Wonder Woman 1984
Wonder Woman 1984 is a superhero action-adventure film set in the vibrant, consumer-driven era of the 1980s. The story follows Diana Prince, also known as Wonder Woman, as she works as an archaeologist at the Smithsonian while secretly saving lives. Her lonely existence is complicated by the discovery of a mysterious ancient artifact, the Dreamstone, which grants wishes but demands a terrible price. As Diana navigates the return of her lost love, Steve Trevor, and battles two formidable new foes, Maxwell Lord and the Cheetah, she must confront the dangers of unchecked desire and the importance of truth. The film, a sequel to 2017's Wonder Woman, targets an audience of older children and adults, offering an exhilarating narrative with themes of love, truth, kindness, and self-sacrifice. It features a mix of fantasy elements, thrilling action sequences, and a retro 80s aesthetic.
Concerns
Violence
HighThe movie contains frequent action violence typical of the superhero genre, including fights, gun usage, and peril to characters. Some scenes are notably intense, featuring brutal physical confrontations and depictions of domestic violence, making certain moments disturbing for some viewers.
1. Barbara Minerva, after wishing to be more like Diana, brutally beats a drunken man who attempts to sexually assault her, leaving him bloody and his fate unclear. This scene is described as one of the film's more disturbing moments. 2. Early in the film, during a mall heist, a thief dangles a child over a high railing, placing the child in immediate and intense peril before Wonder Woman intervenes.
LGBTQ & Gender Identity
MediumWhile the character of Wonder Woman is canonically bisexual in the comic books, the movie itself does not explicitly depict any bisexual relationships or LGBTQ themes. However, some fan communities have interpreted a subtextual romantic chemistry between Diana Prince and Barbara Minerva, leading to discussions about potential queer representation or 'queerbaiting' within the film's narrative. Director and cast statements confirm no explicit LGBTQ content in this movie.
1. Gal Gadot, who plays Wonder Woman, has stated that while the character 'can be bisexual,' this specific film 'does not experience any bisexual relationships.' 2. Fan discussions on platforms like Reddit and Autostraddle suggest perceived romantic chemistry and an 'awkward date' between Diana and Barbara Minerva, with some fans feeling a 'gay' subtext was present, particularly in the film's first half, despite not being explicitly explored.
Romance and Sexual Content
MediumThe film includes romantic kissing and implies sexual activity without explicit scenes. There are instances of suggestive attire and brief scenes of ogling, contributing to a moderate level of romantic and sexual content.
1. Diana Prince and Steve Trevor are shown waking up together in bed the morning after his return. Steve is shirtless, and Diana is in a camisole, clearly implying a sexual encounter. 2. Barbara Minerva is seen working out in a revealing and clingy leotard, and later, women at a party wear low-cut, cleavage-revealing tops while older men are shown ogling young women exercising. Barbara also shares a passionate kiss with Maxwell Lord, with an apparent intent for a sexual encounter.
Profanity
MediumWonder Woman 1984 contains brief and mostly mild profanity, including a few stronger words. The language usage is infrequent but includes terms that some parents may find objectionable.
1. The film includes a single use of the 's-word' and individual uses of 'bitch' and 'hell'. 2. Instances of mild curses like 'damn' and 'loser' are present, along with casual exclamations such as 'oh my gosh' and 'shoot,' and a misuse of God's name once.
Witchcraft & Occult
MediumThe movie's central plot revolves around a magical artifact, the Dreamstone, which grants wishes with dangerous consequences. This is rooted in non-Christian mythology, with references to ancient gods and their powers, establishing a pagan worldview rather than a Christian one.
1. The Dreamstone is presented as a magical artifact from ancient Rome, created by an 'evil trickster god' that grants wishes but demands a sacrifice, influencing the entire plot with its supernatural powers. 2. Diana Prince explicitly mentions a polytheistic belief system, stating that 'there were many gods' who used elemental forces, which contrasts with a monotheistic Christian understanding of divinity.
Scary & Intense Content
MediumThe film features several intense and potentially frightening scenes, including perilous situations for children, brutal physical altercations, and a creature transformation. While not a horror film, some moments may be too intense for younger or sensitive viewers.
1. During a robbery, a child is held hostage and dangled over a high railing by a thief, creating a highly suspenseful and frightening situation. 2. Barbara Minerva's transformation into the Cheetah involves a creepy and physically disturbing metamorphosis into a powerful, apex predator, which could be unsettling for some viewers.
Disrespect & Rebellion
MediumThe movie features antagonists whose actions are driven by extreme selfishness, greed, and a rebellious disregard for the well-being of others and societal norms. While these behaviors are ultimately condemned within the narrative, they form central plot conflicts.
1. Maxwell Lord's character embodies intense greed and self-interest, as he uses the Dreamstone to accumulate power and wealth, causing global chaos and neglecting his son without regard for consequences. 2. Barbara Minerva's journey to becoming Cheetah is fueled by envy and a desire for power and recognition, leading her to embrace violent and defiant behavior, directly opposing Diana's self-sacrificial ideals.
Anti-Christian Themes
MediumThe film presents a worldview that incorporates polytheistic pagan mythology, directly referencing multiple gods and their influence on the world and artifacts. While not explicitly mocking Christianity, this worldview contrasts with a monotheistic Christian perspective, and one source notes the film implies that faith and religion can be a divisive force.
1. Diana explicitly states, 'there were many gods' who created powerful artifacts using 'elemental' forces, establishing a polytheistic understanding of divine power which differs fundamentally from Christian theology. 2. The central magical item, the Dreamstone, is said to have been created by an 'evil trickster god,' presenting a mythological origin for supernatural power outside of a Christian God.
Substance Use
LowSubstance use in the film is minimal, primarily involving casual social drinking of alcohol by adults. There is one scene depicting a man who is noticeably drunk, but no illegal drug use or smoking is shown.
1. Characters are seen holding drinks at a major social event, and main characters, including Diana, drink alcohol in a restaurant setting. 2. A drunken man approaches and bothers Barbara Minerva on two separate occasions, leading to a confrontation.
Other Notes
Target Demographic
Wonder Woman 1984 is rated PG-13 by the MPAA and is generally recommended for ages 13 and up. This recommendation is due to sequences of action violence, implied sexual content, some mild profanity, and thematic elements involving greed and pagan mythology. While the film promotes positive values, its intensity in certain scenes and mature themes may not be suitable for younger children.
Additional Notes
The film's positive messages emphasize truth, love, kindness, joy, and sacrifice over selfishness and greed. However, parents should be aware of the implied sexual content, intense violence, and pagan worldview, which may require discussion with younger viewers. The runtime of approximately 151-152 minutes may also be long for some children.
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