THE LITTLE MERMAID (2018)
Love is the greatest gift in this uneven, clean fantasy.
Should You Watch It?
This live-action fairy tale has a good heart. The scenes between Cameron and his orphaned niece, Elle, and the scenes involving Elle, Cameron, and the mermaid are warm and appealing. The movie also promotes love, kindness, and doing the right thing.
But the filmmaking is uneven. The special effects are somewhat cheesy, and the villain could be better. The movie is clean of foul language, crude content, and innuendo, but it includes fighting and a magic battle. The magic is softened by the film’s positive moral messages, though families should still use discernment.
For the best family experience, wait to watch it at home, especially if you have younger children.
The Story
NO SPOILERS — WE KEEP THE SURPRISESIn the 1920s, English reporter Cameron travels to Mississippi with his sickly orphaned niece, Elle. He is investigating Dr. Locke, a circus owner who claims to have a cure-all elixir made from mermaid water.
At the circus, Dr. Locke reveals a beautiful mermaid in a tank. Cameron thinks she is part of a trick, but Elle believes she is real. Soon, Cameron and Elle discover that Elizabeth is being held captive and set out to help her.
Is It Any Good?
Two stars means this is a sweet but noticeably uneven film. Some of its best scenes feature Cameron and Elle, Elle and the mermaid, or Cameron and the mermaid. Those relationships give the fairy tale warmth.
The movie lacks the budget of larger live-action fairy-tale productions. Its special effects are a little cheesy, and the villain is not especially effective. The result is a clean, pleasant fantasy with some nice moments, but not a polished one.
The Worldview
This is a mixed pagan fairy tale with positive moral elements. The story includes mermaids, a fortune teller, magic, and a magic battle. Until the final battle, the movie makes it seem as if all magic is evil, but magic remains part of the story’s fantasy world.
The film’s strongest ideas are its promotion of love, kindness, and doing the right thing. It also includes two people talking about going to church in one scene and a man talking to several people in the church in another. The movie’s moral messages help mitigate its magical elements, though the film does not present a distinctly biblical understanding of those elements.
The grandmother’s closing message is, “Love is the biggest gift.” Scripture likewise says, “Love is patient and kind” (1 Corinthians 13:4).
The Content Guide
The specifics — spoilers included by nature — so you can judge for your own family.
Dominant Worldview and Other Worldview Content/Elements
Mixed pagan worldview with positive moral elements promoting love, kindness and doing the right thing, combined with a magic battle at the end, plus two people talk about going to church in one scene, and a man talks to several people in the church in another scene
Foul Language
No foul language
Violence
Light action violence includes villain’s henchman tries to whip a character, fight scene between man with a whip and a few people, another fight scene with kicking and punching, strong character throws villain a couple times during fight scene, a magic battle knocks some characters about, man falls off a cliff, and girl has coughing fits
Sex
No sex
Nudity
No nudity
Alcohol Use
No alcohol
Smoking and/or Drug Use and Abuse
No smoking or drugs;
Miscellaneous Immorality
Villain holds mermaid captive by tricking her, villain has tricked other characters too, and villain threatens people.
Talk About It
Questions for the drive home, the dinner table, or the youth group.
The film promotes love, kindness, and doing the right thing. Which of those choices is hardest to practice, and why?
1 Corinthians 13:4–7 · Micah 6:8Cameron initially doubts what Elle believes about the mermaid. How can families respond with patience when they see a situation differently?
James 1:19 · Philippians 2:3–4The story includes magic and a magic battle. How should Christians think about the difference between fantasy storytelling and practices Scripture forbids?
Deuteronomy 18:10–12 · Philippians 4:8The movie includes people talking about church. What should kindness and doing the right thing look like in your church and community?
Galatians 5:13 · James 2:14–17The Final Word
This is a clean fantasy with warm family scenes and positive messages, but its cheesy effects and weak villain keep it from being a strong recommendation. Because of the magical elements and light fighting, WAIT FOR HOME is the best choice for your family. For more polished family options, see.
