Roald Dahl's The Witches — Family Discussion Guide
A guided conversation resource to help families explore the themes of Roald Dahl's The Witches through a biblical lens.
Key Takeaways
A loving grandmother’s care reflects the goodness of family protection and sacrificial love.
Courage in the face of evil is treated as admirable rather than foolish.
The story’s supernatural world is built around witches, curses, and magical power outside the hope and authority of Jesus Christ.
A Christian parent may want to discuss how Scripture treats occult power as spiritually dangerous, not playful or morally neutral.
Discussion Questions
What made the witches feel scary, and what does real courage look like when we are afraid?
How does this story treat magic and witchcraft, and how is that different from what God teaches?
How did Luke’s grandmother care for him, and what does that show about sacrificial love?
How can we tell the difference between what is merely exciting in a story and what is actually evil?
Guidance Notes
This adaptation leans into creepy fantasy, child-endangerment, and unsettling witch imagery more than many families expect from a PG title. The main concern is not sexual content or harsh language, but the film’s frightening tone, occult framework, and scenes that may trouble younger or sensitive children.
The story presents evil clearly through witches who prey on children, so it does not glamorize darkness in a simple way. At the same time, it builds its conflict around witchcraft, curses, and supernatural power outside any Christian frame, which can normalize occult fantasy as part of the adventure. The film also values courage, family love, and sacrificial care. Parents may want to discuss the difference between fictional magic and the Bible’s warnings about seeking spiritual power apart from God, while pointing children to Christ as the true answer to fear and evil.
Scary witch imagery
Children in peril
Scripture References
Family Discussion Guide — Roald Dahl’s The Witches (2020)
Use this guide after watching Roald Dahl’s The Witches together to explore its themes through a biblical lens.
Key Takeaways
- A loving grandmother’s care reflects the goodness of family protection and sacrificial love.
- Courage in the face of evil is treated as admirable rather than foolish.
- The story’s supernatural world is built around witches, curses, and magical power outside the hope and authority of Jesus Christ.
- A Christian parent may want to discuss how Scripture treats occult power as spiritually dangerous, not playful or morally neutral.
Discussion Questions
- What made the witches feel scary, and what does real courage look like when we are afraid?
- How does this story treat magic and witchcraft, and how is that different from what God teaches?
- How did Luke’s grandmother care for him, and what does that show about sacrificial love?
- How can we tell the difference between what is merely exciting in a story and what is actually evil?
Guidance Notes
- This adaptation leans into creepy fantasy, child-endangerment, and unsettling witch imagery more than many families expect from a PG title. The main concern is not sexual content or harsh language, but the film’s frightening tone, occult framework, and scenes that may trouble younger or sensitive children.
- The story presents evil clearly through witches who prey on children, so it does not glamorize darkness in a simple way. At the same time, it builds its conflict around witchcraft, curses, and supernatural power outside any Christian frame, which can normalize occult fantasy as part of the adventure. The film also values courage, family love, and sacrificial care. Parents may want to discuss the difference between fictional magic and the Bible’s warnings about seeking spiritual power apart from God, while pointing children to Christ as the true answer to fear and evil.
- Scary witch imagery
- Children in peril
Scripture to Explore Together
- Isaiah 41:10
- Psalm 56:3-4
- Deuteronomy 18:10-12
- Acts 19:18-20
- 1 Corinthians 13:4-7
- Psalm 68:5-6
- Romans 12:9
- Colossians 2:15