chupa movie review parents guide

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Chupa Parent Guide

There's no avoiding the movie's low budget and clunky dialogue but it's still a sweet, sincere family film that will entertain kids while teaching some useful messages..

Netflix: While visiting family in Mexico, a young boy befriends a mythical chupacabra and has to fight to protect it.

Release date April 7, 2023

Run Time: 95 minutes

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The guide to our grades, parent movie review by savannah sillito.

Alex (Evan Whitten) is a first-generation Mexican American struggling to find his identity. He is bullied at school for being different and is distancing himself from his heritage in order to fit in. Convinced that her son needs to reconnect with his culture, his mom sends him on a trip to Mexico to stay with his grandfather (Demián Bichir) and cousins (Ashley Ciarra and Nickolas Verdugo).

While adjusting to the language and culture, Alex meets a young chupacabra who was separated from its family. While most people don’t believe in chupacabras, considering them to be mythical creatures an American scientist, Dr Quinn (Christian Slater), is on a mission to hunt one down to use its blood for medical research. Alex and his family decide to do whatever it takes to keep the creature, named Chupa, safe and return it to its family.

I could harp on some of the clunky dialogue and subpar acting, but this film doesn’t claim to be anything more than a low budget family flick and it fulfills that purpose perfectly well. Parents should be aware of a little bit of minor profanity and some peril that could be scary to very sensitive viewers. Otherwise, Chupa is a perfectly serviceable adventure story with courageous kids and a cute critter that will entertain children and not annoy adults, which is something just as hard to find as a chupacabra!

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Savannah sillito, watch the trailer for chupa.

Chupa Rating & Content Info

Why is Chupa rated PG? Chupa is rated PG by the MPAA for some action, peril and thematic elements.

Violence: Lucha libre style wresting is seen on TV and some characters wrestle each other. A man kicks another man. A character uses a tranquilizer gun on an animal and threatens people and animals with a cattle prod. There are moments of mild peril. Sexual Content: None. Profanity: The script contains one mild profanity and three terms of deity. There is some mild name calling. Alcohol / Drug Use: None.

Page last updated January 23, 2024

Chupa Parents' Guide

How does Alex reject and then embrace his heritage? How can being a new immigrant be difficult while trying to stay true to your culture while also fitting in to your new one?

Loved this movie? Try these books…

With both Spanish and English text on each page, Don’t Eat Me, Cupacabra! by Kyle and Derek Sullivan tells the story of a chupacabra with a prodigious appetite for goats. Heavy on pictures and light on text, this book is geared at young readers.

Elementary school readers who are curious about the legend of the chupacabra will appreciate What Do We Know About the Chupacabra? Written by Pam Pollack and Meg Belviso, the book was illustrated by Andrew Thomson. Older elementary students can also dig into Christine Ha’s Legendary Beasts: Chupacabra.

Related home video titles:

If you love the “kid finds and protects creature” genre, you can watch E.T. The Extra-terrestrial , How to Train Your Dragon , Pete’s Dragon , The Iron Giant , Lilo & Stitch , Flora & Ulysses , Clifford the Big Red Dog , The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep , and Lyle, Lyle Crocodile .

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Chupa | 2023 | PG | – 1.4.1

Chupa SEX/NUDITY 1

Chupa violence/gore 4, chupa language 1, chupa substance use, chupa discussion topics, chupa message.

Be aware that while we do our best to avoid spoilers it is impossible to disguise all details and some may reveal crucial plot elements.

We've gone through several editorial changes since we started covering films in 1992 and older reviews are not as complete & accurate as recent ones; we plan to revisit and correct older reviews as resources and time permits.

Our ratings and reviews are based on the theatrically-released versions of films; on video there are often Unrated , Special , Director's Cut or Extended versions, (usually accurately labelled but sometimes mislabeled) released that contain additional content, which we did not review.

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Netflix Chupa parents guide: Is Chupa kid-friendly?

By mads lennon | apr 7, 2023.

If you’re looking for a fun movie that the entire family can watch together this weekend, you’re in luck because the new fantasy-adventure film Chupa debuts this Friday, April 7! At just one hour and 35 minutes, it’s the perfect length for a movie night.

Chupa is a new Netflix Original film from Mexican film director Jonás Cuarón, son of Academy Award-winning director Alfonso Cuarón. Cuarón is directing a screenplay by Marcus Rinehart, Sean Kennedy Moore, and Joe Barnathan.

In the movie, 13-year-old Alex finds a young chupacabra on his grandfather’s ranch and names it Chupa. Alex soon learns that Chupa has a connection to his family’s history and bonds with the creature. But when an obsessed scientist (Christian Slater) tries hunting down the animal, Alex must work with his family to keep Chupa safe.

Netflix Chupa parents guide and age rating

This heartfelt fantasy-adventure film is rated PG , meaning it can be watched by just about anyone. PG is one step up from the G rating, so it does mean parental guidance is suggested, and you might want to be cautious before showing the film to young children and toddlers. Chupa received a PG rating for some action, peril, and thematic elements.

“Peril” means there are likely scenes where the main characters are in danger. “Thematic elements” typically refer to mature content or themes that don’t fit under the umbrella of things like sex or violence. Since this is a PG movie, it’s probably very mild content.

If you want a better idea of what to expect from the movie, I suggest watching the official trailer below.

Is Chupa scary?

There might be a few moments in Chupa that could be considered scary to younger viewers since the movie is rated PG for some peril and thematic content, but for the most part, it’s not scary. It’s a fantasy/adventure film.

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The titular beast buddy in “Chupa” is irresistible. Just you try and not to love this puppy-cat with wings, who coos, chitters, and sometimes purrs when he’s not unleashing those bashful eyes. And when Chupa flaps his wings while learning to fly, sometimes we can see their rainbow-colored gloss. Chupa is good PR for a character usually defined by goat killing and sharp fangs, a far cry from the previous movie images of Mexico's mythical el chupacabra.   

