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Onward

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General Review

Parent's Guide to Onward

Onward is a 2020 animated urban fantasy adventure film produced by Pixar Animation Studios for Walt Disney Pictures. The story centers on two elf brothers, Ian and Barley Lightfoot, who embark on a quest to discover if magic still exists in their suburban world, hoping to spend one last day with their deceased father. The film explores themes of brotherhood, grief, self-discovery, and believing in oneself, set against a backdrop of mythical creatures living modern lives. It features a fast-paced plot with elements of comedy and emotional depth, aiming for a family audience. The movie's overall appropriateness is generally considered suitable for older children and up, with parental guidance suggested for younger viewers due to some intense scenes and mild thematic elements.

Things to Consider

Medium9
LGBTQ & Gender IdentityViolenceRomance and Sexual ContentProfanityWitchcraft & OccultSubstance UseScary & Intense ContentDisrespect & RebellionAnti-Christian Themes
Medium9

LGBTQ & Gender Identity

The film includes a minor, incidental reference to an openly lesbian character, Officer Specter, voiced by Lena Waithe. Her sexuality is mentioned in a single line of dialogue and is not central to the plot. This marks Pixar's first openly gay character.

Violence

Onward features animated violence and peril, consistent with a fantasy adventure film. This includes chase scenes, confrontations with mythical creatures, and the use of magical abilities for combat. The violence is generally mild, cartoonish, and lacks gore.

Romance and Sexual Content

Romantic and sexual content in Onward is minimal and implied, aligning with a family-friendly rating. There are no explicit sexual acts, graphic nudity, or overt romantic scenes. The focus is primarily on familial love and brotherhood.

Profanity

Onward contains very little to no strong profanity. The language used is generally clean and suitable for a family audience, consistent with its PG rating.

Witchcraft & Occult

Magic is a central element of the fantasy world in Onward, depicted as an ancient, forgotten art that Ian learns to wield. It involves spellcasting, magical artifacts, and mythical creatures. The magic is presented as a neutral force that can be used for good or ill, primarily for questing and problem-solving, rather than overtly occult practices.

Substance Use

The film contains minimal and very mild references to substance use, primarily in a comedic or background context, without promoting or glamorizing it.

Scary & Intense Content

Onward features several intense and suspenseful scenes, including confrontations with large, monstrous creatures, dangerous chase sequences, and moments of peril for the main characters. While animated, these elements could be frightening for very young children.

Disrespect & Rebellion

The film portrays instances of mild adolescent rebellion and sibling squabbles, primarily through Barley's boisterous and sometimes heedless behavior and Ian's initial shyness and lack of confidence. However, these are often resolved with positive lessons about family and mutual respect.

Anti-Christian Themes

Onward is set in a fantasy world with its own mythology and magical practices, which are distinct from Christian beliefs. The film does not explicitly promote anti-Christian messages or mock Christian tenets, but its central theme of magic and a quest to resurrect a father through a spell may be seen as conflicting with some Christian views on the supernatural and the afterlife.

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Pixar's "Onward" presents several themes that can resonate positively with Christian values, particularly in its emphasis on family, sacrifice, and unconditional love. The core quest of Ian and Barley to spend one last day with their deceased father highlights the profound human longing for connection and the enduring impact of parental figures, even in absence. The film showcases positive character morality, where virtues like bravery, self-confidence, unselfishness, loyalty, compassion, persistence, and trust are consistently rewarded. Both brothers grow significantly throughout their journey, with Ian developing confidence and Barley demonstrating selfless devotion. Their mother, Laurel, is portrayed as a strong, courageous, and protective figure who actively participates in their well-being, reinforcing positive family relationships and responsible parenting. The worldview presented in "Onward" is an urban fantasy where magic exists but has largely been forgotten in favor of modern conveniences. While the narrative centers on magic and a spell to temporarily bring back a parent, which may differ from a Christian understanding of the supernatural and afterlife, the film doesn't explicitly promote anti-Christian messages. Instead, it subtly critiques a purely materialistic or secular view by suggesting that a sense of wonder and deeper meaning can be rediscovered by looking beyond the superficial. Importantly, the film contains strong redemption themes through acts of sacrifice and brotherly love. Barley's ultimate self-sacrifice of his prized van, Guinevere, and his willingness to let Ian experience the final moments with their father underscores a profound act of selfless love. This mirrors biblical principles of sacrificial love (agape) and putting others' needs before one's own. The film ultimately points to the value of appreciating the blessings already present in one's life, specifically the love and support of family, rather than solely pursuing what is perceived as missing. While "Onward" does not explicitly depict Christian faith or Christianity, and its use of magic as a central plot device could be a point of discussion for some Christian parents, the movie's overarching messages align with many biblical principles. The narrative highlights the importance of faith in oneself and in each other, courage in the face of adversity, and the strong bonds of family. The idea that one often has what they need right in front of them, as exemplified by Ian realizing the father-figure qualities in Barley, can be seen as an echo of God's provision and the value of recognizing blessings within existing relationships. The film's emphasis on loving and sacrificing for family provides a strong, positive message that resonates deeply with Christian family values, encouraging reflection on the importance of sibling bonds and parental devotion.

Additional Context

Best For Ages

Parental Guidance Recommended for ages 8 and up. While the MPAA rates Onward PG for "action/peril and some mild thematic elements", some sources recommend parental guidance for children aged 5-8 due to these elements. The film's themes of loss and the presence of fantastical creatures, magic, and moments of peril may be intense for very young or sensitive children. For children 8 and older, the positive messages about family and self-belief make it generally acceptable.

Good to Know

The film's emotional core, focusing on brotherhood and processing grief, is widely praised. While some elements might require parental discussion, the overall messages are largely positive regarding family bonds and self-belief. There are no known significant differences across theatrical, extended, or director's cuts that would alter the content warnings. No sequels have been released to track content evolution.

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