Start free10 free scans

The Emoji Movie

Name: The Emoji Movie - Christian Parent's Review
Item: The Emoji Movie
Rating: 1
Author: StoryScanner

Here's what we found in The Emoji Movie. Every family is different — get a report that reflects yours.

Screen for YOUR family

General Review

Parent's Guide to The Emoji Movie

The Emoji Movie (2017) is an animated comedy-adventure film that takes audiences into the vibrant digital world inside a teenager's smartphone, Textopolis, where emojis live and are expected to express only one emotion. The story centers on Gene, a 'meh' emoji who can express multiple emotions, leading to him being deemed a malfunction. To avoid deletion, Gene, accompanied by his friends Hi-5 and Jailbreak, embarks on a journey through various apps to find a code that will make him a normal, single-expression emoji. Along their adventure, they discover the importance of self-acceptance and embracing individuality. The film is targeted at a younger audience, particularly those familiar with mobile phones and apps. It features colorful animation and a message about friendship and being true to oneself, though some aspects of its humor and thematic elements may warrant parental guidance.

Things to Consider

Medium8

LGBTQ & Gender IdentityViolenceRomance and Sexual ContentProfanitySubstance UseScary & Intense ContentDisrespect & RebellionAnti-Christian Themes

Low1

Witchcraft & Occult

Medium8

LGBTQ & Gender Identity

The film's director, Tony Leondis, an openly gay man, explicitly stated that the main character Gene's struggle with conformity and self-acceptance was inspired by his own experiences growing up gay. This has led to interpretations of Gene's journey as an allegory for coming out or transgender identity, a point of concern for some Christian reviewers who describe it as 'transgender propaganda.'

Violence

The movie contains mild animated violence, primarily involving chase sequences and threats of deletion. Antagonistic bots pursue the main characters with lasers, and some characters are 'destroyed.' There are also some visually intimidating emojis and environments.

Romance and Sexual Content

Romantic content is minimal, featuring light flirting and mild physical affection. However, there are also subtle suggestive jokes and innuendo that may be overlooked by younger viewers but are present within the dialogue and visuals.

Gene's parents, Mel and Mary, share a mild kiss, and Mary expresses being 'overwhelmed with passion' for Mel, who responds his love is 'like a red-hot flame.' There is mild flirting between Gene and Jailbreak, which culminates in a kiss. Hi-5 is told by a flamenco dancer emoji not to be 'all hands' again, and Gene pulls away from hugging a pizza emoji with pepperoni slices on his chest, used as an 'anatomical wink.'

Profanity

The film includes some coarse language and a notable amount of toilet humor, primarily stemming from the character of Poop and related jokes. This contributes to the movie's PG rating for 'rude humor.'

Substance Use

The movie includes implied alcohol use, primarily in a scene depicting characters drinking at a party. There is a specific reference to a parody alcoholic beverage.

Scary & Intense Content

The film contains several elements that could be frightening or intense for younger children, including menacing characters, chase sequences, and the concept of permanent deletion for emojis. The overall tone can be suspenseful during conflict scenes.

Disrespect & Rebellion

A central theme of the movie is Gene's 'rebellion' against the societal expectation that emojis should only express one emotion. This narrative promotes individuality and self-acceptance by challenging established norms, which is portrayed positively.

Gene's entire character arc is founded on his 'malfunction' and 'defiance' of the rule that emojis must express only one emotion. This 'rebellion' against the system's expectations is a core plot point, driving his journey of self-discovery. Smiler, the antagonist, attempts to 'eliminate' Gene and other non-conforming emojis, viewing their differences as a threat, which frames Gene's actions as challenging oppressive authority for individuality.

Anti-Christian Themes

The film does not contain explicit anti-Christian themes or direct mockery of Christian beliefs. However, one Christian review expresses concern that the movie's message of changing one's inherent nature to fit self-identity, as seen in Gene's journey, can be interpreted as 'transgender propaganda,' potentially conflicting with certain Christian viewpoints on gender and creation.

