Parents' Guide to

Wonder Woman 1984

Movie PG-13 2020 151 minutes
Wonder Woman 1984 Movie Poster: Wonder Woman stands in the center of the poster, looking out at viewers

Common Sense Media Review

Sandie Angulo Chen By Sandie Angulo Chen , based on child development research. How do we rate?

age 12+

Melancholy DC sequel about redemption has mixed messages.

Parents Need to Know

Why Age 12+?

Any Positive Content?

Parent and Kid Reviews

age 12+

Based on 29 parent reviews

age 16+

Not what I expected

My brother (in the film industry) hated it. I enjoyed most of it. I let my daughter (8) watch it with us, as she understands violence for effect and the difference in movies vs real life. However, EVERY review talked about the couple waking up in bed together. She doesn't get what sex is, so that could right over her head. However, NONE of the reviews talked about them rolling around and passionately kissing while in bed, laying on each other. This would have been a deal breaker for me on letting her watch it. That is far more than 2 people waking up in bed together. Disappointed in the reviews.
age 12+

Here are some things parents need to know about this movie,

Wonder Woman 1984 is a really good movie with positive role models, but beware because it has some scenes you might not want your child to watch, like (spoiler alert) when Wonder Woman and shirtless Steve are in a bed kissing on top of one another, there are some bloody scenes but its nothing a child can't handle. there is some violence, and there is a thief who drinks and there are some uses of the words, sh*t and b**ch, and the antagonist is not scary. I think the age doesn't matter when watching a movie, it depends on the maturity of that person and if they can or can not handle some scenes whether its you that's watching or your child. But overall wonder woman is a great movie and I would definitely recommend it. I hoped this helped you decide.

What's the Story?

WONDER WOMAN 1984 takes place seven decades after the events of Wonder Woman, with Diana Prince (Gal Gadot) now a curator at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History. Her new colleague/friend, shy gemologist Barbara Minerva (Kristen Wiig), has been asked by the FBI to consult on a recovered stolen artifact: a citrine rock embedded in a base engraved with Latin words asking those who hold it to make a wish. Diana amuses Barbara by making a wish while holding it, and later Barbara wishes that she were as strong, confident, and sexy as Diana. After Barbara gives a private tour to museum donor and TV infomercial host/oil entrepreneur Max Lord (Pedro Pascal), he steals the stone. It quickly becomes clear that the stone really does grant wishes, because Barbara transforms into a superstrong, put-together, charming woman, and Diana meets a man who seems to be Steve Trevor (Chris Pine) resurrected (others see him in the new man's body, Quantum Leap-style, but Diana and the audience see the old Steve). Diana and Steve go on a mission to find the stone, not realizing that it's now inextricably linked to Max, who wants to be the most powerful and influential man on the planet.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (29 ):
Kids say (83 ):

Campier and less revolutionary than the original, this long but entertaining sequel still shows the many ways women can be strong, heroic, and smart. (Though it does suggest that some of that hinges on being able to pull off high heels.) Wonder Woman 1984 also highlights the dangers of greed and excess. Director Patty Jenkins seems to relish displaying the "me" decade in all its materialistic glory, with the big hair, the big malls, and the big desires to win at all costs. Working from a screenplay she co-wrote with Geoff Johns and David Callaham, Jenkins also features a more melancholic Diana this time around. She's spent 65 years missing her one true love, Steve, whom many fans will agree is worth a lifetime of "pining" for. When he reemerges, there's a sweet callback to the first movie's fashion show sequence. Now Steve is the one trying on different 1980s outfits to blend in with the times (get ready for Pine in a fanny pack and Members' Only-style jacket). There's also a lot of immediate romance, since they're lovers reuniting rather than strangers meeting-cute and getting to know each other. Once again, Diana and Steve are one of the most romantic superhero-partner couples.

Wiig is a precise choice for Barbara Minerva, who's described in DC Comics lore as ambitious, selfish, and neurotic -- although in this case, the selfishness only manifests after her wish is granted. Barbara's metamorphosis is well executed, as is the character's desire to be as beautiful and bold (not to mention strong) as Diana, even though that doesn't ultimately bring her happiness. Pascal is wonderfully smarmy and self-aggrandizing as Lord, the entrepreneur who wants it all. Diana's commitment to change hearts rather than break bodies (she refuses to use guns and only hurts people when she has no other choice) is a powerful reminder that protectors can use other skills besides their might to help defuse situations. Of course, she still has to knock out a bunch of evil-doers, but these aren't the death- and blood-filled battles of the Batman movies. Despite the performances of the supervillains, Wonder Woman 1984 is at its best when Gadot and Pine are together -- and not (just) because they're both disarmingly gorgeous, but because their chemistry and their connection are what drives the story forward. It's just too bad their reunion here comes with some tricky issues related to consent.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about Wonder Woman 1984's messages about greed, excess, and conspicuous consumption. How does the desire for "more" corrupt those who make wishes?

  • How do the characters demonstrate courage and teamwork? What about Diana's keen sense of compassion and empathy? Why are those all important character strengths? Why do you think she's unwilling to use guns and unnecessarily hurt people? How does that compare to other superheroes' attitude toward weapons?

  • What makes Diana a role model in Wonder Woman? Why does Barbara envy her? What message is the movie sending through Barbara's transformation? Does wearing tight dresses and high heels make her "better" in some way?

  • How did you feel about the way Steve came back for this movie? Spoiler alert: Is it OK that he and Diana treated the body he was using as if it really belonged to him? What message does that send about the importance of consent and agency?

  • Talk about how Middle Eastern characters are represented in the movie. Why do you think it's so common for Middle Eastern characters to be portrayed as villains? How does the movie's storyline perpetuate stereotypes about Middle Eastern men?

Movie Details

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