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Thor: Ragnarok

Name: Thor: Ragnarok - Christian Parent's Review
Item: Thor: Ragnarok
Rating: 1
Author: StoryScanner

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General Review

Parent's Guide to Thor: Ragnarok

Thor: Ragnarok is the third installment in the Marvel Cinematic Universe's Thor franchise, blending cosmic adventure with a significant comedic tone. The film follows Thor as he tries to prevent the prophesied destruction of Asgard, known as Ragnarok, at the hands of his long-lost older sister, Hela, the Goddess of Death. Along the way, he finds himself imprisoned on the planet Sakaar, forced to fight in a gladiatorial arena against his Avenger ally, the Hulk, and forms an unlikely team with Loki and the Valkyrie. The movie is known for its vibrant visuals, fast-paced action, and humorous dialogue, a notable shift in tone from previous Thor films, and is generally targeted at a teenage and adult audience who appreciate superhero action and comedy.

Things to Consider

High2

Violence

The movie contains frequent and intense sequences of sci-fi violence, including large-scale battles, hand-to-hand combat, and various forms of death and injury, though often with minimal blood or in a fantastical context. Some scenes involve dismemberment, impalement, and a character being slowly melted.

Hela, the goddess of death, is shown ruthlessly killing numerous Asgardian soldiers and civilians using her summoned blades, impaling multiple individuals with little hesitation. Thor sustains a severe injury when Hela gouges out his right eye, leaving a visibly bloody socket before he receives an eyepatch. A disturbing scene depicts a character being slowly melted into a screaming goo by the Grandmaster's 'melt stick,' which some viewers may find unpleasant. Thor and Hulk engage in a brutal gladiatorial arena fight, involving heavy blows and property destruction.

Scary & Intense Content

The film contains several elements that could be frightening or intense for younger viewers, including menacing villains, monstrous creatures, significant character deaths, and disfigurement.

Hela is a formidable and menacing villain, often depicted with a dark, skeletal helmet, who is capable of gruesome acts and is portrayed as genuinely frightening. The movie features several scary creatures, such as the gigantic fire demon Surtur, an army of skeletal warriors, and the monstrous wolf Fenris, which are involved in intense and destructive battles. The death of Odin, Thor's father, occurs early in the film, a somber moment that might be disturbing for younger children, as he dissipates into sparkling energy. Thor losing an eye is a vivid and intense moment of disfigurement.

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Medium7

LGBTQ & Gender IdentityRomance and Sexual ContentProfanityWitchcraft & OccultSubstance UseDisrespect & RebellionAnti-Christian Themes

Medium7

LGBTQ & Gender Identity

While not explicitly depicted within the film itself, actress Tessa Thompson, who portrays Valkyrie, confirmed that her character is bisexual within the cinematic universe's canon. This representation, though not visually explored on screen in 'Thor: Ragnarok,' indicates an LGBTQ identity for a prominent character.

Romance and Sexual Content

The film includes brief suggestive material, adult jokes, and implied sexual activity rather than explicit scenes. There is also brief partial nudity.

The Grandmaster refers to his personal spaceship as having been used for 'orgies,' advising others not to touch anything inside. Thor makes a comment about loving women, and sometimes 'loving women too much,' implying a history of multiple romantic or sexual encounters. Hulk is briefly shown from behind in full rear nudity as he exits a pool, which Thor reacts to with a humorous, slightly uncomfortable comment. Sexual innuendos regarding Thor's hammer are present in dialogue.

Profanity

There is a moderate amount of coarse language present in the film, including several common curse words and expletives. However, the most severe profanity (e.g., the 'f-word') is absent.

Witchcraft & Occult

The movie is deeply rooted in Norse mythology, featuring gods, goddesses, and prophecies that constitute pagan elements. Additionally, magical abilities and sorcery are depicted through characters like Doctor Strange and Hela, which can be considered occult themes.

Doctor Strange appears in the film, utilizing powerful sorcery to manipulate time, space, and objects, showcasing mystical abilities. Hela's powers are mystical in nature, allowing her to conjure weapons, raise an army of the dead (necromancy), and draw power directly from Asgard, aligning with occult themes. The entire premise revolves around Norse mythology, presenting multiple deities (Odin, Thor, Hela) and the prophecy of 'Ragnarok,' the destruction of Asgard, which are pagan elements contrasting a Christian worldview.

