The Secret Garden
The Secret Garden (2020) is a British fantasy drama film based on Frances Hodgson Burnett's classic novel, targeting a family audience with a PG rating for thematic elements and mild peril. Set in 1947, it follows orphaned Mary Lennox as she moves to her uncle's secluded Yorkshire estate. There, she discovers a hidden, magical garden that becomes a place of healing and discovery for her and her ailing cousin, Colin, and friend Dickon. The movie explores themes of grief, loss, friendship, and the restorative power of nature, presenting a visually rich narrative that contrasts dark, gloomy interiors with the vibrant, fantastical garden. While offering positive messages about resilience and hope, the film contains mature themes and intense scenes that may be unsettling for younger viewers, making it generally recommended for children aged 8 and above.
Concerns
Violence
MediumThe movie contains several instances of implied and mild physical violence, along with themes of tragedy and peril. While not graphic, scenes depict characters in distress and conflict, some of which may be upsetting for younger audiences.
1. Jemima the dog gets its paw caught in a rabbit trap, resulting in a visible injury and whimpering cries, causing distress for Mary as she frees the injured animal. 2. Uncle Archibald, in a fit of anger, yells at Mary and locks her in her room. Later, he accidentally sets the house on fire, creating a dramatic scene where Mary rushes through flames and smoke to rescue him.
Romance and Sexual Content
MediumOverall, the film contains minimal to no romantic or sexual content, consistent with its family-friendly genre. Most parental reviews state 'None noted.' However, one specific review source mentions an isolated instance of partial male nudity.
1. Multiple reviews state that there is 'None noted' regarding sexual content or nudity. 2. Movieguide, as cited by StoryScanner, reports 'Upper male nudity in a swimming scene when two boys and a girl swim in a pond'. This is an isolated, non-sexual instance of partial nudity.
Witchcraft & Occult
MediumThis adaptation introduces a more overtly magical and supernatural element to the garden and its inhabitants, which differs from the book's subtle enchantment. Reviewers note a 'pagan worldview' and explicit magical thinking.
1. The garden itself is portrayed as explicitly magical, featuring 'instantly growing flowers; helpful trees and birds; vivid, out-of-this-world, saturated colors; and rapid healing powers'. 2. Mary's mother and aunt appear in 'supernatural form' within the garden, acting as guiding spirits for Mary and Uncle Archibald, which some sources interpret as 'communicating with dead people'.
Substance Use
MediumThe film includes limited depictions of substance use, specifically involving a main character consuming alcohol, which leads to impaired behavior.
1. Uncle Archibald is shown drinking what is identified as whiskey, and he acts intoxicated. 2. While in an impaired state from drinking, Uncle Archibald carelessly causes a major house fire, leading to a perilous situation for himself and Mary.
Scary & Intense Content
MediumThe movie contains several scenes and thematic elements that can be intense or frightening for children, particularly those under 8-10 years old. These include themes of death, isolation, a gloomy atmosphere, and dramatic peril.
1. Mary is orphaned after her parents die from cholera and she is initially left alone in a disheveled house, depicting her isolation and fear. 2. The Craven mansion is presented as large, dark, and gloomy. Colin tells Mary that the house is 'cursed,' having 'killed his mother and nearly killed him,' contributing to a sense of dread.
Disrespect & Rebellion
MediumMary Lennox's character initially displays significant disrespect and rebellious behavior, stemming from her privileged upbringing and subsequent trauma. Her defiance of rules is a key element of the early plot.
1. Mary is described as an 'unpleasant, unkind' and 'spoiled and bratty' girl who frequently disobeys rules, such as being told not to wander the house or enter certain rooms, which leads to her discovering Colin. 2. Mary frequently butts heads with the strict housekeeper, Mrs. Medlock, displaying defiance and anger in her interactions with authority figures.
Anti-Christian Themes
MediumWhile not explicitly anti-Christian, the film's enhanced magical elements and emphasis on ancestor guidance introduce themes that some Christian parents may find concerning due to their divergence from a Christian worldview regarding spirituality and interaction with the deceased.
1. The film features Mary's mother and aunt appearing in 'supernatural form' to 'help and guide Mary' and Uncle Archibald, which some Christian reviews interpret as promoting 'magical thinking and communicating with dead people'. 2. Mary recounts an 'Indian myth story' involving 'an evil demon,' which some sources categorize as references to 'polytheistic Hindu mythology,' potentially conflicting with Christian beliefs.
LGBTQ & Gender Identity
LowExtensive targeted searches for LGBTQ+ content, characters, or themes in 'The Secret Garden (2020)' and related production details yielded no specific findings. Review sites and fan discussions do not indicate any LGBTQ+ representation, explicit or implied, within the movie's storyline or character development. The film focuses on platonic friendships and family bonds.
No explicit or implied LGBTQ+ content, characters, or themes were identified in the movie. This includes Mary Lennox, Colin Craven, Dickon, or any other primary or secondary characters. No statements by director Marc Munden or screenwriter Jack Thorne regarding LGBTQ+ representation in this adaptation were found in the conducted searches.
Profanity
LowBased on comprehensive review analysis, 'The Secret Garden (2020)' contains no instances of coarse language or profanity. Multiple parental guides explicitly state that no profanity was noted in the film.
1. Common Sense Media and other reviewers explicitly state 'No bad language' or 'None noted' for profanity. 2. The dialogue remains clean throughout the film, suitable for younger viewers, without any instances of curse words or strong expletives being used by characters.
Other Notes
Target Demographic
The film is recommended for children aged 8 and older, with parental guidance suggested for those aged 8-10. This is due to its PG rating, which includes thematic elements concerning death, grief, and isolation, as well as some intense scenes and mild peril. Younger children might find the dark atmosphere, supernatural elements, and themes of loss emotionally challenging and potentially frightening.
Additional Notes
The 2020 adaptation of 'The Secret Garden' enhances the magical realism of the original story, presenting the garden itself as a more overtly supernatural entity with healing powers. This artistic choice, while visually stunning, shifts the tone from the more subtle, naturalistic healing depicted in Frances Hodgson Burnett's novel. Parents should be aware that the film delves deeply into themes of grief and loss, with characters experiencing profound sadness and isolation, which may require discussion with younger viewers. The emotional intensity is heightened by the dark visual style of the mansion contrasting with the vibrant garden. The film's timeline is set in 1947, a change from the Edwardian era of the book, which also adds a slightly different historical context.
Related Reviews
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