THE MAGIC FARAWAY TREE
A whimsical tale of magic that celebrates the importance of family.
Should You See It?
Yes, but only adults who know exactly what they're signing up for. This movie features stunning shots of the English countryside, heartwarming performances from a talented cast, and a story that values family above everything else. Characters who cling to their screens stay isolated, while the ones who set them down grow closer to family and friends and learn what real sacrifice costs.
The message lands clean: choose the people in front of you over the screen in your hand. Kids and parents alike will enjoy this movie. It pairs honest conversations about screens and family time with magic worlds and characters that keep everyone hooked.
Be cautious as themes of magic runs through the plot too, with fairies, spells, and potions. The movie also promotes strong moral and Christian themes like family loyalty and self-sacrifice. Families should avoid this one.
The Story
NO SPOILERS — WE KEEP THE SURPRISESWhen Polly Thompson quits her job, she and her family, including her husband Tim and their children Beth, Joe, and Fran, move to the country. Tim plans to farm tomatoes and make homemade sauce. At first, the children feel unhappy about the move, but they soon discover a group of fairies living in the nearby woods. The fairies take them on adventures to magical lands. However, when Beth makes a wish that goes wrong, the children and their new friends embark on a journey across these magical worlds to find a solution in hopes of saving their home.
Is It Any Good?
Four stars means this movie shines from top to bottom. The incredible cast delivers both humorous and heartfelt moments with ease. The sets impress too, especially the magical worlds where the fairies take the children and the tree they call home, and the movie fills every scene with beautiful shots of the English countryside.
The script shares an important message about spending time together as a family and enjoying the world outside of screens, wrapped in a fun, fantastical story. Based on Enid Blyton's novel series, the movie updates the story for a modern audience but keeps the same message front and center: choose the people around you over the screen in your hand.
Despite the magical elements, like fairies, spells, and potions, the story never loses sight of its family-first message.
The Worldview
Pagan and occult worldviews drive most of the plot. The fairies cast spells to hide their tree home from unwanted visitors, and the magical lands the children visit run on wishes, potions, and enchantments instead of any faith in God. This magic shapes the story from start to finish, not just a scene or two.
Underneath all that magic, the movie holds real moral weight. The fairies choose to help the children even though the kids' long absence hurt them, and that choice shows grace: they set aside their hurt feelings and act out of love instead of resentment. Silky goes even further. She gives up her freedom and her home to rescue her friends, a sacrifice that echoes Christ's words in John 15:13: no one shows greater love than the one who lays down his life for his friends.
Every character who chooses loyalty, forgiveness, or sacrifice ends up better for it. The message stays clear: choose love and sacrifice over comfort and grudges, even when magic surrounds the story instead of faith.
The Content Guide
The specifics — spoilers included by nature — so you can judge for your own family.
A strong biblical worldview that emphasizes friendship and self-sacrifice for others, along with pro-family themes, mention of Gregorian chants. The movie emphasizes a family spending time together. Pagan elements such as fairies, magic spells, potions, and enchantments. One character expresses feminist opinions, labeling their move to the country as “oppression of the patriarchy” and mocks a fairy by suggesting that feminism hasn’t reached their world.
No foul language but includes one scene with bathroom humor.
A character mentions hitting students at her school
No sex
No nudity
A character holds a glass of wine in one scene.
No smoking or drug abuse;
A character acts rudely toward her parents, siblings, and the fairies, but she changes her behavior by the end. The villain imprisons the children and fairies but maintains a comedic presence and never engages in anything frightening.
Talk About It
Questions for the drive home, the dinner table, or the youth group.
Many scenes in the movie involve magic spells and potions. What does the Bible tell us about the dangers of turning to magic, instead of faith? Deuteronomy 18:10-12
The Final Word
THE MAGIC FARAWAY leans heavily on magic, featuring spells, potions, and enchanted lands filled with fairies. It also presents some light immoral behavior, which requires extra discernment. However, beyond those elements, the movie delivers a heartfelt story about family and friends. Children of all ages should should skip it altogether.
