The film Wildwood has been causing a bit of a stir online, and not just because of the stunning visuals and groundbreaking multimedia artistry. Rather, it’s because a segment of parents decided to disregard the PG13 rating and take their children to see this stop-motion spectacle, not expecting some of the darker themes in the film. I was one of those parents, and I’d like to explain exactly why I am extremely happy that I took my son to see Wildwood.

Editor’s Note: The author has attempted to avoid spoilers, but does include some vague descriptions of events in the film.

The Plot

A young woman named Prue discovers a world of magic and fantasy hidden just outside the city limits of Portland, Oregon. Prue and her reluctant friend Curtis will face extreme danger, thrilling adventure, and the scourge of municipal bureaucracy in their quest to save her baby brother from a powerful sorceress driven mad by grief.

The Rating

Wildwood earned a PG-13 rating from the MPAA, and I understand why. One of the opening scenes in the film deals with suicide in a very fantastical way and, while not exactly graphic, it is definitely not subtle. Later in the story, there are some large-scale battles that display equally large-scale violence.

Though the PG-13 rating is warranted, that shouldn’t be the only thing to consider when deciding whether or not to take your child to see it. It’s true that the MPAA rating can be a valuable tool. However, sometimes it is exactly because of those “adult” themes that you should watch these movies with your children.

Can Kids Handle It?

One of the most important lessons that a parent can learn is that every child is different. So, when considering if your child can handle any film, regardless of rating or subject, it is your responsibility to judge whether your child has the ability to understand what they will see on screen.

For any parents who are unsure about Wildwood, I wrote a detailed description of ways to assess your child’s tolerance and prepare them for possible mature subjects when the film Beatlejuice Beatlejuice came out. Among other things, I evaluated my son’s ability to separate fiction from reality, explained what he could expect, and made sure he had snacks to mentally ground him.

“We respect that children are smart, sophisticated and can handle things that adults typically don’t think they can.”

Director, Travis Knight

Start the Conversation

The fact that the film Wildwood contains some delicate subjects, but is still packaged in such an accessible medium, gives parents a unique opportunity. In a 2016 interview with USA Today, Wildwood director Travis Knight said: “We respect that children are smart, sophisticated and can handle things that adults typically don’t think they can.” Despite what many think, this holds true even for subjects such as depression, grief, and suicide.

These subjects are not exclusive to adults, and stories like Wildwood give parents the opportunity to introduce these harsh concepts in a safe setting. More often than not, it is the parents who aren’t ready to talk about these subjects with their children, but it can be extremely important to try before they are confronted with them in the real world.

The temptation to protect our children from anything that might disturb them is a strong one. We always want to do what’s best for them, but sometimes what’s best for them is uncomfortable for us. We must be able to speak with our kids about difficult realities to prepare them for life. In this regard, I believe Laika Studios has done parents a great service in Wildwood.