While the film lacks explicit anti-Christian content, a Christian review states, 'I think this film is obviously transgender propaganda,' linking Gene's desire to be reprogrammed to fit his self-perceived identity with a message that might challenge Christian views on inherent identity and creation. The director, Tony Leondis, stated Gene's story was 'very personal' to him as a gay man, intended as a universal theme of self-acceptance, not an attack on religious beliefs.

Low1

Witchcraft & Occult

There is no explicit depiction or discussion of witchcraft, sorcery, occult practices, magic rituals, demons, or spells. While a devil emoji character exists, its actions are limited to cartoon violence and do not involve occult themes.

Want these personalized to YOUR family?

The Emoji Movie (2017) presents several themes that can resonate with Christian values, particularly regarding identity and purpose. At its core, the film champions self-acceptance and embracing one's unique design, as Gene learns that his multi-emotional nature is not a malfunction but a gift. This aligns well with biblical teachings that affirm individuals are 'fearfully and wonderfully made' (Psalm 139:14) and designed by God with specific talents and characteristics. The narrative also promotes the value of genuine friendship over superficial popularity, as seen in Hi-5's character arc, shifting from a desire for 'likes' to appreciating true connection. Characters are generally rewarded for virtues like authenticity, courage, and selflessness, while the villain, Smiler, who demands rigid conformity and attempts to delete Gene, is ultimately thwarted. This demonstrates a clear moral framework where integrity and compassion prevail over deceit and control. The film's emphasis on helping others and supporting one another also aligns positively with Christian principles of love and community. While the movie's setting within a digital world and its extensive product placement might lean towards a materialistic worldview, its underlying message transcends this by highlighting the intrinsic worth of each individual emoji, regardless of their prescribed function or popularity. The theme of 'following your heart' could be interpreted relativistically if not discussed, but it can also be seen as an encouragement to embrace God-given inclinations and gifts. Family values are portrayed positively through Gene's parents, Mel and Mary Meh, who show genuine concern for their son, take action to protect him, and model reconciliation in their own relationship. There are elements of grace and redemption as characters like Hi-5 grow and change, and Gene's sacrifice helps save the entire emoji world from deletion. Faith or Christianity is not explicitly depicted or referenced in the film, maintaining a neutral stance in this regard. Parents can use the film as a springboard for conversations about God's unique design for each person, the importance of expressing emotions healthily, and discerning true value beyond worldly validation.

Additional Context

Best For Ages

6+ with Parental Guidance. The film is rated PG for rude humor, and while generally lighthearted, it contains elements of mild cartoon violence, suggestive humor, and themes of self-acceptance that some Christian parents may interpret as allegorical to gender identity discussions. Younger children (under 5) may find some scenes, characters, or the concept of 'deletion' frightening.

Good to Know

The film's humor often relies on familiarity with smartphone culture and apps, which may be better understood by slightly older children. The movie also features extensive product placement for various apps and services.

Related Reviews

View all movie reviews →

How does this review compare?

This review

9 standard concerns
General sensitivity level
One-size-fits-all perspective

Your report

Concerns you choose
Sensitivity levels you set
Tailored to your family

What are you watching next?

Screen any title in seconds — even ones no one else has reviewed.

Personalized to your valuesDetailed findingsAny title, instantly

Start with 10 free scans

No credit card required — join hundreds of families

Start free — 10 scans included

The Emoji Movie

Parent's Guide to The Emoji Movie

Things to Consider

LGBTQ & Gender Identity

Violence

Romance and Sexual Content

Profanity

Substance Use

Scary & Intense Content

Disrespect & Rebellion

Anti-Christian Themes

Witchcraft & Occult

Christian Worldview Analysis

Additional Context

Best For Ages

Good to Know

Related Reviews

나는 신혼 너는 재혼

101 Dalmatians

101 Dalmatians

180

18th Rose

2001: A Space Odyssey