Chupa is also one of the only original ideas from this generic family film and exercise in CGI character-making from director Jonás Cuarón . Such a lack of ambition would be less glaring had Cuarón not previously co-written “ Gravity ” with his father, Alfonso Cuarón . Little in this movie, written by Sean Kennedy Moore , Joe Barnathan , and Marcus Rinehart , suggests a similar sci-fi imagination. But there are plenty of references to things of the past: a John Williams-esque score from Carlos Rafael Rivera and a few cameos from “ Jurassic Park ” merchandise in the movie’s 1990s setting. “Chupa” willfully becomes one of those family films that takes plenty from the toy box of cliches left before and hardly gives anything back.  

The boy who initially discovers the movie’s secret creature—sought after by forces of capitalism and science—is Alex ( Evan Whitten ), a loner kid who is bullied by his white classmates in Kansas City. Alex is sent down by his mother (his father died of cancer, a plot point) to Mexico to hang with his former luchador grandfather (Demián Bechir) and his two cousins Luna ( Ashley Ciarra ) and Memo ( Nickolas Verdugo ). But Alex would rather play with his Game Boy, and the language barrier discourages him. Little by little, in one lightly sweet scene after the next, Alex’s hosts get him to try Mexican food, experiment with fireworks, and even learn how to be a luchador, like his father once was.  

Enter Chupa, also on his lonesome, looking for somewhere to belong. He’s being hunted by a tenacious poacher played by Christian Slater , and it’s revealed to us through the movie’s typical expository dialogue that Chupa will have great economic value once captured. Chupa finds his way to the family’s ranch home, and finds a friend in Alex—in one bonding moment, Chupa even shares his food with Alex, a squished rat. Chupa’s presence accelerates Alex’s own emotional story, and the two outsiders learn to stand up for themselves, bolstered by the power of family.  

Part of the movie’s supposed charm is that it’s predictable, with Cuarón mistaking familiar with cute and warm. When it comes to a wash like this movie, maybe it helps to consider what it doesn’t have compared to other animal buddy adventures. There isn’t a sequence where Chupa helps him defeat some bullies, where Chupa skateboards, or a scene where Chupa dances in a McDonald’s . But this list nudges a different problem—this overly simplified story also doesn’t make much room for connectivity. There isn’t a whole lot of time for us to feel their bond or for us to see how Chupa is him, and he is Chupa, etc. “Chupa” can be cute on cue, but its emotional tissue is thin.  

Cuaron is working with very modest set-pieces here, and the small cast is good enough at trying to make Chupa’s make-up of zeroes and ones seem real. It’s a good grab for Cuarón that he has Bechir in particular, who fills cliche emotional scenes and weak thrilling sequences which as much heart and bluster as he can—he puts a sincere smile on moments when talking about his past as a luchador, and then pounds his chest when it’s time for the day to be saved. Bechir fares better than Slater, who merely labors to portray “dastardly” in a course of events that can be predicted beat-by-beat.  

It’s a shame that this well-meaning movie is often so rote, especially as it boasts an intriguing eye from Cuarón, and cinematographer, Nico Aguilar . The two create many flowing sequences with the camera moving between shot styles without cutting, allowing dialogue scenes to go between close-ups and wide shots in one take. It’s a smart way to hold our attention from start to finish in scenes where the script’s dialogue pretends kids can’t handle a little nuance. There’s even a little homage to the famous shot from 1927's "Wings," though that too is a mini spectacle that sells itself short.  

Now playing on Netflix. 

Nick Allen is the former Senior Editor at RogerEbert.com and a member of the Chicago Film Critics Association.

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Film credits.

Chupa (2023)

Demián Bichir as Chava

Evan Whitten as Alex

Christian Slater as Richard Quinn

Ashley Ciarra as Luna

Nickolas Verdugo as Memo

Adriana Paz

Gerardo Taracena

Julio Cedillo as Dr. Juan Carlos Ortega

• Jonás Cuarón
• Dan Zimmerman

Director of Photography

• Nico Aguilar
• Marcus Rinehart
• Joe Barnathan
• Sean Kennedy Moore
• Brendan Bellomo

Executive Producer

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Chupa (2023) Review – a wholesome tale about family, heritage and cute mythical creatures

We review the 2023 Netflix film Chupa, which does not contain spoilers.

Netflix’s Chupa  is an adventure movie based on the legend of the chupacabra  (aka. the goat sucker) . Instead of a blood-sucking monster, the film, directed by Jonas Cuaron , delivers a heartwarming tale about a boy who befriends a mythical (and adorable) creature.

Even before the film came out, many Spanish and Portuguese-speaking netizens were amused, to say the least, by  the title . But the feature itself is nothing short of wholesome. 

Chupa Review and Plot Summary

The film starts with a group of scientists led by Richard Quinn ( Christian Slater ) as they’re exploring a cave in San Javier, Mexico, in 1996. They seem to have found what they were looking for – an adorable little chupacabra cub most said only existed in legends.

It’s a furry cat-like creature with wings and a face that will remind you of Gizmo from Gremlins (the water-free version, of course). 

Before Richard can grab the cub, his much larger and scarier mother appears, growls at the scientists, and runs for it, but Richard and his team give chase. After being hit by a car, the chupacabra is forced to leave her cub behind as she tries to distract the chasers from him. 

We then meet our lead, Alex (Evan Whitten) , a 13-year-old boy living in Kansas City with his mother. At school, he’s bullied for his Mexican heritage. Complicating things further, Alex is still grieving the loss of his dad, who passed away from cancer.

The boy is set to spend spring break at his grandad Chava’s (Demián Bichir) ranch in Mexico with his two cousins, Luna (Ashley Ciarra) and Memo (Nickolas Verdugo) , all relatives he’s yet to meet. 

At the ranch, Alex quickly befriends his two cousins and becomes intrigued by his grandad’s past career as a professional lucha libre champion wrestler. He learns that Chava has been struggling with a memory loss condition and that he has been secretly hiding the chupacabra cub in his barn.

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T he young boy bonds with the little monster and names him Chupa, vowing to protect him from the evil scientist. 

There’s a lot to love about Chupa. To start with, the creature itself is beyond adorable. While the mythical beast it’s based on is a terrifying vampire-like creature, the Chupa presented in this film is simply part of a misunderstood species that needs protection from human interference. 

