Monster Family Christian Movie Review (2017)

Guidance: Talk Together

Monster Family is a light family fantasy built around a strained family trying to reconnect after being cursed and transformed into monsters. The main discernment issue is the supernatural curse framework, along with some mild peril and family conflict that may be worth discussing with children.

Why This Guidance Level

This lands in a middle guidance range mainly because the story centers on a curse and monster transformation, which places supernatural power outside a Christian framework at the heart of the plot. Surface-level content otherwise seems fairly mild, but the spiritual premise and identity themes give parents good reason to talk through what power, change, and hope look like in light of Jesus Christ.

Faith & Worldview Perspective

The film seems to affirm the value of family reconciliation, perseverance, and seeing beyond outward appearance. At the same time, it uses a curse-driven fantasy setup that treats supernatural transformation as a playful story engine rather than something grounded in truth or in Christian hope in Christ. Parents may want to discuss the difference between fantasy magic and the real source of identity, rescue, and restoration found in God.

Truths Reflected

• Family relationships matter and can be repaired.
• A person’s worth is deeper than outward appearance.

Tensions to Discuss

• The story’s curse-and-transformation framework may normalize supernatural power outside God’s design, which a Christian parent may want to discuss.
• Identity appears tied to external change and self-acceptance themes rather than ultimately being rooted in who we are before God in Christ.

Content & Discernment Markers

Occult & Spiritual Content

• The central plot begins when the family is cursed and turned into monsters. That supernatural setup is the clearest concern here, because the story uses magical transformation as a major problem-solving and conflict-driving force outside any Christian understanding of spiritual reality. Parents may want to discuss why Christians look to Jesus Christ rather than magic, curses, or mystical power for hope and rescue.

Sexuality & Relationships

• Sexual content does not stand out in the film’s basic setup. The relationship material appears centered on family strain and reconciliation rather than romance or sexual themes.

Identity Themes

• The family members are forced into monster forms, which naturally raises questions about appearance, self-image, and whether people are more than what they look like. This can open a useful conversation about identity being deeper than appearance and ultimately grounded in God’s design.

Violence & Intensity

• Peril appears tied to the curse, monster situations, and adventure-style conflict. The tone seems aimed at families, so the danger is more likely suspenseful or comic than graphic, though younger children may still react to transformation scenes or monster imagery.

Language & Humour

• No specific profanity or crude phrases stand out from the available details. Humor seems more likely to come from monster situations, awkward family dynamics, and visual comedy than from strong language.

Other Content Notes

• The story begins with a family that is unhappy and disconnected, so arguments, frustration, or relational tension are part of the setup. That conflict matters because the emotional arc appears to move toward reconciliation rather than rebellion against family itself. Parents may want to discuss healthy ways to handle conflict at home.

Notable Moments

• Family night out: The Wishbone family plans a night out in an effort to reconnect and address their unhappiness.
• Cursed into monsters: The family’s attempt at reconnection backfires when they are cursed and transformed into monsters, launching the main fantasy conflict.

Discussion Prompts

• Identity and appearance: If someone looks strange or different, does that change their value? What makes a person truly important?
  • Biblical guidance: God looks deeper than outward appearance, and our worth is not based on how we look.
  • Scripture: 1 Samuel 16:7, Psalm 139:13-14
• Family conflict and reconciliation: When families are frustrated with each other, what helps bring peace instead of more hurt?
  • Biblical guidance: Scripture calls families toward patience, forgiveness, and love that bears with one another.
  • Scripture: Colossians 3:13-14, Ephesians 4:2-3
• Magic, curses, and real spiritual hope: How is the movie’s idea of a curse different from what Christians believe about spiritual reality and where help comes from?
  • Biblical guidance: Christians do not look to magic or mystical power for rescue; our hope and deliverance are in Jesus Christ.
  • Scripture: Deuteronomy 18:10-12, Colossians 1:13-14
• Responding to fear: When something scary or confusing happens, where should we turn for help and courage?
  • Biblical guidance: God is our refuge in fear, and children can be reminded to bring worries to Him in prayer.
  • Scripture: Psalm 56:3-4, Philippians 4:6-7