includes mild, fantasy-oriented violence typical of Disney productions, with magical duels and some slapstick peril. There is no graphic depiction of blood or gore. Giselle, under the influence of a spell, displays uncharacteristically aggressive behavior, and there are instances of magical threats and bullying.
Under a wicked stepmother spell, Giselle kicks her chipmunk friend Pip down a gutter drain and physically grabs and pulls Morgan, while also belittling her. Giselle and Malvina Monroe engage in a magic duel involving magical attacks and pointed weapons, with both characters threatening each other's lives. Robert attempts to slay a dragon, is blasted out of a cave by fire (unharmed), and tangles with a giant, being dragged through the streets. Teenagers also bully Morgan by purposefully knocking over her books and mocking her.
Witchcraft & Occult
MediumMagic and spellcasting are central to the plot, as Giselle uses a wish-granting wand to transform her town into a fairy tale. The narrative prominently features spells, magical objects, and characters gaining magical powers, including Giselle temporarily becoming a "wicked stepmother" with dark magical abilities.
Giselle uses a wish-granting wand, bestowed by King Edward and Queen Nancy, to transform her suburban town into a fairy tale setting. This wish inadvertently causes Giselle to slowly turn into a wicked stepmother, exhibiting haughty and cruel behavior, and gaining dark magical powers to challenge Malvina. Malvina Monroe also possesses magical powers and utilizes a magic mirror. The magical transformation affects the entire town and threatens Andalasia itself by draining its magic.
Scary & Intense Content
MediumThe film features moderately intense scenes and themes, particularly when Giselle's wish twists the town into a darker fairy tale and she embodies a "wicked stepmother." These include magical threats, the presence of fantasy creatures like a dragon and a giant, and moments of peril for characters.
Giselle's transformation into a "wicked stepmother" persona leads to frightening behavior, including mistreating Morgan and engaging in a magic duel with Malvina. Robert faces perilous situations, such as battling a fire-breathing dragon that dramatically blasts him out of a cave (though unharmed), and a giant stomping through town, endangering a child. Morgan is placed under a sleep spell by Malvina and is also pushed into a magical well by Giselle. The magical instability threatens to make Andalasia disappear.
Disrespect & Rebellion
MediumThe movie portrays instances of teenage rebellion and disrespect, primarily from Morgan towards Giselle, particularly during the family's difficult adjustment to suburban life and after Giselle's magical transformation. Additionally, adult characters exhibit arrogance and verbal bullying.
Morgan, as a cynical teenager, is initially very reluctant to move to Monroeville and argues with her parents. When Giselle is under the wicked stepmother spell, she belittles Morgan, and their relationship becomes strained, with Morgan defying her "evil" stepmother. Malvina Monroe is depicted as the arrogant head of the town council, verbally bullying other adult women, including Giselle, on several occasions.
LGBTQ & Gender Identity
LowExplicit searches for LGBTQ+ content specifically related to the movie "Disenchanted" yielded no results indicating any openly LGBTQ+ characters, themes, or representation within the film itself. It is crucial to distinguish this film from the animated series "Disenchantment," which does feature LGBTQ+ characters but is a separate media.
No confirmed instances of LGBTQ+ characters or themes were identified for the movie "Disenchanted" in the conducted research. Searches explicitly combining "Disenchanted" with terms such as "lgbtq," "gay," "lesbian," "transgender," "queer representation," and "LGBTQ characters" did not return any relevant information pertaining to the film.
Romance and Sexual Content
LowRomantic elements are present through mild kissing and hugging between the married protagonists, Giselle and Robert, and a developing teen romance. The film features minimal suggestive content, limited to some low-cut dresses with a verbal reference, but avoids innuendo or explicit sexual themes.
The movie includes mild kissing and hugging between Giselle and Robert. Malvina Monroe and her cronies are seen in some low-cut dresses, with a verbal reference to such attire. Morgan develops a romantic interest and later becomes the girlfriend of Tyson Monroe, Malvina's son.
Profanity
LowThe film contains infrequent and mild language, consistent with its PG rating. It includes common exclamations and very light curse words, none of which are strong or used in an aggressive manner.
Mild language includes one instance of "h-e-double-hockey-sticks" (hell) and one use of "sucked." Other phrases include three instances of "oh my g-d," three "what the heck" sayings, and one "geez." Mild insults such as "stupid" and "idiots" are also present.
Substance Use
LowThe movie does not contain any explicit depiction or discussion of substance use, including alcohol, drugs, or smoking. No instances of characters engaging with or referencing these substances were found in available reviews.
No instances of substance use were identified in the available content reviews for "Disenchanted."
Anti-Christian Themes
LowThe film does not contain explicit anti-Christian themes. It presents a moral worldview that emphasizes family, love, and sacrifice, consistent with many Disney narratives, while integrating traditional fairy tale fantasy elements and magic. There is no evidence of mockery or criticism of Christian beliefs.
Movieguide specifically noted that "Disenchanted" has a "strong moral, redemptive worldview that extols family, love and sacrifice," with a central theme that love ultimately saves the day. While magic and fairy tale creatures are prominent, they are presented within a fantasy framework rather than in opposition to Christian doctrines. No instances of mocking Christian beliefs or sacrilegious acts were identified in the research.
Other Notes
Target Demographic
Disenchanted is recommended for children aged 6 and up. The MPAA rated the film PG for "mild peril and language." While it features magical conflict, some intense scenes with a villainous persona, and mild bullying, these elements are generally resolved positively and fall within typical Disney family-friendly parameters. Younger viewers may find the temporary transformation of Giselle into a wicked character or the magical duels mildly unsettling.
Additional Notes
The film is a sequel to "Enchanted" and continues the narrative style of blending animated and live-action elements. Its themes of finding 'happily ever after' in the complexities of real life, and the dangers of wishing for an idealized existence, offer discussion points for families. The general critical reception was mixed, with some finding it less magical than its predecessor. The runtime is approximately 119 minutes.
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