The story is pretty formulaic, but it’s also done well. Cuarón’s decision to set the film in the mid-90s gives it an air of nostalgia that will undoubtedly appeal to Millenial audiences.

There’s a depth to most of these characters, and it’s impossible not to root for them. Alex is struggling with the loss of his father and uses unhealthy coping mechanisms, while Chava has to deal with the loss of his son and his declining mental faculties.

Even if you take the mythical away, this is a touching story about family, the importance of heritage, and the bonds that matter most to us. 

Is the 2023 movie Chupa good or bad?

While there’s nothing new to the story of a child befriending a mythical creature and protecting it from evil adults, Chupa introduces this heartwarming trope to a new generation. And it does a great job with it.

It’s a good film with a fantastic cast (seeing Christian Slater in a villainous role is always a treat), an adorable rendition of the Chupacabra legend, and, most importantly, it tells a worthwhile story. 

Is Chupa worth watching?

If you’re willing to look past the title mishap, then Chupa  is worth streaming. And despite the aforementioned title mishap, the film is suitable viewing for the whole family.

There’s enough depth in it to keep the adults entertained and plenty of magic to keep the little ones captivated. 

What did you think of the 2023 Netflix film Chupa? Comment below.

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Article by Lori Meek

Lori Meek has been a Ready Steady Cut contributing writer since September 2022 and has had over 400 published articles since. She studied Film and Television at Southampton Solent University, where she gained most of her knowledge and passion for the entertainment industry. Lori’s work is also featured on platforms such as TBreak Media and ShowFaves.

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‘Chupa’ Review: A Terrifying Myth Made Cuddly

On a trip to his grandfather’s ranch in Mexico, a boy makes an astonishing discovery that turns into a family adventure.

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By Concepción de León

Alex is an outcast at his school in Kansas City — for the picadillo he brings for lunch (“It’s just hamburger meat,” he tells one bully), for the video games he plays, and for apparently being the only Mexican kid in the lunchroom.

At home, Alex (Evan Whitten) reacts by rejecting Mexican cuisine and refusing to learn Spanish. When his mother reminds him that he is heading to Mexico to visit his grandfather over spring break, he groans. But the trip surprises him, in no small part because of the adorable mythical creature, a baby chupacabra, he encounters in his grandfather’s barn.

Inspired by the Latin American legend of the bloodsucking creature, “Chupa,” directed by Jonás Cuarón, makes a family adventure out of a traditionally horrifying subject. Set in the late 1990s, the film follows Alex, his grandfather Chava (Demián Bichir), a former lucha libre champion, and his cousins Memo (Nickolas Verdugo) and Luna (Ashley Ciarra) as they try to protect Chupa from capture by an American scientist, Richard Quinn (Christian Slater). All the while, Alex learns to accept and embrace his roots.

Though the characters are charming and well-defined, it’s hard to become invested in their story lines because their relationships are not given enough time to develop. The stakes do not feel high enough, with Quinn seeming more like a cartoon villain than a true menace (it’s not clear what exactly he plans to do with Chupa). And though the concept is promising, and some moments are tender, one wishes the film had delved deeper into the chupacabra myth and the characters’ stories to make for a more satisfying watch.

Chupa Rated PG. Running time: 1 hour 35 minutes. Watch on Netflix .

Concepción de León is a writer and book editor based in New York. More about Concepción de León

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Short takes

Not suitable under 10; parental guidance to 12 (violence, scary scenes, threats)

This topic contains:

• overall comments and recommendations
• details of classification and consumer advice lines for Chupa
• a review of Chupa completed by the Australian Council on Children and the Media (ACCM) on 18 May 2023 .

Overall comments and recommendations

About the movie.

This section contains details about the movie, including its classification by the Australian Government Classification Board and the associated consumer advice lines. Other classification advice (OC) is provided where the Australian film classification is not available.

ACCM review

This review of the movie contains the following information:

• a synopsis of the story
• use of violence
• material that may scare or disturb children
• product placement
• sexual references
• nudity and sexual activity
• use of substances
• coarse language
• the movie’s message

A synopsis of the story

Alejandro (Evan Whitten), aka Alex, is a young Mexican boy living in the USA with his mum. Following the recent passing of his father, Alex, reluctantly, spends his school holidays in his father’s hometown of San Javier with his grandfather/Abuelo Chava (Demián Bichir) and two cousins, Luna (Ashley Ciarra) and Memo (Nickolas Verdugo).

Alex befriends a chupacabra cub and names him ‘Chupa’. Thought to be a mythical creature and to have blood with magical healing abilities, Chupa is hunted by a scientist called Richard Quinn (Christian Slater) and his colleagues. Alex and his family protect Chupa and, in the process, Alex also deals with the loss of his father.

Themes info

Children and adolescents may react adversely at different ages to themes of crime, suicide, drug and alcohol dependence, death, serious illness, family breakdown, death or separation from a parent, animal distress or cruelty to animals, children as victims, natural disasters and racism. Occasionally reviews may also signal themes that some parents may simply wish to know about.

Grief and loss; Death of parent; Animal distress; Racism; Ageing and memory loss.

Use of violence info

Research shows that children are at risk of learning that violence is an acceptable means of conflict resolution when violence is glamourised, performed by an attractive hero, successful, has few real life consequences, is set in a comic context and / or is mostly perpetrated by male characters with female victims, or by one race against another.

Repeated exposure to violent content can reinforce the message that violence is an acceptable means of conflict resolution. Repeated exposure also increases the risks that children will become desensitised to the use of violence in real life or develop an exaggerated view about the prevalence and likelihood of violence in their own world.

There is some violence in this movie, including:

• A large chupacabra growls at Quinn, showing its big teeth then swiping at Quinn with its paws. Quinn is thrown backwards and injured.
• Quinn shoots a flare gun at the chupacabras. The flare hits the larger chupacabra’s wing and it is distressed.
• Both the adult chupacabra and Chupa are hit by a car. They are alive but hurt.
• Frequent reference to, and enacting of, lucha libre fighting.
• Abuelo challenges Alex to a lucha libre fight. An adult is pictured, physically fighting a child in order for him to let his grief out. Alex is pinned by Abuelo. Alex charges at Abuelo from behind and hurls Abuelo off the fighting mat. Abuelo injures his back.
• Quinn shoots Chupa with a tranquiliser gun on two occasions.
• Chupa scratches Quinn’s face.
• Memo bites Quinn’s arm.
• Three large chupacabras attack Quinn’s car.
• Quinn attempts to run the chupacabras over with his car.

