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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...

“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).

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Dr. Layne McDonald
Creative Pastor • Filmmaker • Musician • Author
Memphis, TN

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