Dr. Mac Christian Movie Reviews: Labyrinth (1986)

“It’s puppets, glitter, and a goblin king who sings rock ballads — what could go wrong? (Spoiler: Plenty.)”

Fantasy film poster for "Labyrinth," featuring an intricate design with a golden-hued character overlooking a mystical scene. In the foreground, a young woman stands amidst fantastical creatures, set against a backdrop of surreal landscapes. The tagline emphasizes the theme of illusion and adventure.

📖 Quick Snapshot

Sarah (Jennifer Connelly) is a teenager who wishes her baby brother away to the Goblin King (David Bowie). To rescue him, she must navigate a magical labyrinth full of riddles, odd creatures, and questionable puppetry. It’s visually creative and loaded with 80s charm, but also sprinkled with material Christian parents should pause on.

🗣️ Language & Profanity

• Very light on outright profanity — a few mild exclamations, but nothing major.

• Some rude or crass phrases used by the goblins.

😬 Inappropriate or Questionable Content

• David Bowie’s wardrobe: Let’s be honest, most parents remember this — tight pants and an oddly sexualized Goblin King. Not kid-friendly imagery.

• Dark/occult vibes: Magic spells, sorcery, and demonic undertones in Bowie’s “kingdom.”

• Creepy atmosphere: Some puppets are nightmare fuel (the “Fireys” removing their heads still haunt Gen X).

• Rebellion themes: Sarah’s disobedience and self-centered wish cause the entire conflict. She eventually matures, but only after nearly losing everything.

✝️ The Christian Parent Grading Scale

Category	Grade	Explanation
Biblical Truth & Redemption	D	Themes of responsibility and maturing are positive, but wrapped in sorcery and occult imagery.
Suitability for Kids (6–12)	C-	Disturbing creatures, heavy occult themes, and Bowie’s presence make this dicey.
Language & Cleanliness	B+	Not a lot of bad words, but other concerns outweigh this.
Family & Emotional Engagement	B	Quirky, creative, and imaginative, but also strange and unsettling.
Overall Christian Values	D+	Responsibility lesson is good, but occult magic makes it a poor fit for younger families.

🛠️ The Filter Fix

• VidAngel / Enjoy Movies Your Way can’t do much about Bowie’s wardrobe, but they can trim creepy puppet scenes and any language slips.

• Filtering helps tone down disturbing moments, but spiritual confusion is baked into the core story.

🧑‍⚕️ Dr. Mac’s Verdict

🚦 Yellow Light (filtered for older teens) | Red Light (for younger kids) — Creative, yes. Wholesome? Not really. It’s a nostalgia trip for 80s parents, but most Christian families should tread carefully.

Best Age Range: 13+ (filtered)

Family Discussion Starter: “What happens when we speak careless words (like Sarah’s wish)? How do our words hold power to build or destroy?” (Proverbs 18:21).