Kensuke’s Kingdom (2024)
The following piece of media is considered secular. As such, it may lack noticeable Christian values and may uphold values that are considered sinful. This review is not an endorsement of this piece of media but has been written to help Christians navigate the secular world and its stories. It is Brainy Pixel’s belief that good, Biblical values can oftentimes still be found in secular media. God is the Author of All Things and has woven His story and values throughout humanity. These articles are intended to search these values and will present our findings honestly. Take heart! There are still some good stories out there!
Summary
Kensuke’s Kingdom is a breathtaking 2023 animated film based on Michael Morpurgo’s 1999 shipwreck adventure novel of the same name. In it, young Michael and his pet dog Stella find themselves stranded after being thrown overboard during a terrible storm. Washed ashore on an unknown island, Michael and Stella meet a Japanese man named Kensuke, who’s been in the untamed wilderness for decades.
Assessment
Kensuke’s Kingdom is a secular film with a lot to offer the audience, both in terms of quality and beauty. The animation style falls somewhere between classic Disney, similar to The Jungle Book, with a heavy splash of Studio Ghibli, blending the two together seamlessly into one gorgeous movie.
The plot follows the overall flow of a shipwreck classic but with expressive characters and a spectacular use of environment for both storytelling and symbolism, the story avoids feeling like a another cheap copy. While story’s overall message does seem to reach towards “nature is pure and innocent while humans are evil”, this is vague enough that it can be flipped into a Christian message of good stewardship without any trouble.
The movie is relatively clean, although it does have some action and tension with it’s only antagonists: a group of poachers. It may be a little intense for some younger children, but overall the movie leans towards uplifting, encouraging, or just simply beautiful.
Light-o-Meter
Writing: 5 out of 7 Little Lights
Filmmaking: 7 out of 7 Little Lights
Acting: 6 out of 7 Little Lights
Age-Appropriateness: Appropriate for intended audiences.
Theological Message: N/A
Overall: 6 out of 7 Little Lights
Talk
This movie is just so freaking gorgeous. Probably one of the prettiest that I’ve seen in a while; with an animated style that kind of hovers between classic British animated movies, old school Disney, and anything from Studio Ghibli. Absolutely worth the audience’s time and money for this factor alone.
While I’d actually be comfortable recommending this movie to the Christian audience simply because it’s beautiful — enjoying beauty in art is, in its own right, a very Christian thing to do — I think it actually has some really positive messages to go along with it. The lesser message would be about kindness and perseverance; Kensuke’s kindness towards Michael and Stella when he didn’t have to is a fantastic example of loving one’s neighbor. On top of that, Michael perseveres through all of these incredible trials all the while never giving up on finding his family, even when he feels hopeless.
All of this being said, I think the movie’s main message for the Christian is actually in the concept of stewardship. Now, since this is a secular movie, I think that it’s intended meta is probably something along the lines of “human are bad, nature is pure and innocent” which in the modern era sometimes comes across as a little “nature worshipping”, particularly with how Kensuke interacts with some of the animals (which can also be interpreted through a biological lens; some of the things he does are pretty straightforward in terms of “Interacting with Wild Animals 101”).
This being said, I think that message can be completely flipped on its head for the Christian, highlighting the differences between good, Biblical stewardship of Creation and cruel, greedy, consumption that only ever takes and never restores. You have Kensuke (and later Michael) who tend to the garden around them, feeding the animals, interacting with them, and taking care of them. Building life with the resources they have around them, but being diligent to feed and tend to the animals around them. Then you have the poachers who kind of waltz into town and wreak all kinds of havoc, obviously just there for selfish, greedy reasons. A perfect counterpoint and opportunity to discuss how the Bible calls Christians to act towards the animals God put us as stewards over.
Overall, I think this is an amazing and beautiful movie with plenty to offer the audience, both Christian and secular.
Where to Enjoy
Amazon Prime Video: Watch Kensuke's Kingdom | Prime Video
Angel Studios: Where to Watch Kensuke's Kingdom | Angel
Apple TV: Kensuke's Kingdom - Apple TV
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