Overview
Pixar’s latest release is a sci-fi adventure that follows a young boy named Elio in his thrilling expedition through space. Elio is obsessed with aliens, and his biggest dream is to be abducted by them. When his dreams come true, he finds himself on a planet where the aliens believe he’s an ambassador from Earth. As Elio stumbles through his first alien encounter, he makes new friends and gets into plenty of mischief along the way.
So is Elio a safe movie for kids to watch? Elio falls right in line with most other Pixar movies, but we have all the details here, so you know what to expect. Let’s begin!
Harmful Content ❗️
Parents should know that Elio is another Pixar classic of thrilling adventure, larger-than-life imagination, and deep, relatable human experiences. Elio experiences hardship in the very beginning when his parents pass away, and he’s sent to live with his Aunt Olga. She is a high-ranking military official who is frantically figuring out how to show up in both her job and her new role as Elio’s caretaker. Elio struggles to cope not only with this loss, but also with adjusting to a new life with his aunt, and with kids at school who bully him.
Language
There is no profanity in this movie, aside from some bullying and insulting language such as “stupid” and “crazy.”
Sex
This movie does not have any sexual content.
Violence
There are some intense and even life-threatening scenes as Elio adventures through alien worlds. The story includes alien warfare with Lord Grigon, who uses weapons and threats of violence to intimidate other aliens. This causes moments of peril and suspense throughout the movie that may be too much for young or sensitive viewers.
Positive Value 💫
Elio’s story is one of friendship, empathy, and self-acceptance. Elio experiences hardship not just in surviving outerspace, but in his close personal relationships. He struggles to connect with his aunt while he grieves for his parents, and he learns what it means to be a true friend when he meets Glordon, a young alien. He learns that what’s more important than running from difficult feelings is bravely facing them with the people who care about him.
In the end, Elio makes the courageous decision to leave his new friend Glordon and the aliens who so easily accepted him, because he knows he’s needed more on earth. In the midst of the action that will certainly entertain kids, it also brings up some deep and valuable lessons for kids to reflect on.
So, should my kid watch it?
Yes, Elio is safe for kids around 6 and up to watch. With very little harmful content to watch for and tons of positive themes, we feel this is a great pick for your family!
