Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken
Detailed parental analysis
Ruby, the Teenage Kraken is a family animated film with a colourful and adventurous atmosphere, tinged with adolescent humour and spectacular underwater action sequences. The plot follows a teenage girl who discovers she comes from a lineage of legendary Krakens and must learn to accept her powers whilst navigating between family expectations and a desire for belonging. The film is primarily aimed at children from 6-8 years old and pre-teens, with some elements that also resonate with parents.
Underlying Values
The film builds its central message around the idea that individuality is a strength to embrace rather than hide. It is a solid theme, well articulated and carried through Ruby's journey in a coherent manner. However, the narrative also conveys a heavily gendered representation of power: female Krakens are described as gigantic, radiant and all-powerful, whilst males are presented as frail and unimportant. This asymmetry is not questioned in the film; it is presented as a natural fact and a source of pride. This is an angle worth exploring with children, by asking them whether such a hierarchy would seem fair if the genders were reversed.
Parental and Family Portrayals
The mother-daughter relationship is the emotional heart of the film. Ruby's mother is overprotective to the point of having hidden fundamental aspects of her daughter's identity, which creates a major conflict. The narrative ultimately treats this overprotection as a sincere mistake born of fear, which is nuanced and honest. However, the film's overall dynamic places the parent in the position of an obstacle to the child's flourishing, an obstacle that must be circumvented for Ruby to realise her potential. Parents sensitive to parenthood being represented negatively may find this pattern repetitive. It is a useful starting point for discussing the difference between protection and control.
Violence
Action sequences are present and sometimes intense for family animation. The climax includes a prolonged fight between Ruby and an antagonistic mermaid, with blows, throws and a trident wound that temporarily incapacitates the protagonist. An adult character narrowly avoids drowning. These sequences may cause anxiety for young or sensitive children, especially as camera movements during underwater scenes are abrupt. Violence nonetheless remains within a clearly readable logic of good versus evil, without gore or gratuitous cruelty.
Language
The language register is generally clean, with a few mild insults such as 'dum-dum', 'stupid' or 'shut up'. The film also plays with a pun on a vulgar expression, circumvented by the filter 'mother flippin' mermaid', which will likely remain unnoticed by children and will mostly amuse adults. Nothing that warrants particular warning beyond the usual.
Social Themes
A few secondary characters are presented as same-sex couples, briefly and not developed in the main plot. Some parents have flagged this as a surprise. It is a discreet presence and not a major theme, but families wishing to prepare for conversation can simply anticipate the question if it arises.
Strengths
The film offers a visually inventive underwater adventure, with a likeable heroine whose journey of self-acceptance is rendered with genuine emotional sincerity. Ruby's panic attack sequence, handled carefully and without mockery, offers a rare and valuable entry point for discussing social anxiety with a child or pre-teen. The writing manages to balance humour and emotional stakes without slipping into easy sentimentality. The narrative gains depth thanks to the complexity of the mother-daughter relationship, treated with more nuance than one might expect from the genre.
Age recommendation and discussion points
The film is suitable from 7-8 years old for supervised children, and can be watched comfortably from 8-9 years old. Two angles deserve discussion after viewing: why did Ruby need to hide what she was, and would it have changed anything if she had revealed it earlier? And regarding the hierarchy between female and male Krakens, ask the child whether this distribution of power seems fair to them and why.
Synopsis
Ruby Gillman, a sweet and awkward high school student, discovers she's a direct descendant of the warrior kraken queens. The kraken are sworn to protect the oceans of the world against the vain, power-hungry mermaids. Destined to inherit the throne from her commanding grandmother, Ruby must use her newfound powers to protect those she loves most.
About this title
- Format
- Feature film
- Year
- 2023
- Runtime
- 1h 23m
- Countries
- United States of America
- Original language
- EN
- Directed by
- Kirk DeMicco
- Main cast
- Lana Condor, Toni Collette, Annie Murphy, Sam Richardson, Liza Koshy, Will Forte, Colman Domingo, Jaboukie Young-White, Blue Chapman, Ramona Young
- Studios
- DreamWorks Animation
Content barometer
- Violence2/5Moderate
- Fear2/5A few scenes
- Sexuality0/5None
- Language1/5Mild
- Narrative complexity1/5Accessible
- Adult themes0/5None
Values conveyed
- Courage
- Acceptance of difference
- Perseverance
- Autonomy
- friendship
- family
- identity