Common Sense Media Review
By Sandie Angulo Chen
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Updated Peter Pan story has striking visuals, uneven plot.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 11+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Wendy
What's the Story?
WENDY is a retelling of the Peter Pan story from director Behn Zeitlin (Beasts of the Southern Wild). It centers on young Wendy Darling (Devin France), the daughter of a Louisiana diner owner who ends up in Neverland by jumping on a train with her older twin brothers, Douglas (Gage Naquin) and James (Gavin Naquin). Neverland is an island full of Lost Boys (and girls) -- but it's also home to a mysterious old man who apparently was once a Lost Boy, too. In this version, Peter (Yashua Mack) is charming, mischievous, and island-descended, and he and the Lost Boys are kept perpetually young by a magical "Mother," a mythical sea creature that seems to guard them in their fountain of youth. After an unexpected tragedy strikes the Darlings, Wendy discovers that there are some dark aspects to the idea of "never growing up."
Is It Any Good?
This visually impressive Peter Pan retelling focuses on Wendy but lacks a strong narrative thread beyond the chaotic wonder of a potentially never-ending childhood. Parts of the film are lovely and memorable, and in terms of cinematography, score, and production design, the movie is impressive. But the plot and the dialogue beg more questions than they answer, and there are upsetting twists that will leave viewers unsatisfied and disappointed, given the source material.
France is an expressive young actor, and -- like Brooklynn Prince in The Florida Project -- she's able to convey a lot. In fact, most of the amateur young actors do a good job, although they mostly just have to play, run, and scream in delight (there's quite a lot of hollering). The emphasis on the setting and the story's allegorical elements may lack appeal for younger viewers, but older moviegoers could be intrigued to figure out what Zeitlin is trying to say about childhood, adulthood, and what's lost and gained in the adventure of growing up. One character's story arc in particular fits into the Pan legend but is deeply upsetting to the point of being an unforgivable flaw. There's a lot to unpack in this leisurely paced, thoughtful examination of Peter Pan, but the movie falls short of the greatness expected as the follow-up to Beasts of the Southern Wild.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the violence in Wendy. Do you think it's necessary for the story? Who do you think the target audience is? How can you tell?
Who, if anyone, is a role model in the movie? What character strengths are displayed?
How does Wendy cope with the difficulties in her life? Is she aware of them? How does she compare to other movie girls?
There have been several retellings of Peter Pan. How does this one compare to others you're familiar with? Which version do you like most?
Do you agree with the movie's opinion on growing up? Is it scary? Is it an adventure?
Movie Details
- In theaters : February 28, 2020
- On DVD or streaming : April 17, 2020
- Cast : Shay Walker , Tommie Lynn Milazzo , Stephanie Lynn Wilson
- Director : Benh Zeitlin
- Studio : Fox Searchlight Pictures
- Genre : Fantasy
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic ) , Adventures , Book Characters , Family Stories ( Siblings )
- Run time : 112 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : brief violent/bloody images
- Last updated : September 30, 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