The Wolf and the Lion
The Wolf and the Lion
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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
0/5
None
Narrative complexity
3/5
Complex
Adult themes
0/5
None
Expert review
The Wolf and the Lion is a live action family adventure built around the bond between a young woman and two wild animals raised together in a beautiful natural setting. The main sensitive material involves grief, separation, and animals in danger, along with a few scenes where adults capture, transport, or try to control the animals in ways that feel harsh, even though the film is not graphic. The intensity stays moderate because the story aims for emotion and accessible suspense rather than strong fear, but several moments may upset children who are very sensitive to distressed animals or unfair separation. A death is part of the opening context, and there is also an accident, chase related tension, and official intervention that keep some pressure on the story. For a child of 4, the film is likely too sad and tense despite its gentle heart, while many children around 7 and up can enjoy it better with an adult nearby to reassure them and talk through the animal welfare themes.
Synopsis
After her grandfather's death, 20-year-old Alma decides to go back to her childhood home - a little island in the heart of the majestic Canadian forest. Whilst there, she rescues two helpless cubs: a wolf and a lion. They forge an inseparable bond, but their world soon collapses as the forest ranger discovers the animals and takes them away. The two cub brothers must now embark on a treacherous journey across Canada to be reunited with one another and Alma once more.
Difficult scenes
The film begins with grief, as the main character returns home after her grandfather's death. This is not shown in a graphic or overwhelming way, but it immediately gives the story a more serious emotional tone that may affect children who are already sensitive to loss. Several scenes place the young animals in vulnerable situations, after a crash and during human intervention. Even though the presentation stays family friendly, seeing a lion cub and a wolf pup separated from their mother or threatened by adults can be upsetting for children who strongly empathize with animals. The mother wolf is chased by scientists and brought down with a tranquilizer dart. The scene is not bloody, but the idea of an animal being hunted and taken away by force can be distressing, especially because it leads to an important separation in the story. Later, one of the animals is sent toward circus life, and the film suggests harsh training methods. The direction remains restrained and some of the cruelty stays off screen, but the animal mistreatment context is clear and worth discussing with children before or after the movie.
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
- Feature film
- Year
- 2021
- Runtime
- 1h 39m
- Countries
- Canada, France
- Original language
- EN
- Directed by
- Gilles de Maistre
- Main cast
- Molly Kunz, Graham Greene, Charlie Carrick, Derek Johns, Rebecca Croll, Rhys Slack, Evan Buliung, Daniel Brochu, Victor Cornfoot, Paula Costain
- Studios
- Galatée Films, Mai Juin Productions, StudioCanal, Super Écran, SODEC, Canal+, Ciné+, Transfilm International, M6 Films, Sphere Films
Content barometer
Violence
2/5
Moderate
Fear
2/5
A few scenes
Sexuality
0/5
None
Language
0/5
None
Narrative complexity
3/5
Complex
Adult themes
0/5
None
Expert review
The Wolf and the Lion is a live action family adventure built around the bond between a young woman and two wild animals raised together in a beautiful natural setting. The main sensitive material involves grief, separation, and animals in danger, along with a few scenes where adults capture, transport, or try to control the animals in ways that feel harsh, even though the film is not graphic. The intensity stays moderate because the story aims for emotion and accessible suspense rather than strong fear, but several moments may upset children who are very sensitive to distressed animals or unfair separation. A death is part of the opening context, and there is also an accident, chase related tension, and official intervention that keep some pressure on the story. For a child of 4, the film is likely too sad and tense despite its gentle heart, while many children around 7 and up can enjoy it better with an adult nearby to reassure them and talk through the animal welfare themes.
Synopsis
After her grandfather's death, 20-year-old Alma decides to go back to her childhood home - a little island in the heart of the majestic Canadian forest. Whilst there, she rescues two helpless cubs: a wolf and a lion. They forge an inseparable bond, but their world soon collapses as the forest ranger discovers the animals and takes them away. The two cub brothers must now embark on a treacherous journey across Canada to be reunited with one another and Alma once more.
Difficult scenes
The film begins with grief, as the main character returns home after her grandfather's death. This is not shown in a graphic or overwhelming way, but it immediately gives the story a more serious emotional tone that may affect children who are already sensitive to loss. Several scenes place the young animals in vulnerable situations, after a crash and during human intervention. Even though the presentation stays family friendly, seeing a lion cub and a wolf pup separated from their mother or threatened by adults can be upsetting for children who strongly empathize with animals. The mother wolf is chased by scientists and brought down with a tranquilizer dart. The scene is not bloody, but the idea of an animal being hunted and taken away by force can be distressing, especially because it leads to an important separation in the story. Later, one of the animals is sent toward circus life, and the film suggests harsh training methods. The direction remains restrained and some of the cruelty stays off screen, but the animal mistreatment context is clear and worth discussing with children before or after the movie.