Parents' Guide to

Wonder

By Betsy Bozdech, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 10+

Earnest, emotional book adaptation has strong messages.

Movie PG 2017 113 minutes
Wonder Movie Poster: Auggie stands against a blue background holding astronaut's helmet, which is the O in the title "Wonder"

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Community Reviews

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age 8+

Based on 77 parent reviews

sofiac7
sofiac7 Adult
August 29, 2020
age 10+

Great messages throughout + unnecessary drunkenness

My son loved the book, "Wonder," and this seemed like the perfect way to deepen his understanding of what Auggie had to go through. I would definitely have given it a 5-star rating, if it were not for the gratuitous wine and drunk/passed out/minor drinking leftover alcohol scenes. I actually dropped from 5 to 3 simply because of Isabel's (the mother) enthusiastic: "Let's get drunk!" quote. Why is this necessary in a children's/family movie? Is there an alternative message the director wants to get out, that the author maybe did not intend?
hellofriends_it is me you
hellofriends_it is me you Parent of 4, 6 and 12-year-old
November 9, 2022
age 3+

You should watch this movie
See all 77 parent reviews

What's the Story?

In WONDER, August "Auggie" Pullman (Jacob Tremblay) is about to start fifth grade -- marking his first time at a school with other kids, rather than learning at home from his mom, Isabel (Julia Roberts). That would be plenty nerve-wracking on its own, but Auggie has more to worry about than the average new middle schooler: Born with a genetic condition, he has a significant facial difference. Twenty-plus surgeries in his short life have left him able to hear, see, and speak like other kids, but he definitely doesn't look like them. And since he can't wear his beloved astronaut helmet all day at school, he has to face them all in person. It's far from easy: Kids call him names ("Darth Hideous," "Gollum") and bully him, and even his parents can't talk away the hurt. But Auggie isn't the only one facing challenges. His older sister, Via (Izabela Vidovic), feels like their parents (Isabel and Nate, played by Owen Wilson) barely pay attention to her because Auggie needs so much from them. Auggie's new friend, Jack Will (Noah Jupe), genuinely likes Auggie but doesn't know how to speak up for him in school. Via's former best friend, Miranda (Danielle Rose Russell), seems tough on the outside but is grappling with difficult family issues. And even Julian (Bryce Gheisar), who bullies other kids, has his own problems. As Auggie navigates his first year of school, he -- and all the people around him -- learn to think more of others and find happiness inside themselves.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (77 ):
Kids say (200 ):

Based on R.J. Palacio's hugely popular, award-winning novel, this drama is earnest and sweet, with great messages about kindness, friendship, and acceptance for its tween target audience. Whether they've read the book or not, kids are sure to appreciate Wonder's take on how hard it can be to fit in and feel good about yourself, no matter what you look like. By mirroring the book's structure and giving viewers first-person glimpses of how the world looks to characters other than Auggie (Via, Miranda, and Jack Will all get their moments), director Stephen Chbosky helps build empathy, which is an invaluable skill for viewers of all ages. That said, the perspective-switching isn't consistent enough for it to totally work as a storytelling device in the film; plot details are brought up and then not really given closure, and the choice of why some characters get to tell their own stories while others don't isn't really clear.

But thanks to an emotionally resonant script and strong performances by the cast, quibbles like that can be mostly ignored. Roberts and Wilson are well-matched as Auggie and Via's parents, Tremblay emotes well even under heavy prosthetics and makeup, and Vidovic pulls off the challenge of playing a moody teen without making you roll your eyes at her. In the supporting cast, Hamilton's Daveed Diggs is engaging as Auggie's believably inspiring teacher, Mr. Browne; Mandy Patinkin is all grandfatherly charm as school director Mr. Tushman; and Jupe is excellent as Auggie's friend Jack Will. A scene in which he reacts to the aftermath of a hallway fight is an astounding bit of child acting. In the end, while it's not hard to see where Wonder is going, getting there is a valuable journey, especially for kids.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about how the other kids react to Auggie in Wonder. What do they learn about him over the course of the movie? What do you think you'd do in their position?

  • How does being bullied affect Auggie? How did you feel about Julian by the time the movie was over? What role does peer pressure play in some of the bullying? How would you handle the situation that Jack Will faces?

  • How does the story show the importance of empathy and perseverance? Why are those important character strengths?

  • If you've read the book, how do you think the movie compares? Which parts were the same? Which were different?

  • How do you think this story might be different if the characters weren't, in general, so privileged? What advantages does Auggie have based on his background? Is it OK that he's portrayed by an actor who doesn't have a facial difference in real life?

Movie Details

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