The Spiderwick Chronicles
The Spiderwick Chronicles
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Watch-outs
What this film brings
Content barometer
Violence
3/5
Notable
Fear
3/5
Notable tension
Sexuality
0/5
None
Language
1/5
Mild
Narrative complexity
3/5
Complex
Adult themes
0/5
None
Expert review
The Spiderwick Chronicles is a family fantasy film that immerses three children in a secret world populated by magical creatures, some benevolent and some dangerous, within an old mysterious estate. The film features several notable sensitive elements: threatening creatures such as goblins, a shapeshifting ogre, and a brownie that turns hostile, repeated chase sequences and kidnappings, as well as an emotional undercurrent tied to the parents' divorce and the father's absence. These elements recur frequently throughout the story, particularly the goblin attack sequences, the confrontation with Mulgarath, and several moments where the children face credible mortal danger, giving the film a dark and at times oppressive atmosphere for younger viewers. Parents are advised to watch this film alongside children under 10 to help them process moments of tension, and to be ready to discuss the themes of divorce and parental absence, which may resonate differently depending on the child's personal experience.
Synopsis
Upon moving into the run-down Spiderwick Estate with their mother, twin brothers Jared and Simon Grace, along with their sister Mallory, find themselves pulled into an alternate world full of faeries and other creatures.
Difficult scenes
Simon is kidnapped by a group of goblins led by Redcap and taken to their campsite, where he is confronted by Mulgarath disguised as an old man: this swift and aggressive abduction scene, featuring ugly and violent creatures acting as a group, may strongly distress young children who are sensitive to themes of separation and captivity. Jared and Mallory are chased through an underground tunnel by a mole troll sent by Redcap: the creature is depicted as massive and relentless, and the sequence ends with its sudden death when it is struck by an oncoming truck, an abrupt on-screen death that may startle younger viewers. Thimbletack, the initially friendly brownie, turns hostile and aggressive when provoked, attacking the children and wreaking havoc in the house: this reversal of a character first presented as an ally can be unsettling for young children, blurring the line between friend and threat. Goblins attack Jared and Mallory during their visit to their great-aunt Lucinda in the psychiatric hospital, tearing pages from the book through the window: the violence of this scene in a setting associated with vulnerability and illness, combined with the psychiatric institution itself, may generate anxiety in some children. Jared learns that his father, whom he has been trying to reach throughout the film, has moved on to a new life with another woman: this emotionally charged revelation, delivered bluntly by his sister Mallory, directly touches on feelings of abandonment and may resonate painfully with children from separated families.
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
- 2008
- Runtime
- 1h 37m
- Countries
- United States of America
- Original language
- EN
- Directed by
- Mark Waters
- Main cast
- Freddie Highmore, Sarah Bolger, David Strathairn, Mary-Louise Parker, Nick Nolte, Joan Plowright, Andrew McCarthy, Seth Rogen, Martin Short, Jordy Benattar
- Studios
- Paramount Pictures, The Kennedy/Marshall Company, Nickelodeon Movies
Content barometer
Violence
3/5
Notable
Fear
3/5
Notable tension
Sexuality
0/5
None
Language
1/5
Mild
Narrative complexity
3/5
Complex
Adult themes
0/5
None
Expert review
The Spiderwick Chronicles is a family fantasy film that immerses three children in a secret world populated by magical creatures, some benevolent and some dangerous, within an old mysterious estate. The film features several notable sensitive elements: threatening creatures such as goblins, a shapeshifting ogre, and a brownie that turns hostile, repeated chase sequences and kidnappings, as well as an emotional undercurrent tied to the parents' divorce and the father's absence. These elements recur frequently throughout the story, particularly the goblin attack sequences, the confrontation with Mulgarath, and several moments where the children face credible mortal danger, giving the film a dark and at times oppressive atmosphere for younger viewers. Parents are advised to watch this film alongside children under 10 to help them process moments of tension, and to be ready to discuss the themes of divorce and parental absence, which may resonate differently depending on the child's personal experience.
Synopsis
Upon moving into the run-down Spiderwick Estate with their mother, twin brothers Jared and Simon Grace, along with their sister Mallory, find themselves pulled into an alternate world full of faeries and other creatures.
Difficult scenes
Simon is kidnapped by a group of goblins led by Redcap and taken to their campsite, where he is confronted by Mulgarath disguised as an old man: this swift and aggressive abduction scene, featuring ugly and violent creatures acting as a group, may strongly distress young children who are sensitive to themes of separation and captivity. Jared and Mallory are chased through an underground tunnel by a mole troll sent by Redcap: the creature is depicted as massive and relentless, and the sequence ends with its sudden death when it is struck by an oncoming truck, an abrupt on-screen death that may startle younger viewers. Thimbletack, the initially friendly brownie, turns hostile and aggressive when provoked, attacking the children and wreaking havoc in the house: this reversal of a character first presented as an ally can be unsettling for young children, blurring the line between friend and threat. Goblins attack Jared and Mallory during their visit to their great-aunt Lucinda in the psychiatric hospital, tearing pages from the book through the window: the violence of this scene in a setting associated with vulnerability and illness, combined with the psychiatric institution itself, may generate anxiety in some children. Jared learns that his father, whom he has been trying to reach throughout the film, has moved on to a new life with another woman: this emotionally charged revelation, delivered bluntly by his sister Mallory, directly touches on feelings of abandonment and may resonate painfully with children from separated families.