Common Sense Media Review
By Renee Schonfeld
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Mexican ghost story for kids has scares.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
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La Leyenda de la Llorona
What's the Story?
LA LEYENDA DE LA LLORONA tells the tale of a young mother who has been haunting the Mexican town of Xochimilco since the death of her young son and daughter. Angry and unsettled, she wails and swoops through the city at night, abducting other innocent children. The latest casualty is Beto, the beloved brother of young Kika (voiced by Mónica del Carmen), who's stolen on the eve of the Day of the Dead. The town priest has sent a letter desperately asking for help from Mr. Andres (Andrés Couturier), who, with his fire-breathing dragon and Leo San Juan (Yair Prado), an orphan boy, rides the skies over Mexico in a hot-air balloon solving mysteries and rescuing the helpless. Unfortunately, the balloon crashes in a terrible storm. Mr. Andres and company land on Puppet Island, where they have other creepy creatures to contend with. Falling to earth before his friends, Leo is rescued by Kika near Xochimilco, and the two set out to stop the terrible ghost.
Is It Any Good?
This Mexican film is filled with wonderfully inventive animation, witty dialogue, and rich characterizations. La Leyenda de la Llorona is a treat for kids who are interested in seeing non-U.S. animated films, and who won't be upset by the legend of a dead woman who believes she is responsible for the deaths of her young children. There are scares, laughs, rich depictions of Mexican culture, and -- underlying all -- the premise that a mother's love is "a boundless and most precious gift protecting children in this world and the next."
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about La Leyenda de la Llorona's Kika, Beto, and Leo San Juan. How are these children similar to or different from your friends and schoolmates? Do you know other Mexican kids with similar traditions?
Did you watch this film with subtitles? How do subtitles change the experience of watching a film? What are the pros and cons?
There are some scary scenes in the film. How did you cope with those moments? Did you think about La Llorona's pain, for example? Did you remind yourself it's all just a fantasy?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : October 21, 2011
- Cast : Andres Couturier , Monica del Carmen , Yair Prado
- Director : Alberto Chino Rodriguez
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Anima Estudios
- Genre : Family and Kids
- Topics : Family Stories ( Siblings ) , Fantasy
- Run time : 74 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : September 30, 2025
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