Material that may scare or disturb children

Under five info.

Children under five are most likely to be frightened by scary visual images, such as monsters, physical transformations.

In addition to the above-mentioned violent scenes, there are some scenes in this movie that could scare or disturb children under the age of five, including the following:

• Chupacabras are a mythical creature. They look like a very large lion with wings.
• Chupa and the other chupacabras frequently growl, roar and snarl, revealing their big teeth.
• Some wounds, caused by the chupacabras, magically heal.
• A rattle snake is pictured.
• A mountain lion stalks Alex.
• Suspenseful music.

Aged five to eight info

Children aged five to eight will also be frightened by scary visual images and will also be disturbed by depictions of the death of a parent, a child abandoned or separated from parents, children or animals being hurt or threatened and / or natural disasters.

In addition to the above-mentioned violent scenes and scary visual images, there are some scenes in this movie that could scare or disturb children aged five to eight, including the following:

• A bully takes Alex’s Gameboy without asking.
• Alex’s father recently died from cancer.
• Quinn and his colleagues chase the chupacabras through the desert on foot and by car.
• Chupa is separated from his parent.
• Alex is asked to choose a goat to eat for dinner as a joke. In this scene there is a large wooden chopping block and an axe in the background.
• A dead goat is pictured.
• In a TV report, a farmer holds up two dead animals.
• Chupacabras are mentioned to suck the blood from goats. This is not pictured.
• Chupa attempts to bite Alex.
• Quinn hunts for Chupa throughout the film.

Aged eight to thirteen info

Children aged eight to thirteen are most likely to be frightened by realistic threats and dangers, violence or threat of violence and / or stories in which children are hurt or threatened.

In addition to the above-mentioned violent scenes, there are some scenes in this movie that could scare or disturb children aged eight to thirteen, including the following:

• Quinn’s employer visits him and leaves with a threat: “The people I work for don’t deal well with disappointment. Trust me, you don’t want to cross them”.
• A goat rams into Alex’s window at night. Alex is scared and cries out.
• Chupa snarls and chitters at Alex from behind a bush in the dark. Alex is scared and calls out for help.
• Alex wakes up with Chupa in his bed and screams.
• A mountain lion prowls towards Alex. Alex walks backwards towards the edge of a cliff. He is cornered and his only option is to back away on a rusty old pipe that runs over the cliff gully, connecting the two cliff edges. The pipe creaks and cracks. Alex dangles over the gully for a long scene.

Thirteen and over info

Children over the age of thirteen are most likely to be frightened by realistic physical harm or threats, molestation or sexual assault and / or threats from aliens or the occult.

• Nothing further of concern.

Product placement

The following products are displayed or used in this movie:

• Jurassic Park
• The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

Sexual references

There are some sexual references in this movie, including:

• Luna says she is, “obsessed with the Beastie Boys”.

Nudity and sexual activity

There is some nudity and sexual activity in this movie, including:

• Adults wearing lucha libre outfits (spandex pants, a cape, mask and no top).

Use of substances

There is some use of substances in this movie, including:

• A doctor administers an injection in Abuelo’s arm to help him with his pain.

Coarse language

There is some coarse language in this movie, including:

• “Son of a …”
• “He’s so weird”.
• “Don’t even think about going into my sister’s room… she will kill you”.
• “To hell with that guy”.
• There are also some racial slurs, including Alex being called a ‘taquito’ and being mocked for his Mexican lunch by a school bully.

In a nutshell

Chupa is a fantasy adventure movie set in Mexico and uses both English and Spanish languages throughout. The film’s key take-home message is the importance of connecting with one’s family and heritage. Best suited for a tween and up audience, however, parents are cautioned that children are pictured driving a car in several scenes and stealing a car in one scene. Children also play with and teach each other how to use fireworks.

The main messages from this movie are the importance of knowing where you come from; family devotion; dealing with grief; and protecting animals.

Values in this movie that parents may wish to reinforce with their children include:

• Pride of culture.

This movie could also give parents the opportunity to discuss with their children the natural process of ageing, loss and grief, as well as attitudes towards racial differences.

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In Theaters

• Evan Whitten as Alex; Demián Bichir as Chava; Christian Slater as Richard Quinn; Ashley Ciarra as Luna; Nickolas Verdugo as Memo; Adriana Paz as Julia; Julia Cesar Cedillo as Dr. Juan Carlos Ortega

Home Release Date

• April 7, 2023
• Jonás Cuarón

Distributor

Movie review.

Ever since the death of his father, Alex feels disconnected from the rest of the world. At school, he’s bullied for his Mexican heritage and for hiding his face behind his handheld gaming console. At home, he’s got little interest in learning anything related to his father—his heritage included.

Despite his negative feelings on the matter, Alex’s mother decides to send him to San Javier, Mexico, in order to reconnect with his relatives: his grandpa, Chava; and his cousins, Luna and Memo. It’s not long, however, before workers on the family ranch find something strange: a goat, drained of some of its blood.

Memo’s the first to call it as he sees it: It’s the work of the legendary Chupacabra , he says. After all, the name is literally translated as “goat sucker.” But despite Chava’s assurance that such a creature is only a myth, Memo’s right: Alex wakes up one morning soon after that to find a Chupacabra—and a young one at that, it seems—licking a cut on Alex’s hand.

The creature, however, isn’t slurping up Alex’s blood. It’s healing him: As Alex watches, the cut almost instantly closes up afterwards. Soon, Alex realizes that the cub (whom Alex names “Chupa”) has been separated from its family. And as Alex helps the beast get back home, he might just find his own home, too.

