The New Mutants
The New Mutants (2020) is a superhero horror film, serving as a spin-off and the final installment in the X-Men film series. The story centers on five young mutants who are involuntarily held in an isolated psychiatric facility. Each character grapples with traumatic past events linked to the manifestation of their powers, which Dr. Cecilia Reyes claims to be helping them control. As strange and frightening occurrences plague the facility, the teenagers begin to suspect malevolent intentions behind their confinement, forcing them to confront their deepest fears and unite to escape. The film blends elements of a young adult drama with psychological horror, exploring themes of trauma, friendship, and self-acceptance. While it features characters from the Marvel Comics universe, its tone is darker and more suspenseful than typical superhero fare, focusing on internal struggles and supernatural threats rather than large-scale action. The content includes intense violence, horror imagery, strong language, and a prominent same-sex romantic relationship, making it more suited for mature teenage audiences.
Concerns
LGBTQ & Gender Identity
HighThe film features a central and openly depicted lesbian romance between two main characters, Dani Moonstar and Rahne Sinclair. Their relationship is developed throughout the narrative, culminating in several romantic interactions, including kissing. This is explicitly recognized by the director as a core aspect of the film.
The romantic relationship between Dani Moonstar (Blu Hunt) and Rahne Sinclair (Maisie Williams) is a significant plotline, evolving from a close bond to a romantic connection. They share multiple romantic kissing scenes throughout the film. Director Josh Boone stated this relationship was the 'spine and focus' of the film's 'character-driven stuff'. In the closing scene, Dani and Rahne are depicted holding hands, suggesting they have officially become a couple.
Violence
HighThe movie contains frequent and intense violence with disturbing and bloody imagery. Characters experience graphic injuries, death, and supernatural attacks. Several scenes depict characters recounting or experiencing traumatic violent events from their past, often involving death or severe harm.
The film includes scenes with visible blood, a flaming corpse, and characters being branded with a hot iron. A fight sequence involves two characters being severely cut and stabbed. Rahne mauls Dr. Reyes, inflicting severe slashing injuries to her face and body. Illyana's childhood abusers, the 'Smiling Men,' manifest as monstrous humanoid creatures and are violently dispatched. The Demon Bear, the main antagonist, devours Dr. Reyes.
Witchcraft & Occult
HighThe film features characters with supernatural and magical abilities, most notably Illyana's sorcery. The primary antagonist is the 'Demon Bear,' described as a supernatural entity that feeds on fear. There is a strong occult worldview present, with explicit demonic imagery.
Illyana Rasputin (Magik) possesses sorcery powers, capable of manifesting a 'Soulsword' and using 'teleportation discs' to travel to another dimension called Limbo. The main antagonist, the Demon Bear, is a 'supernatural entity that feeds on the fears of human victims'. A scene depicts a character, Rahne, haunted by a vision of a reverend who branded her as a 'witch'. A church is depicted where a girl shouts 'demons can't come in churches,' but a demon enters and causes destruction within it.
Scary & Intense Content
HighAs a superhero horror film, it contains frequent frightening and intense sequences, including jump scares, disturbing imagery, and psychological horror elements. Characters are tormented by manifestations of their past traumas and fears, leading to a dark and suspenseful atmosphere.
The film's atmosphere is consistently dark and suspenseful, aiming for horror themes. Characters are plagued by terrifying hallucinations and flashbacks, such as Illyana being attacked by the 'Smiling Men,' monstrous manifestations of her childhood abusers. Roberto relives the horrifying vision of his scorched girlfriend attacking him after he accidentally killed her. The Demon Bear, a massive and terrifying entity, is a source of intense fear and violence, creating a palpable sense of dread.
Anti-Christian Themes
HighThe film contains explicit anti-Catholic religious imagery and bias, as noted by critical reviews. A devoutly Catholic character's past trauma is directly linked to an abusive religious figure, portraying religious authority in a negative light. A scene also depicts a demon entering and causing destruction within a church.
Rahne Sinclair, a character identified as Catholic, experiences a terrifying vision of a 'crazed cardinal in full clerical garb' who brands her as a 'witch' with a hot iron, explicitly connecting religious authority with persecution and cruelty. The Catholic News Service classified the film as 'O — morally offensive' due to its 'anti-Catholic religious imagery and bias'. A scene also shows a demon entering a church, despite a character's attempt to prevent it, and the church is subsequently destroyed in the mayhem.
Romance and Sexual Content
MediumThe film includes romantic kissing between both heterosexual and same-sex couples. There are non-graphic sexual references and implied nudity. Characters are seen in a communal shower, though only upper backs are shown, and a character confesses to masturbation.
Dani Moonstar and Rahne Sinclair engage in multiple romantic kissing scenes. Roberto da Costa and Illyana Rasputin also share passionate kisses. Characters are shown from the shoulders up in a communal shower, implying nudity. Rahne confesses that she masturbated. The film contains a few non-graphic sexual references.
Profanity
MediumThe movie includes instances of strong language, including one use of the 'f-word' and multiple uses of 'scatological cursing' (s-word), along with occasional milder profanities and terms of deity.
The MPAA content descriptors mention 'one use of extreme profanity' (the f-word). There are 'eight uses of scatological cursing' (the s-word) and occasional mild profanities and terms of deity throughout the dialogue.
Disrespect & Rebellion
MediumThe narrative centers on the protagonists' defiance and rebellion against Dr. Cecilia Reyes, the manipulative authority figure holding them captive in the facility. Their acts of defiance are central to the plot as they unite to escape her control.
The young mutants exhibit a 'fierce resentment of authority figures,' specifically Dr. Reyes, who is revealed to be manipulating them for the Essex Corporation. The plot revolves around their collective decision to rebel and fight against Dr. Reyes to escape the facility, which they perceive as a 'cage'. Rahne explicitly voices suspicion of Reyes's 'procedures'.
Substance Use
LowThe movie contains very brief and incidental references to substance use, specifically a single mention of marijuana. There is also a scene depicting characters consuming beverages, though it is not explicitly stated if they are alcoholic.
There is a brief reference to marijuana mentioned in content warnings. Additionally, in a party scene, the characters are shown consuming beverages, but it is not explicitly clear whether these drinks are alcoholic.
Other Notes
Target Demographic
Ages 14+ with strong parental guidance. While rated PG-13 by the MPAA, the film contains frequent intense violence, graphic horror elements, a significant occult worldview, explicit anti-Christian imagery, and a central lesbian romance. Younger teens may be disturbed by the dark themes and frightening visuals, and Christian parents may find certain thematic elements concerning.
Additional Notes
The New Mutants aims for a darker, horror-infused take on the superhero genre, which significantly distinguishes its content from typical Marvel films. Parents should be aware that the psychological horror elements and depictions of trauma are central to the story. The film's overall tone is dark, and while it features themes of friendship and confronting fears, these are often presented through intense and disturbing scenarios.
Related Reviews
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