The Witches
The Witches (2020) is a dark fantasy comedy-horror film adapted from Roald Dahl's classic novel, directed by Robert Zemeckis. Set in 1960s Alabama, the story follows a young orphaned boy who, while staying with his grandmother, stumbles upon a secret convention of child-hating witches. Led by the Grand High Witch, these witches conspire to transform all children into mice using a magical potion. The film explores themes of good versus evil, courage, and the power of teamwork as the boy, now a mouse, and his grandmother work to thwart the witches' wicked plan. The movie blends elements of fantasy and adventure with notably frightening imagery and intense situations, making it a more intense viewing experience than some other children's adaptations.
Concerns
Violence
HighThe film contains significant violence, including threats and acts of harm towards children, physical confrontations, and magical transformations with disturbing visuals. Themes of death and peril are present throughout the narrative.
A witch is depicted crushing a cartoon image of a child with a stiletto heel. The Grand High Witch violently smashes a rostrum by bashing her head into it and throws it, cackling about her plan to destroy all children. Children are magically transformed into mice, a process shown with unsettling visuals of shaking, purple smoke, and disappearing heads. A witch uses laser powers from her claws to disintegrate another witch. Hero Boy's parents are killed in a car crash, with a scene showing him upside down in the wreckage. Grandma recounts how her childhood friend, Alice, was transformed into a chicken by a witch, a frightening image involving lumps appearing on her face.
Witchcraft & Occult
HighWitchcraft and occult themes are central and pervasive, depicting evil witches actively using dark magic, potions, and demonic appearances to harm children. The film also introduces elements of folk magic or voodoo associated with the protagonist's grandmother.
The entire plot revolves around a coven of witches led by the Grand High Witch, who uses magical potions to transform children into mice as part of their evil plan. The witches are described as having 'demonic appearances and tendencies'. The Grand High Witch is seen performing a spell to transform children into mice, involving a potion and a dramatic incantation. Grandma, while portrayed positively, utilizes 'home health remedies (possibly voodoo magic)' and is characterized as a 'healing priestess who uses potion making' to combat the witches. A character is noted to stay in 'Room 666' at the hotel, a number commonly associated with occult references.
Scary & Intense Content
HighThe film is noted for its frightening imagery, intense sequences, and overall dark tone, making it potentially disturbing for younger audiences. The appearances of the witches and the transformations are particularly unsettling.
The Grand High Witch's appearance is often cited as 'very frightening,' with her mouth growing wide to split her face apart and her nose and nostrils expanding as she sniffs out children. The transformation scenes where children turn into mice are visually disturbing, depicting shaking, purple smoke, and disappearing heads. Grandma recounts a flashback where her friend Alice was transformed into a chicken, showing grotesque physical changes. The film's overall tone is described as 'more like a horror movie' than a typical children's film, aiming to 'terrify children into staying up all night on Halloween'.
LGBTQ & Gender Identity
MediumWhile no explicit LGBTQ characters or plotlines are present, the actress portraying the Grand High Witch, Anne Hathaway, publicly stated that her performance was significantly inspired by RuPaul's Drag Race. This creative influence connects a central character's portrayal to prominent LGBTQ culture.
Anne Hathaway, who plays the Grand High Witch, revealed in an interview that she drew inspiration from RuPaul's Drag Race for her performance, stating she tried to incorporate 'every single thing I've learnt from that show' into her fabulous entrance. This acknowledges an LGBTQ cultural phenomenon as a direct influence on a key character's presentation, though the character herself is not explicitly LGBTQ.
Substance Use
MediumSubstance use is present through magical potions that alter physical states and casual adult consumption of alcohol. No illegal drug use or glorification of addiction is depicted.
Potions are a central element, explicitly used by the witches to transform children into mice. Grandma is shown occasionally having an alcoholic drink. Characters are seen drinking wine during dinner scenes.
Anti-Christian Themes
MediumWhile the film includes some positive references to God and themes of good triumphing over evil, it prominently features occult practices, paganism, and specific symbols that may conflict with Christian beliefs. The grandmother's spiritual practices are depicted as syncretistic.
Movieguide notes the film's worldview is 'marred by strong, scary occult elements with evil witches gathering together, demons, potions'. The character of Grandma, while having 'positive references to God,' also engages in 'occult paganism' and is described as a 'healing priestess who uses potion making'. A character stays in 'Room 666' at a hotel, a number often associated with anti-Christian or demonic symbolism.
Romance and Sexual Content
LowSexual content is minimal and generally non-explicit, primarily involving suggestive attire or minor actions rather than overt romance or sexual acts. There are no detailed discussions of sexual activity or explicit romantic relationships.
Some women characters are shown in revealing clothing. A scene features a woman removing a flask from her cleavage. A metal bra is briefly depicted. A child is seen in a bathtub, but no private body parts are shown.
Profanity
LowThe movie includes infrequent instances of mild coarse language and terms of deity, but no strong or offensive expletives are used frequently.
Mild coarse language includes phrases such as 'Oh my God,' 'crap,' and 'What in God's name?'. Occasional use of terms like 'for God's sake' and 'So help me God' is noted.
Disrespect & Rebellion
LowDisrespect and rebellion are generally framed heroically, as children stand against the evil witches. Minor instances of parental scolding occur but are not central to promoting disrespect.
The primary acts of rebellion involve the children (Hero Boy, Bruno, Daisy) working against the witches to stop their evil plan, which is presented as a courageous and necessary act against malevolent forces. There is a brief scene where Bruno's mother scolds him for being dirty and grabs him by the ear.
Other Notes
Target Demographic
This film is recommended for children aged 10 and older with strong parental guidance due to its intense scary imagery, supernatural themes, and violence targeted at children. Younger or more sensitive viewers may find the witches' appearances and the child-to-mouse transformations highly disturbing and potentially traumatic.
Additional Notes
Parents should be aware that while this is a Roald Dahl adaptation, the 2020 film is noted for its darker, more horror-like tone and visually unsettling special effects, particularly concerning the witches' appearances and the child-to-mouse transformations. Discussions around disability are also relevant, as the film's portrayal of witches' physical differences (e.g., clawed hands, toeless feet) drew criticism for potentially contributing to negative stereotypes. The film's ending may also be a point of discussion, as it largely aligns with the original book's conclusion where the children remain mice.
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