Ballerina — Family Discussion Guide
A guided conversation resource to help families explore the themes of Ballerina through a biblical lens.
Key Takeaways
Hard work and perseverance matter
Friendship and loyalty can be sacrificial
The story normalizes lying for access and advancement
It places identity and worth heavily on achievement and recognition rather than on being known by God
Discussion Questions
What is the difference between a good dream and making success the most important thing in life?
Why does Felicia’s lie seem helpful in the moment, and why is honesty still important?
How does the movie respond to hardship, and how is Christian hope in Jesus Christ different from just trying harder?
Guidance Notes
The surface content is fairly light, with mild peril, teasing, and a little deception. The bigger value for Christian families is the film’s message about dreams, hard work, and identity, which can open good conversations about truth and calling.
The film honors perseverance, friendship, and disciplined work, and those are healthy themes for families to notice. It also treats dream-chasing and social advancement as central goals, and the impersonation plot gives a child-friendly story a small but real truth-and-integrity tension. Parents may want to discuss how Christian hope in Christ shapes identity more deeply than talent, success, or being seen by others.
Orphan escape chase
Opera impersonation
Scripture References
Family Discussion Guide — Ballerina (2016)
Use this guide after watching Ballerina together to explore its themes through a biblical lens.
Key Takeaways
- Hard work and perseverance matter
- Friendship and loyalty can be sacrificial
- The story normalizes lying for access and advancement
- It places identity and worth heavily on achievement and recognition rather than on being known by God
Discussion Questions
- What is the difference between a good dream and making success the most important thing in life?
- Why does Felicia’s lie seem helpful in the moment, and why is honesty still important?
- How does the movie respond to hardship, and how is Christian hope in Jesus Christ different from just trying harder?
Guidance Notes
- The surface content is fairly light, with mild peril, teasing, and a little deception. The bigger value for Christian families is the film’s message about dreams, hard work, and identity, which can open good conversations about truth and calling.
- The film honors perseverance, friendship, and disciplined work, and those are healthy themes for families to notice. It also treats dream-chasing and social advancement as central goals, and the impersonation plot gives a child-friendly story a small but real truth-and-integrity tension. Parents may want to discuss how Christian hope in Christ shapes identity more deeply than talent, success, or being seen by others.
- Orphan escape chase
- Opera impersonation
Scripture to Explore Together
- Colossians 3:23-24
- Matthew 6:33
- Ephesians 4:25
- Proverbs 12:22
- Romans 15:13
- 2 Corinthians 4:16-18