Common Sense Media Review
By Gemma Agravante
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Young teen mistakes baby elf for friend; blood, fear, death.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
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Elves
What's the Story?
ELVES is a six-episode Danish-language series about a couple who bring their teen children to celebrate Christmas in an off-the-grid cabin on an island only accessible by ferry. The refrain from the locals here is "stick to the coastal road," but the father chooses to bypass those instructions and bisect the island "because it's quicker." They hit something in the road on the way to the house; the family finds black goo on the front of their Volvo wagon. (Spoiler: They hit a baby elf.) We learn that the religious community who care for the island revere the violent elven spirits of the forest, and keep themselves safe by imprisoning the elves behind a high security fence around the center of their island. To appease the elves, they provide animal sacrifices. When daughter Josefine finds an injured elf in the grass and takes it back to the cabin, what could go wrong? (Spoiler: This does not end well.)
Is It Any Good?
This teen thriller builds suspense and doesn't rely on constant gratuitous violence, but it leans into lazy stereotypes. In Elves, gender roles are annoyingly cliched: A teen boy bullies little sister and is interested in a mysterious lone teenage female local. Dad acts like everything is OK and teases his son as if he were a little brother himself, then mom rolls her eyes at his tired machismo while he smirks thinking his jokes are cute. Mom is caring but tired. Young daughter loves cute little animal-like things, but always thinks she's right, and makes decisions that risk everyone's lives.
If your teenager loves thrillers, but also needs some quick breaks into the safety of intermittent laughter, turn off the lights, turn up the volume, and share this series together. The score is done well and it's a quick binge, even if it's not a star of the genre.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about suspense. Some people enjoy it, some don't. How does it make you feel?
What messages does Elves offer about nature preservation? Environmental ethics?
TV Details
- Premiere date : November 28, 2021
- Cast : Sonja Sofie Engberg Steen , Milo Campanale
- Network : Netflix
- Genre : Drama
- TV rating :
- Last updated : December 9, 2021
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