The Willoughbys
The Willoughbys is a 2020 animated comedy film produced by Netflix Animation, directed by Kris Pearn, and based on the book by Lois Lowry. The story follows the four neglected Willoughby children – Tim, Jane, and the Barnaby twins – who are desperate to be rid of their self-centered parents. They devise a perilous 'vacation' for their parents, hoping to become orphans. Their plans take an unexpected turn with the arrival of a kindhearted nanny and an abandoned baby, leading the siblings on an adventure to discover the true meaning of family. The film is celebrated for its unique animation style, comedic tone, and exploration of themes such as family, love, and finding belonging outside of biological ties. It is generally aimed at a family audience, though it contains dark humor and mature themes of parental neglect that may be more suitable for older children.
Concerns
Disrespect & Rebellion
HighDisrespect and rebellion are central to the film's plot, as the neglected Willoughby children actively conspire to get rid of their parents and run their own lives. They defy authority figures (their parents) through various schemes and express a strong desire to be free of them.
1. The entire premise revolves around the Willoughby children creating a dangerous 'vacation' brochure to send their parents away, explicitly hoping they will die so the children can become orphans. 2. The children destroy family heirlooms and booby-trap their home with devices like electric shocks and catapults to prevent new buyers, demonstrating extreme defiance and disregard for property and authority.
LGBTQ & Gender Identity
MediumThe film includes subtle LGBTQ representation, particularly in a montage depicting diverse family structures, which briefly features a gay couple. Additionally, director Kris Pearn has commented on a character's physical trait (Jane's mustache) as being open to non-binary or trans interpretations, and he discussed the idea of characters being what they 'choose to be' regarding gender identity in an interview, although this is not explicitly canonized within the film itself.
1. In a montage showcasing positive foster family examples, a brief visual depicts a family headed by two fathers, normalizing same-sex parenting without explicit dialogue or focus. 2. At the film's conclusion, Jane Willoughby is shown with a mustache, a physical trait that director Kris Pearn and an interviewer discussed as representing non-binary or trans identity and the concept of choosing one's identity.
Violence
MediumThe movie features frequent, often slapstick, cartoon violence, including physical harm, reckless behavior, and implied deaths. The central plot revolves around children attempting to send their parents to their demise through dangerous travel brochures and booby traps. While largely comedic and not graphic, the themes of child abuse and neglect are significant and disturbing, including children being starved and locked in a coal bin.
1. The Willoughby children devise a 'murderous adventure' for their parents, creating a travel brochure filled with deadly traps like erupting volcanoes, stampeding rhinos, and sharks, which their parents obliviously survive until a final, implied shark attack. 2. The children booby-trap their house to deter potential buyers, resulting in characters receiving electric shocks, being punched by boxing gloves, catapulted through windows, and falling through trap doors.
Romance and Sexual Content
MediumThe film contains mild romantic and sexual content, primarily involving the excessively affectionate, self-absorbed Mr. and Mrs. Willoughby, who are shown constantly kissing and engaging in suggestive banter. There are also instances of mild sexual innuendo and brief, non-explicit nudity.
1. Mr. and Mrs. Willoughby are depicted constantly kissing, hugging, and using suggestive terms of endearment such as 'musty buns.' Their interactions can sometimes sound sultry. 2. There's a playful use of language with 'Mother's balls,' referring to Mrs. Willoughby's knitting yarn, which is intended to invoke a crude slang term for male anatomy. The birth of Tim is indirectly shown with a 'squelch and a plop' behind a door, and baby Tim is briefly seen naked showing his bare bottom.
Scary & Intense Content
MediumThe film's dark humor and central themes of child neglect and abandonment can be intense and emotionally disturbing for younger viewers. While much of the peril is comedic, it involves scenarios like children being starved, locked in a coal bin, and facing dangerous situations. There are also visually unsettling moments, such as a 'ghost or beast' in the attic and a character pretending to be a monster.
1. The Willoughby parents frequently lock their children in a dark coal bin as punishment and neglect them to the point of starvation, which is a continuously dark and intense element of their home life. 2. The children encounter a 'large ghost or beast' in the attic that appears scary, and later, a character pretends to be a monster with flame-like lighting, potentially frightening younger children.
Profanity
LowThe movie includes some mild coarse language and name-calling. While some sources note minimal profanity, others identify specific terms that, while not considered strong, are more than completely absent.
1. Characters use mild exclamations such as 'darn' and 'blimey'. 2. Instances of name-calling occur, including terms like 'shut up,' 'screwed up,' 'idiots,' and 'ball burner.'
Witchcraft & Occult
LowThere is no significant depiction of witchcraft, sorcery, occult practices, or overt supernatural themes in the film. Fantasy elements like a talking cat narrator and a painting coming to life are present but are not presented as occult or witchcraft.
1. The film features a talking cat as the narrator, which is a common fantasy trope rather than an occult element. 2. A picture of Great Uncle Edmund on a wall briefly comes to life and speaks, serving as a comedic and fantastical device.
Substance Use
LowThe film contains minimal substance use, limited to adults consuming wine. This is depicted casually and is not a central theme or shown in a way that glorifies or encourages misuse.
1. Mr. and Mrs. Willoughby are shown sharing and drinking a bottle of wine. 2. Jane, one of the Willoughby children, is seen sneaking and stealing a bottle of wine from her parents.
Anti-Christian Themes
LowThe film does not contain explicit anti-Christian themes or mockery of Christian beliefs. While it portrays severely neglectful parents and highlights the children's eventual choice of family, one review suggests this narrative might implicitly challenge the interpretation of the commandment 'Honor thy mother and father' by presenting parents unworthy of honor. However, this is an interpretive point rather than an explicit anti-Christian message.
1. There are no overt instances of characters insulting or mocking Christian beliefs or symbols. 2. The film's strong theme of children seeking loving, adoptive parents to replace abusive biological parents is seen by some as potentially challenging traditional interpretations of 'Honor thy mother and father,' but the film itself promotes positive values like love, hope, and determination.
Other Notes
Target Demographic
The Willoughbys is best suited for children aged 8 and above, with parental guidance recommended for those between 8 and 12 years. While rated PG and featuring whimsical animation, the film's central themes of extreme parental neglect, abandonment, and the children's attempts to 'orphan themselves' can be disturbing and may require discussion. Younger children might find the dark humor, implied dangers, and cartoon violence unsettling, despite its often comedic presentation. The movie also subtly addresses diverse family structures and gender identity, which parents may wish to discuss.
Additional Notes
The overall tone of 'The Willoughbys' is dark comedy, which uses exaggeration to highlight themes of family dysfunction and neglect. While the animated style is whimsical, the emotional depth of the children's suffering and their desperate measures might be intense for sensitive viewers. The film ultimately delivers a message about chosen family and the importance of love and care.
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