Parents' Guide to

Valentina

By Tracy Moore, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 9+

Animated tale about boy-crazy girls has unexpected frights.

Movie G 2015 69 minutes
Valentina Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Community Reviews

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age 10+

Based on 1 parent review

MomofBoyandGirl
MomofBoyandGirl Adult
November 14, 2018
age 10+

Very traditional gender roles

I was very bothered by the traditional gender roles presented. When I say "too much sex" it isn't actually sexual acts that are presented, but the way the girl characters fixate and view their worth based on their acceptance of the male characters. The boys did the heavy lifting of the logs to build the bonfire. The girls sat around and sewed a dummy. The dummy was also frightening. I missed the part about the folktale and why a dummy would be suspended above the bonfire, but as an African-American seeing a human-like figure hung and tied over a fire was too close to the very real images of lynching in US history. It was bothersome. Then there's the fact that the main character's problem centers around getting the attention of a boy. During school scenes the kids pass notes, and school is presented as a place to be bored. The teacher is out of touch, and just shouts idle threats. At the end of the story, the main character, Valentina, doesn't even solve the problem in the crisis scene. Two male characters step in and become the heroes of the storyline in the most unrealistic way. Also the storyline is predictable, and isn't really resolved. I know this movie is from another country/culture, but I prefer for my kids not to absorb patriarchal attitudes - no matter where they come from.

This title has:

Too much sex
See all 1 parent review

What's the Story?

Valentina and her friends are planning a spring festival and also are eager to fall in love and have their first kiss. But soon a dummy that comes to life starts disrupting their plans to celebrate the new season.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: (1):
Kids say: Not yet rated

Likely because it's a Spanish-made film dubbed in English, something is lost in translation with VALENTINA. Most of the film involves a gaggle of girls discussing various crushes and their desire to fall in love and experience their first kiss. Then, suddenly and inexplicably, a creepy dummy comes to life and begins haunting their bonfire because it's jealous. The result is part Bratz, part Scooby-Doo, with some unexpected frights that are too sudden and scary for younger kids. Families of tweens may feel uncomfortable with all the boy-craziness and want to have a discussion about crushes and first kisses.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about Valentina's oddities. What do you think makes the film seem a little offbeat? Has something been lost in translation?

  • What age do you think Valentina and her friends are? How can you tell?

  • The story of the dummy at the bonfire is a folk tale. Which folk tales have you heard growing up?

Movie Details

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