Common Sense Media Review
By Christie Cronan
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Artful anime blends tender young love with war violence.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 11+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
The Glassworker
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
THE GLASSWORKER is a steampunk-influenced tale of innocent first love in the midst of a war-torn Pakistani town. Vincent (voiced by Sacha Dhawan), the young son of a glassmaker, and Alliz (Anjli Mohindra), an aspiring violinist and the daughter of a high-ranking colonel, connect over their passion for art. But as the war intensifies and threatens their bond, can their love for each other, their families, and their art stand strong?
Is It Any Good?
With its intricate visuals and emotional depth, this is director Usman Riaz' tender, poetic love letter to Pakistani culture. While it was clearly influenced by the anime films of the legendary Studio Ghibli, The Glassworker is an impressive work of art on multiple levels: It boasts original hand-drawn 2D animation, an original score, and powerful storytelling that both feels familiar and offers relevant themes and heartfelt messages that resonate.
Capturing the beauty and fragility of art, love, and innocence is no easy feat, but Riaz does it skillfully. There are a few slow scenes that don't quite fit the narrative and a few moments of over-the-top violence that might draw viewers' attention away from the overall message, but Riaz' passion, creativity, and expressive range suggest that his debut is likely just the beginning of an impressive cinematic journey to come.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the popularity of anime films like The Glassworker. How does this one compare to other anime/animated films that you've seen?
Why is it important to create art and find ways to express yourself, especially during times of hardship? How does this tie into the character strength of perseverance?
What does this film have to say about war and conflict? Do you agree with the message? Why, or why not?
Movie Details
- In theaters : September 5, 2025
- On DVD or streaming : October 14, 2025
- Cast : Sacha Dhawan , Anjli Mohindra , Art Malik
- Director : Usman Riaz
- Inclusion Information : Indian/South Asian Movie Director(s) , Indian/South Asian Movie Actor(s) , Multiracial Movie Actor(s) , Female Movie Actor(s) , Indian/South Asian Movie Writer(s)
- Studio : Watermelon Pictures
- Genre : Drama
- Topics : Arts , Family Stories ( Dads , Siblings ) , Fantasy , Friendship
- Character Strengths : Perseverance
- Run time : 98 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : September 12, 2025
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
Suggest an Update
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