Is Chasing Shadows appropriate for younger kids under 8?

Content-wise, it is 100% clean with zero violence, language, or mature themes. However, young kids might find the documentary format and interview segments slow unless they are already big fans of space.

How do I make sure I rent the right Chasing Shadows film?

Search specifically for the 2015 documentary directed by Nelson Quan. Avoid the 2014 British TV crime miniseries, which covers dark themes unsuitable for family viewing.

Is this documentary heavily academic or light entertainment?

It strikes a good balance. While astrophysicists explain eclipse phenomena, most of the focus remains on human stories, travel adventures, and the excitement of witnessing totality.

Where was Chasing Shadows filmed?

The film follows eclipse-chasing expeditions to remote locations around the world, including China, Australia, Norway, and Ethiopia.

Chasing Shadows – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Chasing Shadows

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie2015

86%

WISE Score

7.8

IMDb

A globe-trotting documentary about the subculture of eclipse chasers tracking minutes of total cosmic darkness.

7.8/10

→

Chasing Shadows

movie

NR, 2015

86%

WISE Score

7.8

IMDb

A globe-trotting documentary about the subculture of eclipse chasers tracking minutes of total cosmic darkness.

7.8

Jump to

Also rated on

7.8/10

View →

Where to Watch

Loading streaming options...

Where-to-watch data byJustWatch

Screenwise Verdict

If your kid got hooked on stargazing after seeing a local eclipse, Chasing Shadows captures the strange, magnetic obsession of people who dedicate their lives to standing in the moon's shadow.

It is a straight-shooting documentary following dedicated eclipse chasers—from veteran astrophysicists to amateur enthusiasts—as they trek to remote regions in China, Australia, and Ethiopia. The enthusiasm of the subjects is contagious, and the footage of totality delivers genuine awe.

Just make sure you rent the right title on your video store app: you want Nelson Quan's 2015 documentary, not the 2014 British serial killer drama that shares the exact same title.

Age Fit

Great for kids ages 8 and up who like space, nature, or travel. Content is completely clean for younger children, but the documentary interviewing style requires some viewer patience.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Captures genuine scientific awe, global travel, and a shared passion for celestial wonders without any negative tropes or cynicism.

Imaginative

Sparks fascination with orbital mechanics, space, and the sheer scale of the solar system.

Safe

Extremely safe documentary content focused on astronomy, nature, and travel with zero mature content risks.

Enriching

Delivers real astronomy concepts while highlighting human dedication, scientific curiosity, and global exploration.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Cosmic awe: Showcases spectacular visuals of total solar eclipses and the solar corona from remote corners of the globe.
Contagious passion: Highlights scientists and hobbyists like NASA's Fred Espenak who plan years around minutes of darkness.
Accessible science: Teaches basic astronomy and planetary alignment without feeling like a high school lecture.

⚠

What to Watch For

Documentary pacing: Kids used to fast-paced animation may find talking-head interviews and travel logistics slow.
Name mix-up: Ensure you select the 2015 Nelson Quan documentary rather than the gritty 2014 UK crime series sharing the exact same title.

Conversation Starters

"Why do you think people travel thousands of miles just to stand in shadow for two minutes?"
"Where in the world would you go if you could chase a total eclipse?"
"How did seeing totality change how the people in the film view the sun?"

Deep Dive

Standing in the Moon's Shadow

There are two kinds of people: those who think a solar eclipse is a neat five-minute break from work, and those who spend three years planning a trip to an African desert just to stand in darkness for 120 seconds. Chasing Shadows focuses squarely on the second group, and their dedication is fascinating to watch.

Director Nelson Quan follows prominent figures in the eclipse-chasing subculture, including NASA astrophysicist Fred Espenak (affectionately dubbed 'Mr. Eclipse'). The film translates why people get hooked: the dramatic drop in temperature, the sudden silence of local wildlife, and the breathtaking sight of the solar corona appearing in midday darkness.

How to Use It with Kids

While it moves at a steady documentary pace, the film works as a weekend family watch for an 8-to-12-year-old curious about space or photography. If you have a kid interested in science, pair the movie with a physical globe and a flashlight afterward so they can map out how the moon's umbra falls across Earth.

What Parents Ask

Ask Anything

Get a personalized guide on any topic

Related Guides

From Bunny Slopes to Big Screens: The Best Non-Fiction Ski Movies for Kids

Spark a love for the outdoors with inspiring real-life stories of pro athletes, tiny rippers, and mountain adventures for the whole family.

Writing about Chasing Shadows? Put this WISE score on your site