Can My Child Watch Red One?

Red One has been cross-rated PG, meaning parental guidance is recommended for young viewers, and it has warnings for violence and coarse language. Sometimes unrestricted ratings can make it challenging to decide if it’s the right fit for your tamariki. While some children are all about the action, others might find certain scenes scary or upsetting. Read on to see if this holiday adventure aligns with your whānau's preferences, and for tips on how to discuss any challenging moments with your tamariki to make the experience more enjoyable.

What’s Red One about?

When a villain snatches Santa Claus from the North Pole, an E.L.F. (Extremely Large and Formidable) agent teams up with the world’s top tracker to bring him back and save Christmas.

Key themes

• The film features violence such as high-speed chases, monster attacks, and fights. While there’s no blood, the action could be overwhelming for younger children or those sensitive to intense scenes.
• The movie includes dark fantasy characters like an evil witch, a giant ogre, and creepy monsters, which could be frightening for children afraid of supernatural or spooky elements.
• Coarse language is used in the film, with words like “sh*t,” “a*shole,”  “bullsh*t,” and the almost f word (before it cuts off) appearing, as well as mild swearing like “damn” and “hell.”
• There’s also a brief low-level sexual reference when a character checks out a woman in a bikini.

For a more detailed look at the film's content, check out our breakdown for Red One.

Things to think about

First, consider whether the film's content is suitable for your child's age: While some younger kids may enjoy action-packed Christmas stories, Red One has scenes that could be too intense for tamariki who are sensitive to creepy characters or dark themes. The movie includes fantasy violence, with monsters including an evil witch, a giant ogre with tentacles, ram-like demigod, a headless horseman, a sinister jack-o-lantern, living gargoyles, a cyclops, and giant snowmen. For some children, images like a snowman being melted on a barbeque or characters fighting scary creatures could stick in their minds. An evil witch possesses ‘naughty’ people and traps them in snow globes as punishment. When characters are possessed their eyes roll back, turning a glowing blue, which may be unsettling for tamariki. This movie may not be the best pick for very young viewers given the level of action and intense scenes.

Be mindful of your child's preferences: It’s also helpful to think about what they usually enjoy watching. If they’re into action and adventure movies like Marvel, or slightly spooky films like Harry Potter, they might be comfortable with the type of fantasy violence in Red One. Talking with them about the specific scenes can help gauge their comfort level. On the other hand, if they prefer lighter, feel-good movies or animated classics, Red One might feel a bit overwhelming. It's always best to check in with them about any movie before starting it. Their feelings about a movie matter, so spoilers aren’t a big deal if it helps avoid genuine fear or discomfort.

Have a plan: If you decide to watch the movie, it’s a good idea to have a plan for checking in with your child afterwards. Here are some questions to help start the conversation:

• What did you think about the scary parts? Were they fun, or a little too much for you?
• How did the characters handle the challenges or spooky surprises? What would you have done?
• Did anything in the movie remind you of something you’ve seen or experienced before?

For older tamariki or rangatahi, you can go a bit deeper:

• How did the more intense scenes make you feel? Do you think they were important for the story?
• Did the movie balance its darker themes with the overall message?
• Was there anything that surprised you or made you think differently about certain situations or emotions?

This not only makes for a fun discussion but also helps tamariki think critically about what they watched. Plus, it gives you a better understanding of how they’re processing different types of content.

If Red One is too much for your child: If your child seems like they're struggling with the film, it’s completely okay to take breaks or leave the theatre. Remember, no movie is worth causing distress, and it will likely be available on streaming services later! Don’t forget, sound plays a big role too. It’s not only the visuals that can be intense; sudden noises and some music might be overwhelming. If they’re startled by these sounds, suggest they cover their ears, this simple trick can make a big difference. And afterward, keep the conversation going to check in on how they’re feeling, using the questions above as a helpful guide to spark the discussion.

Red One could be a fun, action-filled choice for families with older tamariki, especially those who enjoy fantasy adventures. However, its dark fantasy elements, intense action, and language make it less suitable for very young viewers. It’s important to gauge your child’s preferences, sensitivities, and how they handle more intense content before pressing play.

Further reading:

• Red One - Content breakdown
• Navigating Early Horror Experiences: Don’t Let Nostalgia Get in the Way of Good Choices! - Blog