Common Sense Media Review
By Christie Cronan
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Faith-based survival drama; peril, mature themes, language.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 10+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
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Hazel's Heart
What's the Story?
Based on a true story, HAZEL'S HEART follows the titular teen girl (Madelyn Dundon) and her two younger siblings who end up lost in a white-out blizzard in North Dakota during the 1920s. When their sled overturns, the three children must fight for survival as their father leads a desperate search to find them before it's too late.
Is It Any Good?
While the heart of the film is sincere, the story and historical content of Hazel's Heart is frankly lost in a blizzard. What this based-on-a-true-story film does well is freeze-frames quiet, inner strength—a steadfast heart and a portrayal of ultimate sacrificial love—of a young unlikely heroine. Showing the audience that heroism is not always about brute strength, Hazel's story relays calm faith, persevering hope, and courage under pressure, with Christian undertones throughout.
However, the 1920s North Dakota setting seems to have flustered the film with major plot holes, character flaws, and questionable historical content that quite honestly distracts from the message. With some dubious elements, such as Hazel being over-the-top bullied from literally all sides, a schoolhouse that would have made for a better shelter from the snowstorm, a dance party during a storm, confusing use of telephones, and lack of general critical thinking, Hazel's heroic actions get buried beneath a snowstorm of questions more than answers. But if you can "white-out" the flaws and focus on Hazel's character, faith, and love-in-action, there's good to be found in the midst of the copious amounts of snow.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Hazel's portrayal as a young hero in Hazel's Heart. Would you consider Hazel to be "strong?" What makes for a strong hero in a film? How is Hazel similar or different from other film heroes you've seen?
How does the portrayal of life in the 1920s (clothing, homes, technology, transportation, family roles) shape our understanding of the character's challenges and choices? Do you think this film is an accurate representation of life in North Dakota during those times? Why or why not?
How is surviving in a movie different from survival in real life? What might the film leave out to keep the story interesting/moving?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : December 23, 2025
- Cast : Madelyn Dundon , Stelio Savante , Todd Terry
- Director : Daniel Bielinski
- Studio : Samuel Goldwyn Films
- Genre : Drama
- Topics : Adventures , Animals ( Horses ) , Faith ( Christianity ) , Family Stories ( Siblings ) , History ( Biopic )
- Character Strengths : Courage , Empathy , Perseverance
- Run time : 89 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : January 29, 2026
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