Common Sense Media Review
By Jennifer Green
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Book-based tale deals with grief; emotional intensity.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 10+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
The Snow Sister
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
Ten-year-old Julian (Mudit Gupta) and his family are struggling to deal with the loss of their beloved sister/daughter Juni in THE SNOW SISTER. Their first Christmas without her (and Julian's 11th birthday) are fast approaching. One day he meets Hedwig (Celina Meyer Hovland), a full-of-life girl who gets him to open up about his sister and start living again. Julian, in turn, will help Hedwig and others process their own losses.
Is It Any Good?
This book-based Norwegian film is a tearjerker that ends on a sweet note and holds helpful lessons for kids about dealing with loss and grief. The Snow Sister follows 10-year-old Julian at home, school, and around his small town in the days leading up to Christmas. The film appears to stick closely to its source material, focusing on story over form. The twists won't come as a surprise for those familiar with the tale. Visually, the film is not especially memorable, though it does convey some interesting details about Norwegian life, as well as a visceral sense of the cold outside (as well as the glowing warmth of some indoor spaces).
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the character of Hedwig and what you learn about her over the course of The Snow Sister.
In what ways does Julian's innate compassion help him and others?
Have you ever lost someone you loved? How did you handle the feelings that accompanied that loss? Did anyone help you process your feelings?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : November 29, 2024
- Cast : Mudit Gupta , Celina Meyer Hovland , Jan Saelid
- Director : Cecilie A. Mosli
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Director(s) , Indian/South Asian Movie Actor(s) , Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Netflix
- Genre : Drama
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic ) , Book Characters , Family Stories ( Siblings ) , Friendship , Holidays
- Character Strengths : Compassion
- Run time : 97 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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