Movie / 2020
Onward
Use caution
A fantasy quest about brotherhood, grief, and appreciating family. The moral centre of Onward is strongest when it rewards brotherhood and gratitude rather than selfishness, cruelty, or arrogance.
AU
PG
US
PG
UK
U
Global
Family guidance
Content Breakdown
Magic is central, with peril and grief themes needing Islamic context.
Nudity, sex, romance
Score 2/5
Occasional romantic interest or affection.
Scene and content evidence
- Onward: The relevant moments are brief, stylised, or framed in a way parents can discuss easily.
- Nudity, sex, romance: Occasional romantic interest or affection.
- Starter evidence only: replace this with exact scene notes after a human reviewer watches the title.
Violence and fear
Score 3/5
Fantasy battles, threat, injury, or scary creatures are recurring.
Scene and content evidence
- Onward: This concern recurs enough that families should expect to discuss it before or after viewing.
- Violence and fear: Fantasy battles, threat, injury, or scary creatures are recurring.
- Starter evidence only: replace this with exact scene notes after a human reviewer watches the title.
Drugs, alcohol, smoking
Score 1/5
Substance content is not a major concern.
Scene and content evidence
- Onward: This category is low because the title does not rely on this material for entertainment.
- Drugs, alcohol, smoking: Substance content is not a major concern.
- Starter evidence only: replace this with exact scene notes after a human reviewer watches the title.
Language
Score 2/5
Mild language or insults may appear.
Scene and content evidence
- Onward: The relevant moments are brief, stylised, or framed in a way parents can discuss easily.
- Language: Mild language or insults may appear.
- Starter evidence only: replace this with exact scene notes after a human reviewer watches the title.
Moral Summary
A fantasy quest about brotherhood, grief, and appreciating family. The moral centre of Onward is strongest when it rewards brotherhood and gratitude rather than selfishness, cruelty, or arrogance.
From an Islamic family lens, the useful parts are the moments that open conversation about brotherhood, gratitude, grief. Parents can ask whether the characters show adab, honesty, modesty, justice, and responsibility, or whether the story normalises behaviour that should be challenged.
The main caution is that the movie may still include elements that need guidance: Magic is central, with peril and grief themes needing Islamic context. Treat this starter review as a map for discussion, not as a replacement for parent judgement.
Islamic Values Reflection
Useful family discussion themes include brotherhood, gratitude, grief. Add exact Qur'an, Hadith, Sunnah, or Sahabah references only after editorial approval.
brotherhood
draftStarter theme only. Add exact Qur'an, Hadith, Sunnah, or Sahabah references after human review.
gratitude
draftStarter theme only. Add exact Qur'an, Hadith, Sunnah, or Sahabah references after human review.
Positives and Parent Talking Points
brotherhood
- Ask where the story showed brotherhood clearly.
- Compare the character's choice with Islamic adab and family expectations.
- Invite children to name one practical way to act on this value this week.
gratitude
- Ask where the story showed gratitude clearly.
- Compare the character's choice with Islamic adab and family expectations.
- Invite children to name one practical way to act on this value this week.
grief
- Ask where the story showed grief clearly.
- Compare the character's choice with Islamic adab and family expectations.
- Invite children to name one practical way to act on this value this week.
Family Discussion
Which character best showed brotherhood?
Where did the story conflict with Islamic adab or family expectations?
What would you discuss before recommending this to a younger viewer?