Start free10 free scans

The Witches

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

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

Screen for YOUR family

General Review

Parent's Guide to 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.

Things to Consider

High3

Violence

The 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

Witchcraft 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.

Scary & Intense Content

The 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.

Would these 3 concerns matter to your family?

Get a report based on your values — not generic ratings.

Medium3

Substance UseDisrespect & RebellionAnti-Christian Themes

Low3

LGBTQ & Gender IdentityRomance and Sexual ContentProfanity

Medium3

Substance Use

Substance 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.

Disrespect & Rebellion

Disrespect 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.

Anti-Christian Themes

While 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.

Low3

LGBTQ & Gender Identity

Searches 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.

Romance and Sexual Content

Romantic 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.

Profanity

The 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.

Want these personalized to YOUR family?

Roald Dahl's "The Witches" (2020) presents several themes that offer points of discussion for Christian parents. At its core, the film explores the universal struggle between good and evil, with the child-hating witches embodying clear malevolence against the innocence of children. This stark dichotomy aligns with a biblical understanding of opposing spiritual forces, though the film's depiction of witchcraft, magic, and demonic entities is central and pervasive, which parents should be prepared to discuss as practices contrary to Christian faith. Conversely, themes of kindness, friendship, courage, and selflessness are prominently displayed by the protagonist boy and his allies, reflecting virtues that resonate with biblical values. Morally, the narrative clearly rewards virtue, as the heroic efforts of the children and grandmother ultimately thwart the witches' wicked scheme, demonstrating that evil is defeated and good prevails. The witches, representing vice, are unequivocally portrayed as destructive and are punished for their actions.

Additional Context

Best For Ages

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.

Good to Know

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

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