Common Sense Media Review
By Tracy Moore
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Heartfelt, intense adoption story has some scary scenes.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Leafie: A Hen into the Wild
What's the Story?
Leafie/Daisy is a chicken trapped in a factory farm who longs for freedom. But once she escapes to the world outside, she learns it's a much scarier place than she imagined. As she makes friends along the way and eventually finds herself raising an orphaned duck, she learns about the risk of freedom, the bonds of mother and son, and the power of love to trump even the bleakest of circumstances.
Is It Any Good?
This is a powerful, often sad, and very emotional story about adoption, survival, loss, grief, and ultimately what it really means to be free. It's a compelling story, but the Korean-to-English shift here means the overdub and voice acting can feel off-kilter. That said, the animation is at times arresting, and the emotional resonance of the film comes through in spite of itself.
There are some scary scenes here of cramped and dead chickens, some growls and scary fights, and a few key deaths, so kids who aren't used to death as a common theme or the bleaker nature of existence may be thrown. Older kids who've seen films with heavier themes may appreciate the sweet story underneath, of a mother's love for her son and her fight to help him succeed in life in spite of their many differences.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the popularity of adoption stories. Which other stories have you seen about adoption? Why do you think they're so popular?
Have you ever felt like you didn't fit in? If so, what did you do to try to change that? Did it work? Why, or why not?
What do Daisy and her son learn about their love for each other? Why does it succeed in spite of their differences?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : September 23, 2014
- Director : Oh Sung-yoon
- Studio : Olive Films
- Genre : Family and Kids
- Topics : Book Characters , Friendship , Animals ( Wild Animals )
- Run time : 93 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
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