Based on the Book by Oscar Wilde

I review a lot of movies. Sometimes, I see a movie that I expect to be better than it is, sometimes, I am pleasantly surprised, and sometimes, I am horrified that someone thought what I was watching was worthy of a theatrical release. The Canterville Ghost Christian Movie Review (2023) gives you the information you need before viewing this movie with your children. But it also tells you so much more – should you see this movie at all?

The Canterville Ghost is based on a book by the same name written by Oscar Wilde. The short story was originally published in two parts in The Court and Society Review in 1887. It has been performed on stage. Additionally, multiple movies have been made from this ghostly comedy.

The Canterville Ghost Christian Movie Review (2023):

Studio Synopsis:

Sir Simon de Canterville has been haunting the grounds of his country estate for more than 300 years, but he soon meets his match when he tries to scare off a modern-day American family that just moved in.

My Synopsis:

The Otis family from America moves into Canterville Chase even though the last tenant of the estate is now living in an insane asylum. The ghost that has haunted the house for the last 300 years, Sir Simon de Canterville, was accused of killing his wife. Sir Simon’s brother walled him into the house, and after his death, he was forced to roam the house. 

It appears Sir Simon has met his match with the Otis family, as not only are they not leaving the house, but they refuse to be afraid of him.

The Canterville Ghost Christian Review What Parents Want to Know

Language:

Use of the word d-mned. Additionally, there are several crude words such as dodo and butt.

Additionally, someone says, “There is a sulfuric odor in my nostrils,” and believes it is because of the ghost. A child responds, “that was me.”

Sir Simon makes several remarks about a girl in trousers and is surprised at the things she does in the manner of “girls don’t do those kinds of things.”

Violence:

One of the main characters in the story, Sir Simon is accused of killing his wife. However, we see how she really met her fate. 

In Sir Simon’s room, there is a skeleton (it is his). Furthermore, there is a painting with a man holding a skull.

Additionally, a man riding a horse almost goes over a cliff. 

Sir Simon “attacks guests.” He throws knives at them and starts a fire. One man is injured when a chandelier falls down. 

Spiritual Content:

This film is filled with Biblical inaccuracies. 

Be warned that this film is about a man who died 300 years ago and is walking the earth as a ghost. He has the ability to walk through walls, remove his head, and make objects move. He also causes things to catch on fire, and can put out the fire too.

Words appear on a window.

Sir Simon is cursed to wander the grounds of the Canterville estate. However, he cannot go beyond the property lines. He also cannot rest in peace. At times he walks around in chains.

There is also references to a prophecy. Sir Simon cannot rest in peace until the prophecy is fulfilled. 

The vicar’s wife comes to “bust ghosts,” and even has a pack similar to what is seen in Ghost Busters to collect the ghost of Sir Simon. Furthermore, she says there are “unmistakable signs of spiritual activity.” She throws around paranormal words such as phantasmagorical investigator, telekinesis, and more. Additionally, she pulls out a “spirit compass.”

A man says to the vicar, “Forgive me, Father, for I have sinned.”

The grim reaper appears in several different forms, and is even referred to as an angel. Several characters enter a “Garden of Death” which appears to be a place between Heaven, Earth and Hell. They leave their bodies at the entrance. They essentially “die” when they enter the garden. However, the Grim Reaper allows two of them to return to the living.

Adult Content:

One man is stumbling and slurring his words and it appears he is drunk. He continues to look for more alcohol.

At a social gathering there is alcohol served.

Virginia’s mom, Lucretia, practically throws her daughter at Duke to pair them up. It is obvious the Duke is interested in Virginia, but she wants nothing to do with romance. 

Bad Behavior:

The Otis twins are always saying and doing things that imply bad behavior including lying. Additionally, they play ball with Sir Simon’s head. Furthermore, they blame the ghost for things they break (and they break a lot). 

Additionally, Virginia is downright disrespectful to her parents. She didn’t want to move and is willing to do anything to move back to America.

Positive Content:

The main focus of this film is one of love and forgiveness. Virginia wants many things out of life, but she knows she doesn’t want love. Sir Simon only wants to be reunited in death with his wife. Together, Virginia and Sir Simon learn about love.

“Love is the greatest adventure of all,” is said, and “love is all you need.”

The Canterville Ghost Christian Review – My Viewing Recommendations

Although I haven’t read the book by Oscar Wilde, I really wanted to like the animated film, The Canterville Ghost. And it had great potential. However, it was lacking in too many ways to overlook. First, the production value was low. Additionally, the timing of the lines seemed off. Finally, even though the runtime was only 1 hour and 28 minutes, my entire family agreed that we were all waiting for the movie to end. 

While it had none of the content that I found objectionable in The Haunted Mansion, such as the seances and the possessions, it still is not biblically sound, and for this reason, coupled with the above reasons, I would not recommend this film.

If you are going to watch this film, definitely wait until it is streaming.

About the Movie:

Rating: PG

Release Date: October 20, 2023

Runtime: 1 hour, 28 minutes

Genre: Animation, Comedy

Studio: Sprout Pictures, Melmoth Films, Toonz Media Group, Align, Space Age Films

Director: Kim Burdon, Robert Chandler

Written by: Cory Edwards, Giles New, Keiron Self

Based on the short story by Oscar Wilde

Producer: Robert Chandler, Gina Carter, Martin Metz, Adrian Politowski

Distributed by: Blue Fox Entertainment

The Cast of The Canterville Ghost (2023)

Sir Simon de Canterville voiced by Stephen Fry

Hiram Otis voiced by David Harewood

Lucretia Otis voiced by Meera Syal

Virginia Otis voiced by Emily Carey

Louis Otis voiced by Jamey Schaffer

Kent Otis voiced by Bennett Miller

The Duke of Cheshire (Henry) voiced by Freddie Highmore

The Reverend Chasuble voiced by Toby Jones

The Ghost Catcher voiced by Miranda Hart

The Grim Reaper voiced by Hugh Laurie

Mrs. Umney voiced by Imelda Staunton

The Colonel voiced by Giles New

Marjorie Fairfax voiced by Georgia Small

Professor Borsakov voiced by Keiron Self

Mrs. Borsakov by Lynne Seymour

Lord Monroe voiced by Bill Lobley

Eleanor de Canterville by Elizabeth Sankey

Frequently Asked Questions:

Where can I watch The Canterville Ghost?

The Canterville Ghost was released into US theaters on October 20, 2023. There are no plans for streaming at that time.