But Alex needs to work fast, since he’s not the only one with an interest in Chupa. There’s also the nefarious Richard Quinn, a man seeking out the animal for its aforementioned supernatural healing properties. And it’s clear he’s not just looking for Chupa to lick a wound closed: He wants blood.

Positive Elements

Alex begins to bond with Chupa when he realizes that the little guy has been separated from his family. Since Alex’s father passed away, he’s also felt a bit disconnected from his own family. He doesn’t want to learn about his family’s interests or culture, and when his father comes up, Alex buries himself behind his handheld gaming system to ignore the talk.

However, though Chava attempts to break through to Alex throughout the movie, it’s ultimately Alex’s journey with Chupa that helps him to realize how to let go and face his emotions head on. And after doing that, Alex learns to appreciate his cousins and grandfather, eventually realizing that he’s reconnected with his family.

Chava teaches Alex that it’s more important to face our emotions than hide from them.

Alex and his family fight against a man looking to exploit an animal.

Spiritual Elements

The Chupacabra is, of course, a mythological creature—but in this film, the creature is a real thing. However, its blood has a supernatural ability to heal wounds almost instantly, and we see this happen once. The creature is described as “a vampire that feeds on the blood of goats.”

Chava wears a cross necklace. We see an image of Jesus on a wall.

Sexual Content

Luchadores (professional wrestlers) are seen shirtless and in tight pants.

Violent Content

A Chupacabra’s wing is somewhat burned by a flare. A man’s cheek is scratched by Chupa’s claws. Chupa gets shot by a tranquilizer. An animal is hit by a car. Luchadores wrestle one another. A man is pushed to the ground, and another man is slammed onto the ground by someone. Memo bites someone’s arm.

We see a photo of a goat drained of its blood, and we glimpse some blood on the goat’s neck. Another goat’s tiny puncture wounds are seen healing immediately. Chupa brings a dead mouse to Alex. A mountain lion attempts to attack someone. Someone nearly falls to his death.

Crude or Profane Language

God’s name is used in vain four times. We hear “h—” once. Additionally, we hear an unfinished “son of a … !” twice. Richard says “shoot,” though it may sound like the s-word to some.

Drug and Alcohol Content

Other negative elements.

Alex is bullied.

Chupa shares quite a bit, story wise, with E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial .

Like that story, this one also focuses on a boy who takes it upon himself to help a mythical creature return home to its family before a government agency can nab the creature for itself. But it’s not Chupa (the animal) who is phoning home here: It’s Alex.

As Alex helps Chupa return to his family, he finally begins to finally connect with his own family. And though the general plot for this film could use a bit of workshopping, it was refreshing to see how few issues the PG film had.

Generally, it stays true to that PG rating, with the worst concerns being a dead mouse and a brief picture of a goat with some blood on its neck. However, families should note that God’s name is misused four times.

But despite those issues, the movie remains an easier watch than many other films ostensibly aimed at a family audience these days. Ultimately, Chupa proves that modern movies with few concerns aren’t just myths.

Kennedy Unthank

Kennedy Unthank studied journalism at the University of Missouri. He knew he wanted to write for a living when he won a contest for “best fantasy story” while in the 4th grade. What he didn’t know at the time, however, was that he was the only person to submit a story. Regardless, the seed was planted. Kennedy collects and plays board games in his free time, and he loves to talk about biblical apologetics. He thinks the ending of Lost “wasn’t that bad.”

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Chupa Reviews

Chupa is very well put together, nicely filmed and performed, pays homage to Spielberg early and often – and will engross the children on the couch for 95 minutes, no worries at all.

Full Review | Apr 18, 2023

The film is harmless fun handled well enough thanks to the young cast, solid work from Bichir, and this cuddly winged beast.

Full Review | Original Score: 6/10 | Apr 16, 2023

While Chupa has a lot of heart and a touching bond between the kids and the creature, it falls short in terms of delivering consistent thrills.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Apr 14, 2023

Chupa is not a perfect or even near-perfect film, but its genuine charm and attempt at being culturally-nuanced make it a film worth watching.

Full Review | Original Score: 6.5/10 | Apr 13, 2023

Mexican American audiences in particular may appreciate the celebration of Mexican culture seen through the eyes of a boy raised in the United States, as well as the mix of Spanish and English in the script.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Apr 12, 2023

The characters in “Chupa” are likable and memorable, with a fun dynamic. And Cuarón... creates a rich sense of place here, encouraging the viewers to come to love Mexico as much as Alex eventually does.

Full Review | Apr 11, 2023

While there’s nothing new to the story of a child befriending a mythical creature and protecting it from evil adults, Chupa introduces this heartwarming trope to a new generation. And it does a great job with it.

Full Review | Original Score: 3.5/5 | Apr 11, 2023

Cuarón provides more than just a copycat. It's a soaring adventure film that provides the kind of entertainment for the whole family that has recently been farmed out to franchises.

Full Review | Apr 10, 2023

Despite having a recognizable cast and a promising plot, the film's execution fails to convey a memorable or transcendental experience. [Full review in Spanish]

Full Review | Original Score: 4/10 | Apr 10, 2023

An uneven and somewhat generic film, but it can be appreciated that it is made with honesty and innocuousness. [Full review in Spanish]

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Apr 10, 2023

While Chupa may not be perfect, it does offer plenty of cheer-inducing moments. With this much heart, it’s no wonder that Netflix continues to platform fun adventure films for younger audiences.

Full Review | Original Score: 6/10 | Apr 8, 2023

You find yourself wondering if it restrains its more unique aspects by going one cliché too far, unable to see the depth of its young heroes past the hammy villain getting his inevitable comeuppance.

Full Review | Apr 8, 2023

It has the flavor of a south-of-the-border Amblin movie, aimed at kids, which makes some of the more clichéd elements forgivable.

Full Review | Original Score: 2.5/4 | Apr 7, 2023

The little Chupa was so cute.

Full Review | Apr 7, 2023

A sweet but very minor movie.

“Chupa” willfully becomes one of those family films that takes plenty from the toy box of cliches left before and hardly gives anything back.

Full Review | Original Score: 2/4 | Apr 7, 2023

There isn’t much to this that will appeal to anybody over the age of eight. But the film’s real sin is in how it shortchanges the legend and the Mexicanness of all this.

