Bao
Bao
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Watch-outs
What this film brings
Content barometer
Violence
1/5
Mild
Fear
1/5
Mild
Sexuality
0/5
None
Language
0/5
None
Narrative complexity
0/5
Simple
Adult themes
0/5
None
Expert review
Bao is a 2018 Pixar animated short film directed by Domee Shi, which tenderly and poetically explores the relationship between a Chinese-Canadian mother and her child through a dreamlike and warm metaphor. Although visually accessible and colorful, the story addresses emotionally complex themes such as empty nest syndrome, overprotective parenting, separation, and the pain of letting go, themes that go well beyond the understanding of young children. A central scene may surprise or disturb younger viewers: in a moment of desperation, the mother swallows her little bao to prevent him from leaving, a symbolic image that is nonetheless visually unsettling and may cause confusion or distress in children under 7 or 8. Parents can support the viewing experience by explaining that this story is about love that struggles to let go, and that the bao metaphor represents the mother-child bond, a rich conversation that will resonate much more with school-age children or preteens.
Synopsis
An aging Chinese mother suffering from empty nest syndrome gets another chance at motherhood when one of her dumplings springs to life as a lively, giggly dumpling boy.
Difficult scenes
The scene in which the mother swallows her little bao in one swift motion, in a desperate attempt to prevent him from leaving home with his fiancée, is the most unsettling sequence in the short film. Although symbolic and not realistic, it is depicted without ambiguity and may cause genuine confusion, fear, or disgust in young children. A child under 7 is likely to take this image literally and be shocked by it. Throughout the story, the relationship between the mother and her bao gradually deteriorates through arguments, door-slamming, and emotional distancing. These family tensions, while handled with care, can emotionally resonate for sensitive children or those from complex family backgrounds, reflecting a potentially anxiety-inducing image of parent-child conflict. The overall melancholic tone of the short, particularly the scenes in which the mother cries alone after swallowing the bao and realizes what she has done, may be emotionally difficult for very young children who do not yet have the emotional tools to interpret this kind of deep adult sadness.
Where to watch
No verified platform for the US market yet. We keep this section updated as availability changes.
Availability checked on Apr 01, 2026
About this title
- Format
- Short film
- Year
- 2018
- Runtime
- 8m
- Countries
- United States of America
- Original language
- EN
- Directed by
- Domee Shi
- Main cast
- Daniel Kailin, Sindy Lau, Sharmaine Yeoh, Tim Zhang
- Studios
- Pixar
Content barometer
Violence
1/5
Mild
Fear
1/5
Mild
Sexuality
0/5
None
Language
0/5
None
Narrative complexity
0/5
Simple
Adult themes
0/5
None
Expert review
Bao is a 2018 Pixar animated short film directed by Domee Shi, which tenderly and poetically explores the relationship between a Chinese-Canadian mother and her child through a dreamlike and warm metaphor. Although visually accessible and colorful, the story addresses emotionally complex themes such as empty nest syndrome, overprotective parenting, separation, and the pain of letting go, themes that go well beyond the understanding of young children. A central scene may surprise or disturb younger viewers: in a moment of desperation, the mother swallows her little bao to prevent him from leaving, a symbolic image that is nonetheless visually unsettling and may cause confusion or distress in children under 7 or 8. Parents can support the viewing experience by explaining that this story is about love that struggles to let go, and that the bao metaphor represents the mother-child bond, a rich conversation that will resonate much more with school-age children or preteens.
Synopsis
An aging Chinese mother suffering from empty nest syndrome gets another chance at motherhood when one of her dumplings springs to life as a lively, giggly dumpling boy.
Difficult scenes
The scene in which the mother swallows her little bao in one swift motion, in a desperate attempt to prevent him from leaving home with his fiancée, is the most unsettling sequence in the short film. Although symbolic and not realistic, it is depicted without ambiguity and may cause genuine confusion, fear, or disgust in young children. A child under 7 is likely to take this image literally and be shocked by it. Throughout the story, the relationship between the mother and her bao gradually deteriorates through arguments, door-slamming, and emotional distancing. These family tensions, while handled with care, can emotionally resonate for sensitive children or those from complex family backgrounds, reflecting a potentially anxiety-inducing image of parent-child conflict. The overall melancholic tone of the short, particularly the scenes in which the mother cries alone after swallowing the bao and realizes what she has done, may be emotionally difficult for very young children who do not yet have the emotional tools to interpret this kind of deep adult sadness.