Abigail – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Abigail

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie2019

58%

WISE Score

Russian fantasy adventure where a girl discovers magic while searching for her father in a quarantined city—intriguing premise, middling execution.

6.2

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Abigail

movie

2019

58%

WISE Score

Russian fantasy adventure where a girl discovers magic while searching for her father in a quarantined city—intriguing premise, middling execution.

6.2

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Screenwise Verdict

Here's the deal: Abigail has all the ingredients of a solid family fantasy—plucky heroine, magical powers, father-daughter bond, dystopian mystery. But a 6.2 rating and virtually zero buzz suggests it doesn't quite deliver on that promise.

The Russian production means it's likely visually different from Disney/Pixar fare, which could be refreshing or could feel low-budget depending on your tolerance. The epidemic-and-closed-city premise is actually pretty prescient for 2019, but might feel uncomfortably familiar now.

Biggest issue? You probably can't find it easily, and even if you do, your kids might check out halfway through. It's not bad enough to avoid, but it's not good enough to seek out when there are dozens of better fantasy adventures readily available on Netflix or Disney+. If you stumble across it and your 9-year-old is in a fantasy phase, sure, give it a shot. But don't go out of your way.

Age Fit

Best for ages 8-14 who can handle themes of parental loss and disease without getting too spooked. The magical discovery angle appeals to middle-grade sensibilities, but teens will likely find it too slow and dated. Not compelling enough for adults unless you're really into obscure international fantasy.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

A story centered on a young girl's love for her father and her courage to defy authority for family is emotionally healthy. The themes of magic discovery and perseverance model determination and hope. However, the premise involves disease, parental separation at age six, and defying authorities, which adds some emotional weight. Without specific content details, the adventure/fantasy framing suggests generally positive tone.

Imaginative

The concept of a closed city hiding magical secrets and a protagonist discovering extraordinary abilities is classically imaginative. The mystery element and magical world-building invite curiosity and wonder. The fantasy genre typically encourages creative thinking about alternate realities and possibilities. Solid premise for sparking imagination, though execution quality is unknown.

Safe

Russian fantasy films can vary widely in intensity. The epidemic/disease premise and parental separation could be emotionally triggering for some children. Adventure/fantasy genres often include peril and conflict scenes. Without an MPAA rating or detailed content warnings, and given the mysterious disease and closed city dystopian elements, there's moderate concern about unexpected intense moments. The 6.165 TMDB rating suggests middling reception, which sometimes correlates with uneven content.

Enriching

Themes of courage, family bonds, and standing up against unjust authority have developmental value. Self-discovery of abilities can inspire confidence. However, without critical acclaim, notable awards, or strong audience ratings, it's unclear if the execution delivers meaningful takeaways beyond basic adventure tropes. The modest TMDB score (6.165) suggests it may not rise above generic fantasy entertainment.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Strong emotional hook: a daughter's quest to reunite with her sick father taps into universal themes of family and loyalty
Magic discovery narrative can inspire kids to think about their own hidden potential and abilities
Defying unjust authority models courage and critical thinking about rules that don't serve people
Fantasy world-building with a closed city and mysterious epidemic creates intrigue and mystery-solving opportunities

⚠

What to Watch For

The epidemic/disease premise and parental separation at age six could hit hard emotionally, especially post-2020
Russian fantasy films sometimes include darker or more intense imagery than typical American family fare—preview first if your kid is sensitive
Modest 6.2/10 rating suggests this might drag or feel uneven in pacing—could lose younger viewers' attention
Limited availability means you'll probably need to hunt for it or deal with subtitles/dubbing quality issues

Conversation Starters

"If you discovered you had a magical ability, what would you want it to be and how would you use it?"
"Abby went against the rules to find her dad. When do you think it's okay to break rules, and when is it not?"
"The city was closed because people were scared of disease. How do you think fear changes the way people act?"
"What would you do if someone you loved was taken away and you didn't know where they were?"

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