Parents' Guide to Jujutsu Kaisen 0: The Movie

Movies like this are proof that animation isn't just kid stuff, even when they're about kids. Intended for a teen or young adult audience, this high school story includes terrifying elements, including a protagonist whose adorable childhood sweetheart has become a hideous monster and turns him into a killing machine. The anime format allows for both creativity and creepiness, more than you might see in a live-action high school story. Wounds have eyeballs, there's a talking panda that's never explained, and one kid can only utter words that are the ingredients of rice balls ("kelp," "salmon roe"). But it's all pure fantasy, including the frightening elements, so teens are unlikely to be haunted by the Cursed Spirits after the credits roll.

The movie's mythology is thick, and this prequel is setting up enough lore to last through novels, TV series, and possibly more films. It's a lot of information to take in, but it's easy to get the gist. Despite all the action, Jujutsu Kaisen 0 does lag at times, and your mind might wander. Even then, though, its positive messages can't be missed: This is a story about controlling your demons, literally. It's outright stated that "emotions cause Curses," implying that if we don't properly deal with our feelings, we can create worse problems down the road. Unfortunately, the storytelling lacks impact, and it's unlikely that young viewers will take those messages to heart. But with its youthful animation and storyline, teens may well want to follow the further adventures of the students of Jujutsu High.