Full Review | Original Score: 1.5/4 | Apr 7, 2023

A sweet, thoughtful adventure about family, celebrating heritage, and flipping the bird to bad guys who'd pursue magical creatures for money.

Chupa isn’t a perfect film, but it’s a really great kid’s movie that uses fantasy to tell a story about culture and family. With a scheming American scientist thrown in, the film is one I want every kid in my extended family to watch.

Full Review | Original Score: 7.5/10 | Apr 7, 2023

Chupa is in a rush to get to the major points of its clichéd, predictable plot.

Chupa – A KIDS FIRST! Movie Review

An Entertaining And Enjoyable Film That Definitely Captivated Me With Its Imaginative Story, Lovable Characters And Stunning Visuals

Published: may 6, 2023 by: by ashleigh c., kids first film critic, age 19.

Shy 13-year-old Alex flies from Kansas City to Mexico to meet his extended family for the first time. There he meets his grandfather and former lucha libre champion Chava, energetic, wrestling-obsessed cousin Memo, and fearless, hip cousin Luna. But just as Alex begins to get his bearings, he discovers a mythical creature living under his grandfather’s shed: a young chupacabra cub, which he recognizes from stories of the feared, full-grown chupacabra, fabled to feed on farmers’ livestock. Alex soon learns that his new friend “Chupa” has a secret history with his family, and that dogged, dangerous scientist Richard Quinn is hunting the misunderstood creature to try and harness his powers. To protect Chupa from impending danger, Alex sets off on the adventure of a lifetime, one that will push the bonds of his newfound family to the brink, and remind him that life’s burdens are lighter when you don’t have to carry them alone.

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Ashleigh C. comments, “ Chupa  is an entertaining and enjoyable children’s movie that definitely captivated me with its imaginative story and lovable characters… The film boasts stunning visuals, with vibrant colors and creative creature design that I love and believe that they are perfectly suited for young viewers.” See her full review and interviews below.

Ashleigh C.

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 19

Chupa  is an entertaining and enjoyable children’s movie that definitely captivated me with its imaginative story and lovable characters.

The movie follows the adventures of Alex (Evan Whitten), a young boy who discovers a mysterious creature known as the chupacabra, AKA Chupa,  when visiting his family in Mexico. Alex quickly befriends Chupa and, with the help of his new friend, Alex embarks on a wild and exciting journey to protect Chupa from those who would harm him.

Chupa  is a must-see film for children and families looking for an entertaining and meaningful story. The film boasts stunning visuals, with vibrant colors and creative creature design that I love and believe that they are perfectly suited for young viewers. The cast is fantastic, with Evan Whitten delivering a standout performance as both a shy and adventurous Alex, and Christian Slater and Demián Bichir lending their talents to the supporting cast. What really sets  Chupa  apart from others is its heartwarming message about the importance of accepting and protecting those who are different. With its captivating visuals, talented cast, and important message, Chupa is sure to become a new favorite among young viewers.

The movie teaches children valuable lessons about empathy and kindness, while still making its mark as a fun and exciting adventure. Note that this film does contain violent themes and some inappropriate language.

I give Chupa 4 out 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 18, plus adults. Chupa is available on Netflix. Don’t miss it!

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Maxton Hall review: This swoony private school romance makes the grade

Prime Video's series adaptation of Mona Kasten's YA hit "Save Me" stars Harriet Herbig-Matten and Damian Hardung.

Kristen Baldwin is the TV critic for EW

James Beaufort (Damian Hardung) is a star athlete, an heir to his wealthy family’s fashion brand, and so physically perfect he could be mistaken for the younger brother of Michelangelo’s David. Ruby Bell (Harriet Herbig-Matten) is a scholarship student, brilliant and unassumingly beautiful, who works a waitressing job after school to help augment her family’s finances. Ruby thinks James “embodies everything that is wrong in the world of the rich.” James doesn’t even know Ruby exists — until an unexpected encounter throws them together. You know where this is going.

Maxton Hall — The World Between Us follows the YA enemies-to-lovers blueprint to the letter, and that soothing familiarity is its greatest strength. Based on Mona Kasten’s hit novel Save Me , the German-language romantic drama on Prime Video is a swoony, soapy, lushly produced treat that evokes all the right feels, as the kids probably no longer say.

Stephan Rabold/Prime Video

Ruby Bell has one goal in life: Oxford University. As a top student at Maxton Hall, an elite private school packed with kids from rich and powerful families, Ruby doesn’t mind being “invisible” to her uber-wealthy peers because it allows her to focus on her studies. But when she accidentally learns a scandalous secret about Lydia Beaufort (Sonja Weißer), James rushes to protect his twin sister by persuading Ruby — as obnoxiously as possible — to keep quiet. The escalating tensions between Ruby and James result in a comic catastrophe at an important school gala, prompting Maxton Hall’s humorless headmaster (Thomas Douglas) to craft a punishment that forces them to work together. Eventually, their barbed insults soften into cheeky flirting, and the likeliest of unlikely love stories begins.

The titular world between Ruby and James is less about money than it is family, and much of the charm of Maxton Hall comes from time spent with the Bell clan at their humble home. Ruby actually enjoys hanging out with her parents, Helen (Julia-Maria Köhler) and Angus (Martin Neuhaus), and she’s best friends with her younger sister, Ember (the immensely charismatic Runa Greiner), a bubbly and confident aspiring fashion designer. Though Angus suffered an accident that left him in a wheelchair and the family’s bank account is all but bare, the Bells are rich in love. The scenes between Ruby and her family, especially those with Neuhaus’ Angus, radiate a genuine warmth.

The atmosphere at the Beaufort mansion, by contrast, is chilly and harsh. James and Lydia live under the steely glare of their father, Mortimer (Fedja van Huêt), a ruthlessly ambitious and demanding power broker who expects his son to take over the company after attending Oxford. Mortimer all but ignores Lydia, and the twins’ mother, Claudia (Clelia Sarto), never challenges her husband’s severe parenting style. The closest James has to a real father figure is his chauffeur, Percy (Hyun Wanner), a fact that is as tragic as it is ridiculous. Though it’s not as self-aware as the original Gossip Girl , Maxton Hall treats the rarefied world of its wealthy characters as equal parts aspirational and absurd.

