The Witches
Roald Dahl's "The Witches" (2020 film) is a dark fantasy comedy horror adaptation set in 1960s Alabama, following a young orphaned boy who, with his grandmother, stumbles upon a coven of child-hating witches. Led by the Grand High Witch, these terrifying beings plot to transform all children into mice. The narrative centers on the boy, now a mouse, and his allies as they attempt to thwart the witches' wicked scheme. The film is rated PG and generally considered more suitable for older children, teenagers, and adults due to its intense and frightening imagery, supernatural themes, and violence. Reviewers frequently highlight the potentially disturbing visual effects of the witches and the transformation scenes, suggesting caution for younger viewers. While maintaining some comedic elements, the movie leans heavily into its horror aspects, delivering a vivid and sometimes unsettling interpretation of Dahl's classic tale.
Concerns
Violence
HighThe film contains moderate to high levels of violence, often involving threats and physical harm to children and witches. Transformations are depicted graphically, and witches meet violent ends. The overall tone surrounding the witches' intent to harm children contributes to the severity.
The Grand High Witch disintegrates a dissenting witch with a laser beam, causing her to vanish instantly. Children, including Hero Boy and Bruno, undergo painful transformations into mice, depicted with 'seizer-like behavior, smoke coming out of nose and ears, and explosions.' The Grand High Witch in her rat form is ultimately 'devoured' by her own cat, Hades. The aftermath of a car accident shows a 'lifeless limb' of a deceased parent.
Witchcraft & Occult
HighWitchcraft and occult themes are central and pervasive in the film. The story revolves entirely around evil witches, their dark magic, potions, and rituals to harm children. The portrayal of witches is grotesque and their powers are significant, including transformations and curses.
The Grand High Witch leads a coven with the explicit goal of turning children into mice using magic potions. Grandma Agatha describes how a witch cursed her childhood friend, Alice, turning her permanently into a chicken. The film features depictions of 'evil witches gathering together, demons, potions' and a character staying in hotel room 666.
Scary & Intense Content
HighThe film contains numerous frightening and intense scenes, particularly due to the witches' grotesque appearances, their cruel intentions, and the graphic depictions of children being transformed. These elements are likely to scare younger viewers and contribute to a suspenseful atmosphere.
The witches' true forms are revealed, featuring bald heads, clawed hands, and disfigured faces with gaping mouths and fangs, which many reviewers found genuinely terrifying. The transformation of children into mice is shown with 'seizer-like behavior, smoke coming out of nose and ears, and explosions that send the victim flying.' A witch approaches Charlie in a supermarket, trying to lure him with a snake that slithers close to his face, creating a tense and frightening encounter.
Substance Use
MediumSubstance use is present through the consumption of magical potions, often disguised in food, and infrequent background alcohol consumption. There is no depiction of illegal drug use or substance abuse leading to addiction.
Characters consume magical potions, hidden in food like pea soup, which cause them to transform into animals. Alcohol is infrequently consumed by characters in both home and hotel settings, though without explicit intoxication.
Disrespect & Rebellion
MediumDisrespect and rebellion are present in mild forms, largely through child characters defying the evil witches. Minor instances of childlike defiance and parental scolding occur but do not constitute a central theme of overt disrespect towards positive authority figures.
Hero Boy and Bruno actively work to sabotage the Grand High Witch's plan to turn all children into mice, directly rebelling against the witches' evil authority. Bruno's mother scolds him and grabs him by the ear for being dirty, demonstrating a typical parental disciplinary moment.
Anti-Christian Themes
MediumWhile the film's central theme of malevolent witches and occult practices can be perceived as anti-Christian, it also includes positive references to God and a moral worldview where good triumphs over evil. Grandma Agatha practices what is described as 'home health remedies (possibly voodoo magic)' and is a 'healing priestess,' which could be seen as pagan elements. The story itself does not explicitly mock or insult Christian beliefs.
The film features a character staying in 'Room 666' at a hotel, a number often associated with anti-Christian symbolism. Grandma Agatha's 'home health remedies (possibly voodoo magic)' and role as a 'healing priestess who uses potion making' introduce non-Christian spiritual practices into the narrative. Despite these, there are 'a few positive references to God and His almighty plans' and a general moral worldview where characters strive to overcome evil.
LGBTQ & Gender Identity
LowSearches for LGBTQ+ content, characters, or themes within 'The Witches' (2020) movie, its creators' statements, or relevant fan discussions did not yield any specific confirmed instances. While other 'witchy' media were noted to contain LGBTQ+ elements, 'The Witches' (2020) itself shows no explicit or implied LGBTQ+ representation in the provided search results.
Based on comprehensive searches, there is an absence of explicit or implied LGBTQ+ themes, characters, or representation directly related to 'The Witches' (2020) film in the available information.
Romance and Sexual Content
LowRomantic and sexual content is minimal. There are brief instances of suggestive clothing or actions, but no explicit sexual scenes or overt romantic plotlines. The focus remains on the fantasy-horror elements rather than relationships.
Women are seen in some revealing clothing. A woman removes a flask she has been hiding in her cleavage. A metal bra is shown on one of the witches.
Profanity
LowThe film includes infrequent use of mild profanity and terms of deity. It does not feature strong or offensive language extensively, keeping the dialogue generally clean save for occasional expressions.
Instances of mild profanity include one use of 'for God's sake' and 'So help me God'. The word 'crap' is also used once.
Other Notes
Target Demographic
The Witches (2020) is recommended for ages 10 and up. While rated PG, the intensity of the scary visuals, the graphic nature of some transformations, and the consistent thematic elements of children being hunted and endangered by evil witches may be too frightening for younger children. Parental guidance is strongly advised for those under 13.
Additional Notes
The film generated controversy due to its portrayal of witches with limb differences, particularly ectrodactyly, leading to accusations of perpetuating bias against individuals with disabilities. Warner Bros. and actress Anne Hathaway issued apologies regarding this issue. Unlike the 1990 adaptation, the 2020 version maintains the book's darker ending where the protagonist remains a mouse.
Related Reviews
Is The Witches right for your family?
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