Monster High: The Movie
Monster High: The Movie is a live-action musical fantasy film based on the popular Mattel doll franchise. It follows Clawdeen Wolf, a half-human, half-werewolf, as she enrolls in Monster High, a hidden academy for monsters. Clawdeen attempts to conceal her human half, fearing rejection, while navigating new friendships with Frankie Stein and Draculaura and uncovering a plot that threatens the school. The movie explores themes of self-acceptance, belonging, and friendship through catchy musical numbers and a vibrant monster-filled setting. It aims to deliver positive messages about embracing individuality and diversity, appealing to a target audience of children and pre-teens who enjoy fantasy and musical genres.
Concerns
LGBTQ & Gender Identity
HighThe movie features explicit LGBTQ+ representation through a main character and the expressed intent of the director. Frankie Stein is identified as a nonbinary character, using they/them pronouns. The film's director, Todd Holland, openly identifies as a gay man and emphasizes that inclusion and 'queer storylines' are central to his work and the movie's message of facing the fear of living honestly.
Frankie Stein (Ceci Balagot) is a prominent character who uses they/them pronouns, and this nonbinary identity is noted as a 'sexual reference' in parental guides. The film's director, Todd Holland, a gay man, explicitly states that for him, 'inclusion is not just a passion... it's my world,' and that many storylines, even if not explicitly queer, are 'essentially queer storylines' because that's what he knows. GLAAD also lists 'Monster High: The Movie' in its section on LGBTQ Youth media.
Witchcraft & Occult
HighWitchcraft and occult themes are central and pervasive, directly engaged in by main characters. Draculaura is depicted as actively practicing witchcraft and expressing a deep love for it, despite it being forbidden at Monster High. Other characters participate in gathering spell ingredients and using magical potions.
Draculaura openly dabbles in and expresses a 'deep love for witchcraft,' casting spells to achieve various effects such as opening a lock and putting a pimple on someone's nose. Clawdeen and Frankie actively help Draculaura gather ingredients for potions and spells, indicating their participation in these occult practices. The school itself is populated by diverse 'monster' characters, some of whom are 'horned and devil-like,' which are figures traditionally associated with the occult or evil in a Christian context.
Anti-Christian Themes
HighThe film's foundational premise, revolving around a school for monsters and the explicit celebration of supernatural beings (including 'horned and devil-like' figures), fundamentally clashes with traditional Christian worldviews. The central role of witchcraft and magic, openly embraced by main characters, is a significant concern, reinforced by the director's intent to convey 'queer storylines' and themes of radical acceptance that may challenge certain religious doctrines.
The movie's 'spiritual darkness' is noted, including characters who are 'horned and devil-like'. Draculaura's enthusiastic practice of witchcraft, performing spells and concocting potions, is a central plot element and a direct endorsement of practices often condemned in Christian teachings. Furthermore, the director, Todd Holland, a gay man, has stated his passion for creating an 'accepting world for our kids' through narratives that include 'queer storylines,' which, alongside the overarching theme of celebrating all 'monsters' and embracing difference, can be perceived as conflicting with specific Christian theological stances on identity and spiritual practices.
Violence
MediumThe film contains fantasy violence typical of a monster-themed setting, including magical attacks, threats, and discussions of past violence. While not graphic, some scenes involve characters being turned to stone or having their life force drained, along with references to death and mobs.
Mr. Komos uses magic to attack Draculaura, taking her powers, and later turns Deuce Gorgon to stone. The backstory includes the mention of Mr. Hyde being 'hunted down and killed by an angry mob of humans'. There are also comedic but unsettling elements such as 'undead students shamble about with bits of rotting skin,' and teens playing football with a 'real foot' while discussing eating it.
Substance Use
MediumThe film includes the consumption of a magical concoction from a secret lab, which results in a dangerous transformation into a monster. This is categorized by parental review sites under 'Drug & Alcohol Content,' although it functions more as a magical potion within the fantasy narrative.
Clawdeen discovers a secret lab belonging to Mr. Hyde where a 'concoction' is consumed, leading to a character's transformation into a 'dangerous monster'. This event is specifically listed under 'Drug & Alcohol Content' in one parental review. Additionally, parental guidance notes mention 'use of spells and potions' more broadly as a 'use of substances' within the movie's fantasy context.
Scary & Intense Content
MediumThe movie contains various elements designed to be spooky and intense, consistent with its monster theme. These include unsettling visuals, jump scares, and situations of peril that could be frightening for younger children.
Scenes that may scare children include a silhouette of a graveyard, skull imagery, spooky music, and sounds of ghosts, whispers, and loud heartbeats. Characters transform into monsters, expose fangs, light hair on fire, remove heads, and transform into bats, while various monster forms like zombies rising from the dirt are shown. The words 'Expel the enemy' appear in blood on a wall, and Deuce Gorgon's Medusa-like eyes can turn people to stone, with his snake hair capable of poisoning.
Disrespect & Rebellion
MediumCharacters exhibit some mild acts of defiance and dishonesty, particularly in attempts to conceal secrets or navigate challenging social dynamics. While these actions lead to temporary negative consequences, the narrative often resolves with characters admitting wrongdoing and learning positive lessons.
Clawdeen Wolf initially 'lies to cover up her father's humanity' and engages in 'underhanded things' to protect her secret, though she later admits her mistakes. Draculaura practices witchcraft, which is explicitly stated to be forbidden by Monster High rules, representing defiance against school authority. Additionally, some students are shown sneaking into a school official's office to steal an item.
Romance and Sexual Content
LowRomantic content is mild and limited to innocent crushes and light flirting between teenage characters. There is no explicit sexual activity or nudity portrayed in the film.
Clawdeen Wolf develops a crush on Deuce Gorgon, and their interactions involve light flirting, which causes Clawdeen's heartbeat to audibly quicken. The sequel, Monster High 2, features Clawdeen and Deuce sharing a kiss in the final scene, indicating the romantic plot progresses in later installments. No nudity or sexual activity is present.
Profanity
LowThe language used in the movie is generally mild, with no strong profanity. Occasional exclamations and some mild descriptive terms are present.
Instances of mild language include phrases like 'oh my gosh,' 'holy headless horsewoman,' and 'thank badness'. Other mild terms noted are 'freaks,' 'creep,' and 'stupid'. Parental reviews consistently report 'no coarse language'.
Other Notes
Target Demographic
Ages 10+ with significant parental guidance. While the film promotes positive messages of acceptance and friendship, the pervasive and central depiction of witchcraft, explicit LGBTQ+ representation, and instances of fantasy violence and scary imagery warrant discussion and guidance for younger or more sensitive viewers, particularly within a Christian worldview.
Additional Notes
The film maintains a TV-PG rating, with external reviewers consistently recommending parental guidance for children under 8 due to fantasy and scary content. The messaging promotes themes of friendship, self-acceptance, and embracing diversity, which can be positive discussion points for families, but these are intertwined with significant supernatural and LGBTQ+ elements.
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