My Father's Dragon
My Father's Dragon
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Watch-outs
What this film brings
Content barometer
Violence
2/5
Moderate
Fear
2/5
A few scenes
Sexuality
0/5
None
Language
1/5
Mild
Narrative complexity
1/5
Accessible
Adult themes
0/5
None
Expert review
This animated fantasy follows a boy who runs away from a difficult family situation and travels to an island of talking animals, with a warm visual style that is often mixed with urgency and uncertainty. The main sensitive elements are separation from his mother, financial hardship, repeated arguments, chase scenes with threatening animals, a strong sense of danger as the island may sink, and a clear mention of death alongside several sad moments. The film stays stylized and non graphic, with no mature content, but the emotional tension returns regularly and some younger children may be unsettled by shouting, angry characters, and the fear of losing a loved one or a safe home. It feels gentler than darker adventure films for older kids, yet it still asks for some emotional readiness. Parents may want to watch along and help children talk about fear, frustration, and the story's focus on friendship, trust, and bravery.
Synopsis
Struggling to cope after a move to the city with his mother, Elmer runs away in search of Wild Island and a young dragon who waits to be rescued. Elmer’s adventures introduce him to ferocious beasts, a mysterious island and the friendship of a lifetime.
Difficult scenes
The opening may already affect sensitive children, because Elmer and his mother lose their shop and have to leave their old life behind for a city where they struggle to make ends meet. That sense of hardship, along with Elmer's frustration and his mother's exhaustion, creates a realistic sadness that can stand out even more than the action scenes. When Elmer runs away, he ends up alone in an unfamiliar place and then travels to a strange island where danger is mentioned again and again. Several animals act threatening or intimidating, there are chase scenes, verbal confrontations, and a repeated feeling that time is running out, which may unsettle younger viewers even though the style remains cartoonlike. Boris the dragon is lovable, but he is also vulnerable because he is frightened, injured, and burdened with a task that feels too big for him. Seeing such an important character in distress, unable to do what others expect from him, may create worry and strong empathy in children. The story also includes an explicit mention of death when a character the heroes hoped to meet is already gone. The moment is not graphic, but it adds disappointment and emotional weight, while reinforcing the idea that adults or protective figures cannot always solve everything.
Where to watch
No verified platform for the US market yet. We keep this section updated as availability changes.
About this title
- Format
- Feature film
- Year
- 2022
- Runtime
- 1h 39m
- Countries
- Ireland, United States of America
- Original language
- EN
- Directed by
- Nora Twomey
- Main cast
- Jacob Tremblay, Golshifteh Farahani, Gaten Matarazzo, Dianne Wiest, Rita Moreno, Chris O'Dowd, Judy Greer, Alan Cumming, Yara Shahidi, Jackie Earle Haley
- Studios
- Cartoon Saloon, Mockingbird Pictures, Parallel Films, Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland
Content barometer
Violence
2/5
Moderate
Fear
2/5
A few scenes
Sexuality
0/5
None
Language
1/5
Mild
Narrative complexity
1/5
Accessible
Adult themes
0/5
None
Expert review
This animated fantasy follows a boy who runs away from a difficult family situation and travels to an island of talking animals, with a warm visual style that is often mixed with urgency and uncertainty. The main sensitive elements are separation from his mother, financial hardship, repeated arguments, chase scenes with threatening animals, a strong sense of danger as the island may sink, and a clear mention of death alongside several sad moments. The film stays stylized and non graphic, with no mature content, but the emotional tension returns regularly and some younger children may be unsettled by shouting, angry characters, and the fear of losing a loved one or a safe home. It feels gentler than darker adventure films for older kids, yet it still asks for some emotional readiness. Parents may want to watch along and help children talk about fear, frustration, and the story's focus on friendship, trust, and bravery.
Synopsis
Struggling to cope after a move to the city with his mother, Elmer runs away in search of Wild Island and a young dragon who waits to be rescued. Elmer’s adventures introduce him to ferocious beasts, a mysterious island and the friendship of a lifetime.
Difficult scenes
The opening may already affect sensitive children, because Elmer and his mother lose their shop and have to leave their old life behind for a city where they struggle to make ends meet. That sense of hardship, along with Elmer's frustration and his mother's exhaustion, creates a realistic sadness that can stand out even more than the action scenes. When Elmer runs away, he ends up alone in an unfamiliar place and then travels to a strange island where danger is mentioned again and again. Several animals act threatening or intimidating, there are chase scenes, verbal confrontations, and a repeated feeling that time is running out, which may unsettle younger viewers even though the style remains cartoonlike. Boris the dragon is lovable, but he is also vulnerable because he is frightened, injured, and burdened with a task that feels too big for him. Seeing such an important character in distress, unable to do what others expect from him, may create worry and strong empathy in children. The story also includes an explicit mention of death when a character the heroes hoped to meet is already gone. The moment is not graphic, but it adds disappointment and emotional weight, while reinforcing the idea that adults or protective figures cannot always solve everything.