Common Sense Media Review
By Stefan Pape
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Gritty coming-of-age drama mixes tough realism with fantasy.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Bird
What's the Story?
BIRD is the story of Bailey (Nykiya Adams), a 12-year-old girl, who lives with her dad, Bug (Barry Keoghan), in a squat, though dreams of something bigger, spending her days taking photos and seeking adventure. When she meets Bird (Franz Rogowski), a free-spirited, quirky man who is on the hunt for his parents, the unlikely duo team up to find them together.
Is It Any Good?
While it takes a little while to get going, writer and director Andrea Arnold's drama once again shows why she's held in such esteem, with a pay-off well worth the wait. Often, when a film veers in tonality, it can take the viewer out of the story, but Bird is quite the opposite. Here the surrealistic nature that defines the latter stages of the film, brings the whole narrative together in a glorious way. There is an ethereal beauty to the movie, yet it never feels as though it is compromising on the more gritty and bleak aspects of the story. Key to this is that Arnold clearly has a great affection for her characters, never fetishising their struggles or acting like some kind of savior. The reward is an, at times, surreal coming-of-age drama, but one that never feels inauthentic.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the environment that Bird was set in. What difficulties did Bailey face in her life? What character strengths did she show in dealing with or overcoming them?
There's lots of strong language used in the movie. What did it contribute to the story? Is a certain level of language expected in a film like this? If so, why?
Talk about the film's violence. Did you find any scenes too intense? What's the impact of media violence on kids?
How was drinking, smoking, and drugs depicted in the film? Were they glamorized? Why does that matter?
What did you think of the fantasy elements? What did they bring to the story? Did it work well with the more grittier elements?
Movie Details
- In theaters : November 8, 2024
- On DVD or streaming : December 23, 2024
- Cast : Nykiya Adams , Barry Keoghan , Franz Rogowski
- Director : Andrea Arnold
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Director(s) , Female Movie Actor(s) , Black Movie Actor(s) , Black British Movie Actor(s) , Multiracial Movie Actor(s) , Female Movie Writer(s)
- Studio : MUBI
- Genre : Drama
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic ) , Family Stories ( Siblings ) , Friendship
- Character Strengths : Compassion , Courage , Curiosity , Teamwork
- Run time : 119 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : language throughout, some violent content and drug material
- Award : BAFTA - BAFTA Nominee
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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