The Remarkable Bond Between Penguin and Human

People seem to love penguins. I remember seeing a real live penguin at Sea World Ohio when I was a young girl and being in love with them. Seeing them waddle and squawk brings joy to my soul. But my first introduction to penguins was the book, Mr. Popper’s Penguins that I read when I was a young child. Since that time, I go out of my way to read and watch all penguin related content! In My Penguin Friend Christian Movie Review & Parent Guide, I give you the information you need before viewing this movie with your children.

My Penguin Friend Christian Movie Review

Studio Synopsis:

Inspired by the incredible true story of DinDim the Penguin, this enchanting adventure is about a little lost penguin who – after being rescued from an oil spill – transforms the life and soul of a the heartbroken fisherman. The penguin and the fisherman become unlikely friends, so bonded that even the vast ocean cannot divide them.

My Synopsis:

When tragedy strikes a fisherman, he shuts off the world. Years later, he sees a penguin in distress and rescues it. The two have a unique bond, and slowly, the distraught fisherman opens his heart again.

My Penguin Friend Christian Review – What Parents Want to Know

Language:

No foul language. There is one use of “oh my g-d.”

Violence:

In one gripping scene, a boat capsizes during a storm, and a young boy is shown falling into the sea. There is no funeral, but you know the boy has died.

A penguin is found almost dead and has been the victim of an oil spill.

Additionally, a penguin falls off a cliff and is injured. Lacerations (not actively bleeding) are present. Later the penguin is shown face down in the sea, but the penguin does survive.

Spiritual Content:

A man wears what appears to be a holy medal around his neck. In another scene, a woman enters, what appears to be, a Catholic Church. There is a statue on the altar. Someone says to her, “We’ve been praying for you.”

Other Content:

Penguin mating is implied.

Several scenes seem to imply that the penguin is the boy who drowned years earlier.

Positive Content:

This is a movie about forgiveness and healing. After the tragic loss, the main character withdraws and doesn’t even talk to his closest friends. After the penguin enters the scene, the man changes and finds joy again. His wife tells him that she has never blamed him for what happened.

My Penguin Friend Christian Review – My Viewing Recommendations:

My Penguin Friend is a cute movie about an unlikely friendship. It has little objectionable content and is suitable for the entire family. Be aware, it is slow-moving and some children will have trouble sitting through the entire film.

About the Movie:

Rating: PG for thematic content

Release Date: August 16, 2024

Runtime: 1 hour, 37 minutes

Genre: Family/Adventure

Studio: Lions Gate Films

Directed by: David Schurmann

Written by: Kristen Lazarian, Paulina Lagudi Ulrich

Produced by: Shaked Berenson, Patrick Ewald, Nicholas Veinberg, Steven P. Wegner

Edited by: Teresa Font

Music by: Fernando Velazquez

Distributed by: Roadside Attractions

The Cast of My Penguin Friend:

Joao played by Jean Reno

Maria played by Adriana Barraza

Stephanie played by Rochi Hernandez

Carlos played by Nicholas Francella

Adriana played by Alexia Moyano

Young Villager played by Ellen C. Camp

Young Joao played by Pedro Urizzi

Young Oscar played by Pedro Caetano

Miguel played by Juan Jose Garnica

More Penguin Content:

Penguin Homeschool Unit Study

DisneyNature Penguin Film Review