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.
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.
1. During a traffic stop scene (around 43 minutes into the film), Officer Specter, a cyclops police officer, mentions her girlfriend while commiserating with another character about parenting challenges, stating, "It's not easy being a new parent—my girlfriend's daughter got me pulling my hair out, okay?". This line is brief and passes quickly.. 2. The character Officer Specter, voiced by openly lesbian actress Lena Waithe, is explicitly identified as Pixar's first openly gay character. The inclusion of this line led to the film being banned or censored in several international markets..
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.
1. The brothers, Ian and Barley, encounter various magical creatures and obstacles, leading to action sequences such as being chased by pixie bikers and a fierce manticore. These scenes involve physical altercations and the use of weapons like swords and axes by mythical creatures, but without explicit injury detail or blood.. 2. In one significant sequence, Ian and Barley must navigate a collapsing cave and later confront a large, destructive dragon-like creature. This involves intense magical spells and environmental hazards, creating moments of peril and suspense that could be frightening for younger viewers..
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.
1. The film shows a mild romantic subplot between the brothers' mother, Laurel, and their centaur stepfather, Colt Bronco. Their relationship is portrayed through affectionate gestures like hugging and supportive interactions, but no kissing or explicit romantic displays are shown.. 2. The only other mention of a romantic relationship is the brief line by Officer Specter about her "girlfriend," which implies a same-sex relationship but without any visual depiction or further discussion of romantic or sexual details..
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.
1. The dialogue primarily consists of common, inoffensive language suitable for children's entertainment. There are no instances of the 'F-word,' 'S-word,' or other strong expletives.. 2. Characters might express mild exclamations of frustration or surprise such as "oh my gosh" or "what the heck," but these are infrequent and not considered strong profanity. The film maintains a clean language standard throughout..
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.
1. Ian Lightfoot actively learns and performs numerous spells using a wizard's staff throughout the movie. Examples include the 'Growth Spell' (Magnora Gantuan!) to enlarge objects, the 'Invisible Bridge Spell' (Bridgrigar Invisia!) to cross chasms, and the 'Blast' spell (Voltar Thundasir!) for combat, demonstrating the practical application of magic.. 2. The entire premise of the quest revolves around a resurrection spell to bring back Ian and Barley's deceased father for one day, using a powerful 'Phoenix Gem' and specific incantations ("Grant me this rebirth. Till tomorrow's sun has set, one day to walk the Earth"). This involves direct interaction with the supernatural for a significant purpose..
The film contains minimal and very mild references to substance use, primarily in a comedic or background context, without promoting or glamorizing it.
1. At the Manticore's Tavern, now a themed restaurant, there are implied references to its past as a more rough-and-tumble establishment where patrons might have consumed alcoholic beverages, though nothing is explicitly shown or consumed on screen in the present day.. 2. There is a scene where the Manticore, suffering from a hangover after a night out, references drinking, but this is presented comically and as a consequence of overindulgence rather than a positive portrayal of alcohol use. No actual drinking is depicted in the scene..
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.
1. The climax of the film involves a confrontation with a large, stone dragon-like curse creature that is formed from broken pieces of the Phoenix Gem. This creature is intimidating, destructive, and actively pursues the characters, creating a high-stakes, intense battle sequence.. 2. Throughout their quest, Ian and Barley face various dangers, such as being trapped in collapsing ruins, evading aggressive pixie bikers in a car chase, and falling into treacherous traps. These moments generate suspense and put the characters in immediate danger..
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.
1. Barley, the older brother, frequently disregards rules and authority figures, particularly in his driving and his insistence on following the 'Path of Peril' from his role-playing game, sometimes putting himself and Ian in risky situations. For example, he recklessly drives his van "Guinevere" through residential areas and ignores traffic laws during their quest.. 2. Ian initially struggles with confidence and sometimes resents Barley's overbearing nature and perceived failures, leading to verbal disagreements and moments where he expresses frustration with his brother's actions or suggestions. For instance, early in the quest, Ian questions Barley's map-reading and reliance on ancient lore over practical solutions, creating friction between them..
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.
1. The entire narrative revolves around the use of magic, including incantations and a powerful gem, to bring back a deceased parent for 24 hours. This depiction of resurrection through magical means, rather than divine intervention or spiritual concepts, could be a point of concern for Christian families.. 2. The world of Onward has replaced traditional fantasy magic with modern conveniences, and the characters seek to rediscover this 'lost magic.' This focus on a secular, inherent magical force as a source of wonder and power, rather than a creator God, might be viewed as a subtle deviation from a Christian worldview..
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.
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.
These concerns are a starting point — what many Christian parents care about. Want to screen for other themes? Define your own concerns.
Screen any book, movie, or show — even titles no one else has reviewed.
“StoryScanner gives us clarity and confidence. It's become our go-to for checking books at the library and movies on family night.”
— Cristi & Brian, Dallas TX
“StoryScanner has been such a BLESSING for researching books for our children. You can set filters for your concerns, enter a book title, and it lets you know what's present.”
— Christian Book Reviews for Families (Facebook)
No credit card required