As the central couple navigates their class-crossing love story, no romantic trope is left behind: The charged and awkward moment on the dance floor when the music switches from a peppy pop song to a ballad; the constantly interrupted first kiss; the snooty mean girl (Eli Riccardi) who thinks James is hers for the taking. Naturally, Ruby and James teach each other important life lessons: She encourages him to find his true passion; he reminds her that the future isn’t as important as now.

Prime Video

Sure, James’ transformation from arrogant bully to soft-hearted sweetie is whiplash fast, but Maxton Hall knows what its audience wants: #Juby! (#Rames?) The improbable about-face wouldn’t work as well as it does if the leads didn’t have such appealing and authentic chemistry. Herbig-Matten brings a likable sharpness to Ruby, while Hardung reveals the sadness behind James’ icy gaze as he dares to imagine a life away from his father’s control. (One note: Viewers who dislike subtitles can watch Maxton Hall dubbed in English, but be warned, I found the sterile, uncanny smoothness of the dubbed dialogue almost intolerable.)

Six episodes isn’t enough to serve multiple subplots, but Maxton Hall squeezes them in anyway: James’ gay friend Alistair (Justus Riesner) nurses a crush on his classmate, and Lydia frets over a secret romance that could upend her life. Perhaps showrunner Daphne Ferraro is just seeding the ground for a potential second season, as there are two more installments in Kasten’s series: Save You and Save Us . I hope Prime Video greenlights another semester at Maxton Hall ; this broken boy-meets-brainy-girl story is by the book in the best way possible. Grade: B+

Maxton Hall — The World Between Us premieres Thursday, May 9, on Prime Video.

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‘Mother of the Bride’ Review: Brooke Shields Says I Do to Netflix’s Aggressively Inoffensive Rom-Com

Miranda Cosgrove also stars in the respectable yet unremarkable streaming feature, in which a high-strung widow reunites with her ex-flame at her daughter’s destination wedding.

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After “Ticket to Paradise” and “Shotgun Wedding” showed us the different ways in which calamity ensues when planning weddings abroad, Netflix releases “ Mother of the Bride ,” which combines the essential elements of both those recent romantic comedies into one passable package. The far-off setting emphasizes the lavish and luxe, though the narrative is cheaply woven and fairly threadbare. While “Mean Girls” director Mark Waters ’ latest fails to add anything unique to the conversation, it does scrounge up a modest amount of heart when it comes to its saccharine sweet message of never giving up on happily ever after.

Popular on Variety

Interpersonal relationships between the couples don’t hold a modicum of complexity, providing varying degrees of dampened, rushed resolutions. The audience rarely feels the pull of their emotions or the weight of their decisions. The inclusion of a gay couple is welcomed, though the filmmakers don’t do much with that couple, utilizing Clay and Scott primarily to aid Lana’s arc rather than giving them any internality.

Waters falters in exhibiting the nimble visual dexterity of previous projects. There’s no feeling connoted through aesthetic stylization, as when Regina George’s betrayal dawns on Cady in “Mean Girls” or the curse transference between mother and daughter in “Freaky Friday.” There are few grand movie moments to match the heart-swells in “Just Like Heaven” or the red dress reveal in “He’s All That.” The closest we ever get to something of tangible value are a sunset slow dance between the former lovers and copious drone shots of the sprawling resort property in travelogue-style transitional sequences. Perhaps the peppy, occasionally swoony soundtrack married to the perfectly lit imagery is supposed to inspire our connection to the material, but it doesn’t.

Even so, there are a handful of highlights within its algorithm-aided box-checking. Emma is empathetic to her mother’s extenuating circumstances, which is refreshing to see reflected in Robin Bernheim Burger’s writing and Cosgrove’s nuanced, thoughtful performance. Janice’s horny double-entendres (which Harris blessedly delivers with campy aplomb) are hilarious, especially since she’s never even shown kissing someone she’s hitting on, let alone getting her groove on with them. Shields and Bratt have a chemistry that sparks in their stolen looks and vulnerable intimacies, despite an overall lack of burning desire and heat conducted by their connection. It’s fun to see them stretching their muscles by incorporating genre-mandated physical comedy (via recurring clumsy pratfalls) as it helps to endear this cute couple to us.

Still, with its stale sentiments on social media’s toxic culture of likes and superficial depth exploring second chances at true love, the film’s more palatable qualities are needlessly subdued. In fact, it goes out of its way to not offend anyone with delicate sensibilities, whether it be over-explaining motivations or providing forgettable, reductive scenarios. And while a gentle, light-hearted romp is indeed welcomed in these taxing times, there’s much left to be desired from our journey with these likable but under-developed characters.

“Mother of the Bride” is now streaming on Netflix.

Reviewed on Netflix, May 5, 2024. Running time: 88 MIN.

• Production: A Netflix release of a Motion Picture Corporation of America production. Producer: Brad Krevoy. Executive producers: Brooke Shields, Oliver Ackermann, Galen Fletcher, Robin Bernheim Burger, Amanda Phillips, Jimmy Townsend, Vince Balzano.
• Crew: Director: Mark Waters. Screenplay: Robin Bernheim Burger. Camera: Ed Wu. Editor: Travis Sittard. Music: Caroline Ho.
• With: Brooke Shields, Benjamin Bratt, Miranda Cosgrove, Rachael Harris, Sean Teale, Chad Michael Murray, Michael McDonald, Wilson Cruz.

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Mental illness is something we must learn to live with, both personally and in our family and friends. Therapy and medication can sometimes help. Friends stick by friends, through good times and bad. Parents should be present for and supportive of their kids.

Positive Role Models

Aza faces her mental illness varyingly with resignation and courage, but she continues to meet with her therapist and eventually agrees to try a new medication. In coddling Aza, her mother gives the impression that she doesn't believe in her abilities. Daisy supports Aza and is empathetic about her difficulties, but she secretly complains about the toll it takes on their friendship, and her disappointment in their friendship ultimately comes out.

