Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

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Screenwise Verdict

Look, this is a beautiful, emotionally sophisticated film that tackles real themes about life, death, and sacrifice. It's also a total emotional gut-punch that will leave you and your kids sobbing.

The Korean approach to children's storytelling is refreshingly honest—life isn't always happy, parents sacrifice everything, and sometimes the circle of life is brutal. That's valuable exposure, especially if your kids only know Disney endings where everyone lives happily ever after.

But let's be real: this is HEAVY. Multiple deaths, a protagonist who literally sacrifices herself to a predator at the end, and a tone that's more 'contemplative sadness' than 'fun adventure.' The 2011 pacing also feels slower than what modern kids expect.

If you have a mature 8-10 year old who's ready for big conversations about death and loss, this could be a meaningful watch. But if your kid is sensitive, younger, or you're looking for something fun and uplifting, hard pass. This is the kind of movie film studies professors love and second graders have nightmares about.

Age Fit

Common Sense Media's 8+ rating feels right—younger kids will likely be traumatized by the deaths and ending. Best for mature 8-12 year olds who can handle emotional complexity and sad endings. Teens might appreciate it, but it's not 'cool' enough to appeal broadly to that age group.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

68

A story about maternal love, sacrifice, and finding freedom has emotionally healthy themes at its core. However, this Korean animated film is known for being surprisingly dark and emotionally intense for a children's movie—characters die, there's predator violence, and the ending is genuinely heartbreaking. It models sacrifice and perseverance, but the emotional weight is heavy and may be overwhelming for younger viewers. The pacing is contemplative rather than chaotic, but the tone skews melancholic.

Imaginative

75

Based on a bestselling Korean novel, the premise of a hen raising a duckling and venturing into the wild is genuinely original and creative. The natural world setting invites curiosity about animal behavior and ecosystems. The anthropomorphized animals navigate real challenges (predators, survival, identity) in ways that spark imagination about nature and belonging. However, it's more narrative-driven than interactive or creativity-prompting.

Safe

55

This is where things get tricky. While there's no inappropriate content for kids (no sex, nudity, or profanity), the film contains significant animal death, predator attacks (weasels killing birds), and an ending that is genuinely traumatic—Leafie sacrifices herself to the weasel to save her son. Multiple reviews note parents and children crying. The violence isn't gory but it's real and emotionally devastating. Common Sense Media rates it 8+, which feels right, but younger kids will likely be upset. This isn't 'surprise' content per se (it's about survival in the wild), but the emotional intensity is higher than most Western animated films marketed to kids.

Enriching

78

This film tackles profound themes: what makes a family, maternal sacrifice, identity (the duck raised by a hen), prejudice (the farm vs. wild animals), and the circle of life. It's emotionally sophisticated and offers real opportunities for discussing death, loss, and unconditional love. The Korean cultural perspective on storytelling—embracing sadness and sacrifice rather than guaranteed happy endings—is enriching exposure for Western audiences. However, the entertainment factor is dampened by the heavy emotional weight.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Tackles profound themes like maternal love, sacrifice, identity, and what makes a family with genuine emotional depth
Offers a different cultural perspective on storytelling—Korean animation that doesn't shy away from real sadness and loss
Based on a beloved million-copy bestseller, with beautiful animation of the natural world
Creates opportunities for meaningful conversations about death, the circle of life, and unconditional love
Solid ratings across platforms (7.0 IMDb, 76% RT audience) suggest it resonates with viewers who appreciate emotional storytelling

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What to Watch For

Multiple character deaths including the protagonist—this ending will wreck you and your kids, full stop
Predator violence (weasels attacking birds) that's not gory but is real and scary for young viewers
The overall tone is melancholic and heavy; this isn't a fun Saturday morning watch
Pacing may feel slow compared to modern animated films—it's contemplative and serious
Have tissues ready and be prepared for big feelings and potentially nightmares in sensitive kids

Conversation Starters

"Leafie wasn't the duckling's biological mom, but she loved him like one. What do you think makes someone a 'real' parent?"
"The ending is really sad. Why do you think the filmmaker chose to end the story that way instead of making everyone safe?"
"Leafie gave up everything to protect her son. Can you think of times when parents make sacrifices for their kids?"
"The farm animals treated Leafie differently because she wanted something different. Have you ever felt left out for being different?"

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Leafie, a Hen Into the Wild