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A Wrinkle in Time
By Sandie Angulo Chen,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Inclusive but imperfect take on classic story of hope, love.

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A Wrinkle in Time
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Based on 104 parent reviews
Not Even Close to the Book
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Scary
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What's the Story?
A WRINKLE IN TIME is director Ava DuVernay's adaptation of Madeleine L'Engle's beloved 1962 Newbery Medal-winning fantasy book. It tells the story of 13-year-old Meg Murry (Storm Reid), a middle schooler who's been floundering since the disappearance of her renowned physicist father, Dr. Alex Murry (Chris Pine), four years earlier. After a public confrontation with a mean-girl bully, Meg is surprised to find that she's made a new friend, Calvin O'Keeffe (Levi Miller). Meg's genius little brother, Charles Wallace (Deric McCabe), introduces Meg and Calvin to Mrs. Whatsit (Reese Witherspoon), Mrs. Who (Mindy Kaling), and Mrs. Which (Oprah Winfrey), all of whom reveal that Meg and Charles Wallace's dad isn't dead. But to save him, they must travel across time and space to rescue him from an encroaching darkness called "The It." On different planets, the trio of kids follow intergalactic breadcrumbs to search for Dr. Murry, but the darkness threatens each step they take, putting their lives -- and their ability to return to Earth -- in danger.
Is It Any Good?
This big-hearted adaptation's payoff is more emotional than technical, but, thanks to touching performances, inclusive themes, and inspiring messages, it's easy to appreciate it. Meg is now a biracial middle schooler who's struggling to fit in at her school. Like many teens who feel out of place, she's a lonely misfit who suffers under the wrath of the popular girls, who enjoy tormenting her about her appearance, her interests, and even her father's disappearance. Reid's nuanced performance is lovely, and her vulnerability as Meg underscores the character's development from untrusting cynic to confident warrior. Meanwhile, all three of the actresses playing the Mesdames are obviously having fun in their gorgeous, vibrant costumes and imaginative personas. Kaling's Mrs. Who, who speaks in famous quotes, no longer pulls just from Western classics but also from OutKast, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Rumi, and Buddha. Winfrey might as well be Mrs. Which, a wise and supernaturally beloved being who dispenses inspirational one-liners. And Witherspoon's Mrs. Whatsit adds levity to the mix as the flirty, jokey member of the trio. Pine and Gugu Mbatha-Raw (who plays Meg and Charles Wallace's mother) are also quite good.
That said, the movie does -- like Meg's experience with time-and-space travel -- have some distinctly bumpy patches. The pacing is uneven: The setup feels rushed, and, unlike Calvin and Meg's relationship in the books, their connection in the movie feels a bit like an "insta-crush" (although it's still sweet). And then there's the script, which includes some clunky exchanges (a couple between Calvin and Meg, as well as between Meg and her principal, plus several courtesy of Charles Wallace, who can be off-putting). Charles Wallace's giftedness turns into major creepiness in a possessed-child sequence that might be too scary for younger kids (and too campy and uncomfortable for adults). But all of these missteps don't take away from the fact Meg's coming-of-age story is a universal, relatable hero's journey that's likely to resonate with fans of kid heroes who discover they have the power to do the extraordinary.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the role models in A Wrinkle in Time. What character strengths do they display? How do Meg, Calvin, and Charles Wallace demonstrate courage, teamwork, and perseverance?
Talk about the importance of representation in the film. Why is it good for all kids/people to see minorities, including girls, as main characters in books, movies, and TV shows?
How does this take on A Wrinkle in Time compare with others you might have seen? What do you think about the changes or updates from the book? Why do you think the filmmakers made those changes?
Why do you think Mrs. Whatsit gives Meg the "gift" of her faults? How can your flaws help you in certain cases? How do they help Meg?
In the story, how are hope and love the ultimate way of defeating the darkness? How does that darkness manifest itself in different ways, every day, on Earth? According to the "Mrs." characters, how can we help combat the darkness?
Movie Details
- In theaters: March 9, 2018
- On DVD or streaming: June 5, 2018
- Cast: Oprah Winfrey , Mindy Kaling , Reese Witherspoon , Chris Pine , Storm Reid
- Director: Ava DuVernay
- Inclusion Information: Female directors, Black directors, Female actors, Black actors, Indian/South Asian actors
- Studio: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
- Genre: Family and Kids
- Topics: Magic and Fantasy , Book Characters , Brothers and Sisters , Friendship
- Character Strengths: Courage , Perseverance , Teamwork
- Run time: 109 minutes
- MPAA rating: PG
- MPAA explanation: thematic elements and some peril
- Last updated: February 18, 2023
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