Parents' Guide to

Doctor Strange

By Jeffrey Anderson, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 12+

Mysticism, humor, and action surround unique Marvel hero.

Movie PG-13 2016 115 minutes
Doctor Strange Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

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age 11+

Based on 39 parent reviews

Carlos E.
Carlos E. Parent of 12 and 16-year-old
February 2, 2019
age 14+

Sorcery and black magic

I haven't seen many reviews taking issue with the use of sorcery and black magic. Many families might not feel comfortable with that kind of imaginary and practices feeding their kids. As it turns out (spoiler) the hero of the film, is actually drawing her power from the dark side, but instead of being disqualified it turns out to be accepted by their followers once they have digested the news. I believe we are here away from the fantasy worlds of 'good' magic and myth à la Tolkien or Lewis, but with a rather more dangerous kind. There are also direct references to the sex life of Dr Strange with his girlfriend which is gratuitous and unnecessary in a kids film. Nothing is showed but it directly evoked.

This title has:

Too much swearing
5 people found this helpful.
lus
lus Adult
February 2, 2022
age 16+

Not a kids movie, too much blood and disturbing imagery

I expected the typical Marvel movie. Action, fantasy, humour...and magic But I have found too much gore and disturbing images. Doctor Strange is a surgeon, and in the beginning of the movie there are disturbing images on his daily job. There are sensitive people, even adults who panic at this when it comes to surgery images Then he has a car accident. And there are disturbing slow images, not the typical quickly scene of an accident. Then he is carried to hospital and more disturbing images. At last he is off his job and tries to get a heal to his injury. Then we go to the best part of the movie. The magic part. But when Mister Strange is stabbed we come back again and there appears more gore images and disturbing on the surgery. Then one of the main characters a bald woman is fatally injured with more disturbing and gore images in hospital I didn't expect this. It's more bearable gun shots and general fighting than disturbing images. All the fault to the director. There was no need of too much disturbing stuff on this movie
3 people found this helpful.
See all 39 parent reviews

What's the Story?

In DOCTOR STRANGE, the title character (Benedict Cumberbatch) is a skilled surgeon who's both successful and arrogant. After crashing his sports car, he finds that his hands are useless, and medical science can't restore them. But he hears of a man who was able to walk again after a spinal injury and seeks the source of this rumor, an Ancient One (Tilda Swinton) in Kathmandu, Nepal. At first the doctor mocks the Ancient One's claims that healing his spirit can heal his body, but he finds her powers genuine and begs to be taught. His training goes better than expected: It even appears that Doctor Strange might be a natural-born sorcerer. But a villain, Kaecilius (Mads Mikkelsen), has stolen pages from one of the Ancient One's spell books and intends to use them to bring a dark dimension to Earth. Has Strange learned enough to stop this evil from happening?

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (39):
Kids say (175):

Marvel's 14th Cinematic Universe movie has all the usual action and explosions, but it also has a different type of main character -- one who's magical and appealingly flawed but willing to change. Chiefly known as a horror director, helmer Scott Derrickson unexpectedly adds plenty of playfulness and humor to a story that could have been steeped in self-serious exoticism and mysticism. It helps that Cumberbatch and Swinton, as well as Benedict Wong as the keeper of the spellbook library, bring so much personality to their roles.

Most of Doctor Strange's seriousness is a burden carried by Chiwetel Ejiofor's Mordo character, but comic fans will at least know the reason why. Unfortunately, the best character moments tend to cool down and fizzle out during the big action sequences. But some of those scenes, which have beautiful "folding" effects as the sorcerers change the environment around them, are quite impressive, especially as Strange learns his powers. As the movie's climax arrives, the action becomes bigger and less involving. Still, it's thrilling to see Strange embrace his inner spirit, finding power by going with the current, instead of against it.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about Doctor Strange's violence. How does it compare to what you've seen in other Marvel movies? Is there a difference in the impact of hand-to-hand combat and catastrophic, buildings-collapsing type of explosions?

  • As the movie begins, how is the doctor selfish and arrogant? How does he learn to change these things? How does he demonstrate humility and perseverance? Why are these important character strengths?

  • Why do you think the Marvel comics have turned into such well-received movies? How does Doctor Strange fit in? How is he different?

  • What lessons does Doctor Strange learn from the Ancient One? Could you apply any of these lessons to your own life?

  • How does the movie address texting and driving? Do the consequences seem realistic?

Movie Details

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

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