Beasts of the Southern Wild parents guide

Beasts of the Southern Wild Parent Guide

While this unusual mix of fantasy and drama may appeal to some, others may find it a challenge to connect with this lost child and her dying father.

Overall C

Hushpuppy (Quvenzhané Wallis) may be a strong-willed 6-year-old, but she still feels vulnerable. Living in a trashy old trailer located in a floodplain, the youngster's only hope for support is her father Wink (Dwight Henry). But his failing health threatens to leave her all alone in the world.

Release date June 27, 2012

Violence B-
Sexual Content B
Profanity D+
Substance Use D+

Why is Beasts of the Southern Wild rated PG-13? The MPAA rated Beasts of the Southern Wild PG-13

Run Time: 93 minutes

Official Movie Site

Parent Movie Review

Living on the wrong side of the tracks is usually not considered good, but living on the wrong side of the levee can be downright deadly for the residents who call the low lying land home. Beasts of the Southern Wild mixes the harsh realities of their life in the Louisiana bayou region known as the Bathtub with mythical prehistoric creatures called aurochs.

It is difficult at times to get a grip on this fantasy drama based on the one-act play Juicy and Delicious. Cut off from the rest of the area by the large embankment, these tough and hard-drinking residents face certain flooding when the rains hit. But in school, the teacher also tells her students that melting ice caps will release huge, mean-spirited beasts called aurochs. These hairy, horned, boor-like creatures attack and eat the undefended and vulnerable.

Despite her bravado, Hushpuppy (Quvenzhané Wallis), a strong-willed 6-year-old, feels a little vulnerable. Living alone in a trashy old trailer, she visits her father’s nearby trailer only when invited in for “feed up” time. Her mother has long since run off leaving Wink (Dwight Henry) to care for his daughter alone. Their living arrangements may seem cruel, but in Wink’s mind it is preparation for when he will no longer be there to provide for his daughter.

As a storm approaches many residents of the Bathtub leave, but Wink and Hushpuppy hunker down in their makeshift boat to ride out the deluge. The next morning they steer through the flood waters looking for any other survivors. They find Walrus and Little Jo (Lowell Landes, Pamela Harper) passed out from liquor in their dilapidated dwelling. However, all the alcohol in the world won’t make the water go away or restore this community. And as his health fails and the reality of his impending death sets in, Wink has to find a way to prepare his daughter to live in the world without him and to give her courage to face her fears.

This adapted screenplay’s success at Sundance and Cannes may be surprising considering this is the first film role for both Dwight Henry (a New Orleans’ bakery owner who was talked into auditioning) and Quvenzhané Wallis (who lied about her age in order to try out for the part). However both bring a freshness and passion to the story.

Unfortunately in spite of the young actress in a lead role, this film won’t be suitable for young viewers. Hushpuppy’s life as the lone occupant of her trailer comes to a sudden end after she makes her own dinner, starting the gas stove with a blowtorch. (She does don a helmet before turning on the torch.) Other scenes of a child in peril, abuse and desertion are also portrayed along with uninhibited alcohol use (including a child drinking), frequent profanities and prostitutes.

While this unusual mix of fantasy and drama may appeal to some, others may find it a challenge to connect with this lost child and her dying father.

Directed by Benh Zeitlin. Starring Quvenzhané Wallis, Dwight Henry, Levy Easterly. Running time: 93 minutes. Theatrical release June 27, 2012. Updated

Beasts of the Southern Wild
Rating & Content Info

Why is Beasts of the Southern Wild rated PG-13? Beasts of the Southern Wild is rated PG-13 by the MPAA

Violence: A child is slapped by a parent and later retaliates by hitting and yelling at her father. A child is left on her own when her father disappears. Other scenes of child imperilment are included. Characters ride out a severe storm that floods their community. A man catches and kills a fish using his hands. A group of men blow up a levee using dynamite. Characters scuffle with others on several occasions. Dead and bloated animals are seen. People are forcibly removed from a disaster area. A character coughs up blood. A dead body is placed on a pyre and started on fire. A woman, dressed only in panties, shoots an animal. Blood is shown splattered across the lower half of her body.

Sexual Content: Children go to a brothel looking for one girl’s mother. A man talks about a child’s conception. A woman’s bare back is seen.

Language: The script contains numerous profanities, terms of Deity and some crude sexual terms along with an extreme sexual expletive.

Alcohol / Drug Use: Characters frequently drink and are often portrayed as drunk. A father pours his young child a cup of liquor. Some brief smoking is shown.

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Beasts of the Southern Wild Parents' Guide

How does the community of Bathtub support one another? Why do they continue to live in the area despite the dangers of flooding?

What are the challenges of being a single parent? Do you agree with Wink’s parenting approach?

Home Video

The most recent home video release of Beasts of the Southern Wild movie is December 3, 2012. Here are some details…

Home Video Notes: Beasts of the Southern Wild

Release Date: 4 December 2012

Beasts of the Southern Wild releases to home video (Blu-ray/DVD/Digital Copy) with the following extras:

- Making of featurette

- Theatrical trailer

- Sneak Peeks

- Deleted Scenes with Commentary by Director Benh Zeitlin

- Auditions

- Music

- Glory at Sea

- The Aurochs

Related home video titles:

Another young girl deals with a troubled home life in The Secret Life of Bees. A single mother in Chicago struggles with raising her two small children until she is sent to live with her uncle Down in the Delta.