Common Sense Media Review
By Jennifer Green
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Fairy tale with a twist has scary scenes, stereotypes.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 9+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Charming
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 9 parent reviews
Based on 18 kid reviews
Kids say this movie has a blend of humor and strong female characters, making it enjoyable for both kids and adults. However, many parents caution that it contains scary scenes and adult themes, making it unsuitable for younger children, while some viewers find it offensive due to its stereotypes and potentially harmful messages.
- humor appeal
- strong female characters
- inappropriate for kids
- offensive content
- scary scenes
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
CHARMING is about Prince Philippe Charming (Wilmer Valderrama), who was blessed at birth with the ability to make any woman fall in love with him. But the blessing also comes with a curse from the evil witch Nemeny Neverwish (Nia Vardalos): All love will disappear from the village upon Charming's 21st birthday unless he kisses his true love. By the time that day arrives, Charming is engaged to not one but three princesses -- Cinderella (Ashley Tisdale), Snow White (Avril Lavigne), and Sleeping Beauty (G.E.M.) -- yet he's not sure he's actually in love with any of them. Then he meets petty thief Lenore (Demi Lovato) and thinks he's feeling love for the first time. Lenore is hired in secret to help Charming pass three epic challenges. She disguises herself as a man to avoid being recognized, but the two forge a close bond while trying to break the curse.
Is It Any Good?
The film aims for goofy fun and works in part due to some sweet and self-effacing characterizations, but it has core issues like blurred lines of consent and gender and racial stereotypes. Sure, Charming's Prince (Wilmer Valderrama) has endearing inner monologues and an optimistic outlook that makes him blissfully unaware of his own shortcomings. But the less charming princesses are portrayed as mean, vapid, and traumatized by their pasts, and the villain is the king's jealous ex-girlfriend. When the film breaks out into song, it feels inconsistent and more like a concession to casting pop stars than a requisite of the story. The surreal musical scene in the cannibal village feels like it's from a film like Coco rather than this one. Ultimately, this attempt at a new twist on the classic fairy tale falls a little flat due to inconsistent and thoughtless choices.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how Charming reverses some of the usual storylines of classic fairy tales. What is the effect of making such changes?
How are women portrayed: Is it empowering? Stereotypical? Why do you think so?
In what ways do Lenore and Charming work together to save the villagers?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : January 8, 2021
- Cast : Wilmer Valderrama , Demi Lovato , Sia
- Director : Ross Venokur
- Inclusion Information : Latino Movie Actor(s) , Non-Binary Movie Actor(s) , Pansexual Movie Actor(s) , Female Movie Actor(s) , Queer Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Netflix
- Genre : Family and Kids
- Topics : Fantasy ( Fairy Tales ) , Arts ( Music and Sing-Along )
- Run time : 85 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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