Substance Use

Alcohol use is explicitly and frequently depicted, particularly with the character of Valkyrie, who is portrayed as an alcoholic. Thor is also shown consuming alcohol.

Disrespect & Rebellion

The film portrays instances of disrespect and rebellion through key characters, particularly Loki's habitual treachery and the protagonists' defiance against oppressive authority figures. There is also a generally irreverent tone that contributes to an atmosphere of challenging norms.

Loki consistently demonstrates deceptive and rebellious behavior, initially impersonating Odin and later betraying Thor on Sakaar, before joining forces with him out of self-preservation. Thor and his allies engage in a significant act of rebellion by escaping the Grandmaster's control on Sakaar and then directly opposing Hela's tyrannical rule over Asgard. The film's overall comedic and irreverent tone, often at the expense of authority figures or serious situations, can be seen as promoting a casual disrespect for traditional norms.

Anti-Christian Themes

The movie is heavily imbued with Norse mythology, featuring a pantheon of gods and goddesses who are central to the narrative, presenting a polytheistic worldview that conflicts with monotheistic Christian beliefs. Magic and sorcery are also integral to the plot.

The entire story is built upon Norse mythology, with characters like Thor, Odin, and Hela being depicted as actual gods with divine powers, which can be seen as promoting a pagan, polytheistic worldview rather than a monotheistic one. Doctor Strange's use of sorcery and the general presence of 'pagan elements' are highlighted by Christian review outlets as points of concern or discussion. The concept of Ragnarok itself, as a prophesied 'end-times' event for Asgard, carries spiritual implications outside of a biblical framework.

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“Thor: Ragnarok” presents a complex worldview that, while rooted in Norse mythology and a polytheistic framework, offers several themes that resonate with or contradict biblical values. The core message that "Asgard is not a place, but a people" aligns well with Christian principles emphasizing the value of human life and community over material possessions or physical locations. The film promotes resilience and fighting for what is right, showcasing Thor's journey of discovering inner strength beyond his hammer, which can be seen as a metaphor for trusting in one's inherent worth and God-given abilities rather than external idols or power. However, the movie's depiction of a pantheon of gods and goddesses, along with sorcery from characters like Doctor Strange, presents an anti-biblical worldview that Christian parents may want to discuss with their children, highlighting the singular sovereignty of the one true God. Additionally, while the film provides a distinction between good and evil, the morally ambiguous past of figures like Odin, and the chaotic nature of some character actions, suggest a relativistic ethical landscape in certain aspects. The movie also contains excessive violence and some suggestive humor that may be concerning for younger viewers. Redemption themes are evident, particularly in the character arcs of Thor and Loki. Thor demonstrates self-sacrifice and a growing humility as he learns from his mistakes and chooses to prioritize the safety of his people, even at the cost of his home. Loki, traditionally a villain, exhibits moments of reluctant heroism and loyalty, suggesting the potential for change, even if he doesn't fully embrace virtue. Odin's unconditional love for his sons, despite their past actions, echoes themes of grace and forgiveness. Family values are a central conflict, exploring the complex dynamics between siblings Thor, Loki, and Hela, and the difficult truths about their father's past. While there are portrayals of fractured relationships and parental failings, there is also an emphasis on the enduring bond of brotherhood and the importance of family, albeit within a fantastical and often humorous context. The film does not explicitly depict Christian faith; rather, it operates within its own mythological construct. However, the underlying themes of sacrifice, leadership, and the value of people can serve as discussion points for aligning secular narratives with biblical teachings.

Additional Context

Best For Ages

Parental guidance is recommended for viewers aged 13 and older due to frequent, intense sci-fi violence, mature themes, brief suggestive material, and some profanity. Younger children (under 13) may find certain scenes and characters, particularly Hela and the fire demon Surtur, frightening or disturbing. The film's blend of humor with dark themes and violent sequences suggests it is not suitable for young children.

Good to Know

The tone of 'Thor: Ragnarok' is significantly more comedic and irreverent than previous Thor films, which some viewers appreciate for its entertainment value, while others note it detracts from the gravitas of the characters and their world. This shift can influence how intense scenes are perceived, often balancing violence with humor. The film focuses on themes of family, sacrifice, friendship, and resilience, with some light biblical allusions noted by Christian reviewers, amidst its pagan mythological setting.

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