Parents' Guide to La Leyenda del Chupacabras

Parents need to know that La Leyenda del Chupacabras is a Mexican animated film (in Spanish with English subtitles for U.S. release) that's part of La Leyenda series about Mexican legends. Positive messages include the importance of compassion, resilience, and courage as ways of standing up to oppression. Positive role models include Leo San Juan (voiced by Benny Mendoza), who's brave and helps others around him, and the rebels who will do anything to defend their families. Some scenes will likely be scary to younger kids, including those with the Chupacabras -- a bat-like creature with glowing red eyes -- and some tense scenes in which the rebels are captured at gunpoint and told they'll be executed. Two friendly monsters have living-skull sidekicks, which could also upset the youngest viewers. Expect some insults, such as "blockhead," and a boy is called "princess" as a taunt. Leo's friend Teodora (Mayté Cordeiro) has a crush on Leo, and two monsters offer to set someone up with their "loose" cousin. A character smokes a pipe. In terms of diversity, the film is made by Mexican storytellers and voiced by Mexican actors. Female characters in supporting roles include Teodora and Juanita (Laura G), who are fierce and loyal as they try to stop the Chupacabras.

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