Wish
Wish is an animated musical fantasy film from Walt Disney Animation Studios, celebrating 100 years of Disney storytelling. The movie follows Asha, a sharp-witted idealist living in the magical kingdom of Rosas, where King Magnifico collects and safeguards the wishes of his subjects, granting only a select few. When Asha discovers the King's true intentions to hoard these wishes, she makes a desperate plea to the stars and is answered by a cosmic force, a literal wishing star named Star. Together with Star and her talking goat Valentino, Asha embarks on a quest to free the wishes and inspire her community to pursue their own dreams. The film is generally aimed at a family audience, rated PG for thematic elements and mild action. It features vibrant animation, original songs, and numerous Easter eggs referencing past Disney films. While offering positive messages about courage, hope, and determination, the movie contains elements of magic, a villain who becomes increasingly dark and menacing, and themes of rebellion against an oppressive ruler. Parents should be aware of these elements, as well as some discussions regarding the film's worldview and subtle hints at LGBTQ+ themes.
Concerns
Witchcraft & Occult
HighMagic is a central element of the story, depicted through King Magnifico's sorcery, Asha's connection to a wishing star, and the use of a forbidden spellbook. Magnifico's magic becomes increasingly dark and sinister, involving visible incantations and transformations.
King Magnifico's library is filled with magical books, including one containing 'dark, forbidden magic' that he uses to gain power and control over wishes. This spellbook is depicted as a sinful temptation with grave consequences. Asha herself 'calls down a wishing star' by singing to the starry sky, which shakes the magical kingdom and grants supernatural abilities to animals.
LGBTQ & Gender Identity
MediumThe film contains subtle and ambiguous references to LGBTQ+ themes, with some reviewers noting an 'ambiguous wink to its LGBT fans' and discussions around the gender identity of certain characters. The character Gabo's sexual identity was perceived as uncertain by some, and he is voiced by queer-identifying actor Harvey Guillen. Additionally, the cosmic entity Star is intentionally not gendered in marketing materials.
One of Asha's friends, Gabo, is voiced by queer-identifying actor Harvey Guillen, and a reviewer noted Gabo's sexual identity 'felt uncertain' to them, suggesting a 'wink-wink trans character'. Although press materials refer to Gabo as a 'boy,' the ambiguity was perceived. Another instance is the character of Star, a 'cosmic force' that appears as 'a little ball of boundless energy.' Disney's marketing and descriptions intentionally do not gender Star, referring to the character only as 'it' or 'a little ball of boundless energy'.
Violence
MediumThe movie includes mild fantasy violence, primarily involving magical attacks and scenes of peril, without explicit gore or lasting injuries. King Magnifico uses dark magic to harm and control people, and there are moments of physical impact from magical blasts.
King Magnifico utilizes magical blasts to knock down, drag, or overpower people. For example, he shoots magical blasts that affect various characters during confrontations. Additionally, Magnifico crushes the wishes of citizens, which causes physical pain and grief to the original wishers, described as one character gasping and holding her chest 'as if she experienced a very short heart attack'.
Scary & Intense Content
MediumThe movie features several intense and potentially frightening scenes, particularly centered around King Magnifico's descent into villainy. His transformation, magical attacks, and the general atmosphere of tyranny can be disturbing for younger viewers.
King Magnifico transforms into a 'demonic-looking king' with 'angry features and evil, green, glowing eyes' as he wields forbidden magic, which can be scary for young children. There are also shadowy images of monsters resembling Magnifico cast on a wall, described as 'creepy and disturbing'. Asha's father's death is mentioned, adding a sad and emotionally intense element to her backstory.
Disrespect & Rebellion
MediumThe central plot involves Asha leading a rebellion against King Magnifico, who is presented as a tyrannical ruler. While the film frames this as a righteous fight against oppression, it inherently depicts defiance of authority, which some parents may find concerning depending on their interpretation of the king's initial intentions.
Asha initiates a 'righteous rebellion against tyranny' after discovering King Magnifico's true intentions to hoard wishes and prevent his subjects from realizing their dreams. She 'breaks and enters' Magnifico's castle to reclaim the wishes, an act some sources describe as 'stealing' what was freely given to the king.
Anti-Christian Themes
MediumThe movie promotes a secular and naturalistic worldview, emphasizing inner power and a connection to cosmic 'stardust' as the source of inspiration and wish-fulfillment, rather than a transcendent Creator. Some reviewers have interpreted these themes, particularly in songs and the villain's portrayal, as implicitly anti-Christian or atheistic.
The film suggests that humanity has a 'weird connection' to the stars chemically, promoting a naturalistic worldview where 'the power resides inside each of us' and we are 'stardust,' rather than attributing creation or inspiration to God. The villain's song and character have been interpreted by some viewers as a 'very accurate portrayal of the Christian god,' implying a critical stance on monotheistic faith, and Asha's 'I Want Song' is seen as capturing 'the feeling of leaving Christianity' by some Reddit users.
Romance and Sexual Content
LowThe film has minimal romantic or sexual content. There are mild suggestive elements and expressions of attraction, but nothing explicit or prolonged.
Asha's best friend, Dahlia, clearly has a crush on King Magnifico, going so far as to make cookies with his face on them and implying romantic interest. Another character explicitly states, in relation to the King, 'Now that is someone I would really like to kiss' and attempts to kiss a statue of him.
Profanity
LowNo coarse or strong profanity is present in the film. There are a few instances of crude humor, including uses of the word 'butt' and references to bodily functions.
The film contains no foul language or swear words. However, there is some crude humor, such as Asha's talking goat, Valentino, making a joke about 'balls of gas' and explicitly referencing eggs coming out of a chicken's 'butt'.
Substance Use
LowThe film contains no depiction or references to alcohol, drugs, or smoking.
Multiple parental reviews confirm the absence of drug and alcohol content in 'Wish'. There are no characters shown consuming substances or engaging in any related activities.
Other Notes
Target Demographic
Wish is generally suitable for children aged 6 and up, with parental guidance recommended for younger viewers (5-8 years old) due to some scary imagery, intense magical conflicts, and thematic elements involving a tyrannical villain. Children under 5 may find King Magnifico's transformed appearance and darker magical actions too frightening. Older children and pre-teens should be able to navigate the themes of rebellion and self-empowerment with minimal issues, though the film's secular leanings and subtle LGBTQ+ references might warrant discussion for Christian families.
Additional Notes
The animation style of 'Wish' is a blend of 3D CGI with a traditional 2D watercolor aesthetic, which may be a point of interest for parents familiar with Disney's animation history. The film also features numerous 'Easter eggs' and nods to classic Disney movies, which can be enjoyable for older viewers and fans of the studio.
Related Reviews
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