Diverse Representations

The film centers on a teenager with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and anxiety, mentioned in scenes with her psychiatrist. These are depicted as negatively impacting her relationships and life. The main character, her best friend, and her mother are all complex Latina characters. Two boyfriends, less fleshed out but portrayed as caring and having specific talents, are Black. One line is spoken in Spanish. The best friend describes a difficult home life with absentee parents and financial difficulties. She claims her friend doesn't realize her "privileges are like oxygen."

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Violence & Scariness

A teenager living with anxiety and obsessive-compulsive thoughts and behavior regularly gets overwhelmed by negative thoughts. To make herself feel better, she washes her hands, picks at a callus on her finger until it bleeds, changes bandages, and uses hand sanitizer. In some scenes, she puts the sanitizer in her mouth to try to kill bacteria she envisions she's ingested. She's sensitive to noise, imagines infections, believes herself to either be possessed by a demon or to be a demon, and worries she's not "real." Her father died when she was young, and a friend's mother died when he was young -- now his father is also missing. Characters get in a serious car crash and wind up in the hospital. A character is believed to have died via suicide.

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Sex, Romance & Nudity

Teen couples kiss and exchange texts about body parts they like (arms, legs, "butt"). They use language like "hot," "porn music," "d--k pic," and doing "the nasty." Two teens strip down to their underwear to swim in a pool.

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"S--t," "hell," "damn," "anal," "d--k," "penis," "Jesus."

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Products & Purchases

Applebee's, Dr. Pepper, Northwestern University, Subaru, Doritos, Converse, Vans, Burberry, VW, Star Wars. One character comes from a wealthy family and gifts his friend $100,000 in cash and a valuable painting.

Drinking, Drugs & Smoking

A teen is resistant to taking medication, even though her psychiatrist thinks it will help her.

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Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that Turtles All the Way Down is based on John Green 's book about a teenager whose mental illnesses complicate her life and relationships. There's some violence, including self-inflicted, as well as strong language ("s--t," "hell," "damn"), kissing, teens swimming in underwear, and sex-related conversations (being "hot," "porn music," "d--k pic," doing "the nasty," "penis"). The main character, Aza ( Isabela Merced ), regularly gets overwhelmed by invasive negative thoughts. To make herself feel better, she washes her hands, picks at a callus on her finger until it bleeds, changes bandages, and uses hand sanitizer. In some scenes, she puts the sanitizer in her mouth to try to kill bacteria she envisions she's ingested. Aza's father died when she was young, and a friend's mother died when he was young -- now his father is also missing. Characters get in a serious car crash and wind up in the hospital, and a character is believed to have died via suicide. There are messages about learning to live with mental illness, friends sticking by friends, and parents being present for and supportive of their kids. Aza, her best friend, and her mother are all complex Latinas. To stay in the loop on more movies like this, you can sign up for weekly Family Movie Night emails .

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Based on 1 parent review

What's the Story?

Aza ( Isabela Merced ) is a teenager living with anxiety and obsessive-compulsive thoughts and behavior in TURTLES ALL THE WAY DOWN. Her problems were aggravated by the death of her beloved father (Jason Kientz) when she was little. Her mom ( Judy Reyes ) sent her to grief camp, where she met Davis ( Felix Mallard ). Now in high school, Aza and her mom have grown apart. When she's not falling into what she calls her "thought spirals" or meeting with her therapist (Poorna Jagannathan), Aza spends most of her time with best friend Daisy (Cree, who also goes by Cree Cicchino ). When news breaks that Davis' father, a millionaire under investigation for his business dealings, has disappeared, Daisy talks Aza into going to investigate, leading Aza and Davis to rekindle their relationship.

Is It Any Good?

This drama based on popular author John Green's novel is an emotional rendering of mental illness, and its young leads offer a very sympathetic portrayal of teenagerhood. Co-star Cree is especially fun as the fast-talking Daisy in Turtles All the Way Down. She complements Merced's withdrawn, wide-eyed Aza. It's no easy task for a young actor to wordlessly emote as much as Merced is asked to here. Her spirals into panic are voiced over by internal monologue, and they're visualized as flashes of light and images of what she's worrying about (bacteria) combined with screeching noises. Whether the depiction rings true for you could depend on your own experience, but it's an effective way to convey the distress that the character repeatedly feels.

Though this is certainly the epicenter of the story, the film also weaves in romance, a mystery, and a lot of everyday teen experiences. The latter are the most fun, real parts of the film as viewers watch Merced and Cree rock out in the car, shoot the breeze over burgers at Applebee's (purchased with a coupon, always), or banter in the school cafeteria. Repeat viewings would help catch more of the witty asides, as when Aza googles "cute things to text a boy," or Daisy quips, "You don't have to wait for a boy to ask you out -- what are you, a handmaiden?" One quibble: A disproportionate number of teen movies seem to have millionaire characters who are able to whisk friends away on a private jet or host blow-out pool parties at their parents' mansions. It undermines the connection viewers might feel with these otherwise relatively realistic characters.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

Families can talk about movies based on books. If you've read the book upon which this is based, how did the film compare? Are movie adaptations ever as good or better than the book?

What is obsessive compulsive disorder? How does it manifest for Aza? Where could you go to learn more about the disorder?

What did you think of the way the film provides scenes of Aza's past and future in the opening and closing of the film? Did you want more (or less) information?

In a key scene, Daisy accuses Aza of being self-centered and also privileged. Did you think her criticisms were fair? Why or why not?

How would you describe the tone of the movie? Does it stay the same throughout? Is this realistic to life's ups and downs?

Movie Details

• On DVD or streaming : May 2, 2024
• Cast : Isabela Merced , Cree Cicchino
• Director : Hannah Marks
• Inclusion Information : Female directors, Female actors, Latino actors, Female writers
• Studio : HBO Max
• Genre : Drama
• Topics : Book Characters , Friendship , High School
• Run time : 111 minutes
• MPAA rating : PG-13
• MPAA explanation : thematic material involving mental illness, some strong language and sexual references
• Last updated : April 30, 2024

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