The Ape Star
Apstjärnan
The Ape Star
Apstjärnan
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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
0/5
Simple
Adult themes
0/5
None
Expert review
This family animated film follows an orphan girl who deeply longs for a mother, in a warm and whimsical world that still carries genuine emotional vulnerability. The main sensitive material comes from themes of abandonment, fear of losing a new parent, and a few chase or confrontation scenes involving an intrusive adult who threatens the child s fragile sense of safety. Violence is limited and not graphic, mostly involving brief physical conflict, peril, and stressful situations rather than injury, while sadness and exclusion are likely to affect children more than the action itself. Overall, it remains gentler than many adventure films, yet its emotional stakes are stronger than those of a preschool title. For children who are especially sensitive to orphanage settings, adoption issues, or separation anxiety, co viewing is a good idea so parents can reassure them and talk through the feelings raised by the story.
Synopsis
The orphan Jonna is longing for a mother. One day, an old car stops outside the orphanage and out steps a gorilla that picks Jonna for adoption. It soon becomes clear that they have more things in common than they initially thought. When they start becoming a family, Tord from the local authorities shows up and threatens to send Jonna back to the orphanage.
Difficult scenes
The story begins with Jonna living in an orphanage and painfully waiting to be chosen by a family. This setup may trigger real sadness in young viewers, especially as the film makes clear how deeply she wants to be loved and how isolated she sometimes feels. The arrival of the gorilla mother is intentionally surprising and may unsettle children who expect a more realistic world. Even though the tone stays kind, the unusual visual contrast and the strangeness of this new parent figure can create questions or mild discomfort before the emotional bond becomes clear. A local authority figure later challenges this new family, creating several scenes of tension. His controlling and threatening behavior, along with the possibility that Jonna could be sent back to the orphanage, may feel upsetting for children who are sensitive to injustice or separation. Some scenes include chases, brief physical struggles, and moderate danger connected to protecting Jonna and her home. These moments are stylized and not graphic, but they can still feel stressful for younger viewers because the emotional stakes are so personal and immediate.
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 12m
- Countries
- Denmark, Norway, Sweden
- Original language
- SV
- Studios
- LEE Film, Mikrofilm, Nørlum, Film i Väst, SVT
Content barometer
Violence
2/5
Moderate
Fear
2/5
A few scenes
Sexuality
0/5
None
Language
0/5
None
Narrative complexity
0/5
Simple
Adult themes
0/5
None
Expert review
This family animated film follows an orphan girl who deeply longs for a mother, in a warm and whimsical world that still carries genuine emotional vulnerability. The main sensitive material comes from themes of abandonment, fear of losing a new parent, and a few chase or confrontation scenes involving an intrusive adult who threatens the child s fragile sense of safety. Violence is limited and not graphic, mostly involving brief physical conflict, peril, and stressful situations rather than injury, while sadness and exclusion are likely to affect children more than the action itself. Overall, it remains gentler than many adventure films, yet its emotional stakes are stronger than those of a preschool title. For children who are especially sensitive to orphanage settings, adoption issues, or separation anxiety, co viewing is a good idea so parents can reassure them and talk through the feelings raised by the story.
Synopsis
The orphan Jonna is longing for a mother. One day, an old car stops outside the orphanage and out steps a gorilla that picks Jonna for adoption. It soon becomes clear that they have more things in common than they initially thought. When they start becoming a family, Tord from the local authorities shows up and threatens to send Jonna back to the orphanage.
Difficult scenes
The story begins with Jonna living in an orphanage and painfully waiting to be chosen by a family. This setup may trigger real sadness in young viewers, especially as the film makes clear how deeply she wants to be loved and how isolated she sometimes feels. The arrival of the gorilla mother is intentionally surprising and may unsettle children who expect a more realistic world. Even though the tone stays kind, the unusual visual contrast and the strangeness of this new parent figure can create questions or mild discomfort before the emotional bond becomes clear. A local authority figure later challenges this new family, creating several scenes of tension. His controlling and threatening behavior, along with the possibility that Jonna could be sent back to the orphanage, may feel upsetting for children who are sensitive to injustice or separation. Some scenes include chases, brief physical struggles, and moderate danger connected to protecting Jonna and her home. These moments are stylized and not graphic, but they can still feel stressful for younger viewers because the emotional stakes are so personal and immediate.