Want more recommendations for your family?
Sign up for our weekly newsletter for entertainment inspiration
Roxy Hunter and the Secret of the Shaman
By Emily Ashby,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Tween detective breaks rules, but escapade is fun.
A Lot or a Little?
What you will—and won't—find in this movie.
Where to Watch
Community Reviews
There aren't any parent reviews yet. Be the first to review this title.
What's the Story?
As she settles into life in Serenity Falls, young gumshoe Roxy Hunter (Aria Wallace) stumbles upon another mystery in need of solving. A local vagrant (Richard McMillan) is building an unusual structure in the woods, and Roxy's sense of adventure leads her to believe that he's a shaman in disguise. She appoints herself his apprentice, and when a missing piece of the town's new monument is stolen and turns up among his things, Roxy is the only one who insists he's innocent. Only with her determination -- and some impressive detective work from her best friend, Max (Demetrius Joyette) -- can the real culprit be discovered.
Is It Any Good?
There's no doubt that tweens -- especially girls -- will thoroughly enjoy Roxy's adventures. And in many ways, the precocious gumshoe is an appropriate role model for her female tween fans. She's resourceful, self-reliant, determined, and fairly bursting with gumption and self-assurance. Once she takes hold of a cause, she always sees it through to the end, and she's never bothered by negative pressure from peers or adults.
But Roxy's strong-willed personality often leads her to make questionable choices, like sneaking out of the house at night or stealing the crystal from the town's lighthouse. She also turns the tables on irritating peers by playing pranks on them, and she speaks and acts rudely to adults. But in the end, she owns up to her wrongdoings and faces the consequences for them.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how the media portrays tweens in general and girls in particular. What characteristics would you say describe Roxy? Are these positive or negative traits? Would you think the same thing if her character was a boy? Do you think the media gives an accurate view of tween life? In your opinion, which tween characters are more believable than others? Why?
Movie Details
- In theaters: February 1, 2008
- On DVD or streaming: July 15, 2008
- Cast: Aria Wallace , Demetrius Joyette , Robin Brule
- Director: Eleanor Lindo
- Inclusion Information: Black actors
- Studio: Sony Pictures
- Genre: Family and Kids
- Run time: 90 minutes
- MPAA rating: NR
- Last updated: February 25, 2022
Inclusion information powered by
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.
Suggest an Update
Where to Watch
Our Editors Recommend
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate