Parents' Guide to

Nimona

By Jennifer Green, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 11+

Book-based tale has both violence and positive messages.

Movie PG 2023 101 minutes
Nimona movie poster: Shapeshifter and knight to the rescue.

A Lot or a Little?

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

graphic novel </a>that might receive renewed interest from the adaptation.</p> ">
  • Nimona: Goldenloin the Knight.
  • Nimona: A monster and her knight.
  • Nimona: Fugitives.
  • Nimona: Cityscape.

Community Reviews

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age 10+

Based on 31 parent reviews

raeymond U.
raeymond U. Adult
July 14, 2023
age 13+

Not for young audience

Good movie but some suggestive language that kids wouldn’t get and were confused why she said “little cold in here” and looked down in the beginning. Good storyline and great animations. Would not recommend to young children despite its PG rating.
Tyrannapus
Tyrannapus Adult
July 4, 2023
age 10+

Specific age range depends on the kid, but most mid-older range young kids should be fine

Minus a few jokes that don't land (for me, a 19 year old, not a target demographic), this movie was amazing, even more so than I had expected (being a triumph that it even got released) For the sake of this site I'll say Bal is a pretty great role model, and learns through his journey from his experiences and time with Nimona that systems are flawed and can't just be fixed by outing one bad person at the top. Like, this movie goes surprisingly deep into some anti-establishment/authority themes in a great way which really works and shows the impacts of hate-media, specifically on marginalised groups - primarily classism with Bal being a common man getting his chance at being a knight taken away from him, along with plenty of allegorical subtext with Nimona's character. Won't get spoilery though. Movie will probably make you cry tbh
See all 31 parent reviews

What's the Story?

In NIMONA, Ballister Boldheart (Riz Ahmed) is the sole knight not born into his position serving the institute director (Frances Conroy) and queen (Lorraine Toussaint) of his futuristic medieval world. When his sword kills the queen upon the celebration of his knighthood, he runs away and becomes a wanted fugitive. Teenager Nimona (Chloë Grace Moretz) comes to his rescue. She's a shape-shifter called a "monster" by most, and Bal isn't sure at first whether she's actually evil, as others seem to think. He accepts her as his sidekick in his attempt to survive long enough to prove his innocence. Meanwhile, the director's knights, led by Bal's true love, Ambrosius Goldenloin (Eugene Lee Yang), are hot on their trail.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (31 ):
Kids say (31 ):

From its storybook opening credits to its graphic novel end credits set to an empowering punk anthem, this is a fast-paced animated film with important messages about inclusivity. Nimona is different, and her unique abilities make her an outcast. The film asks us to empathize with the outcasts and see their point of view. When we empathize and see others as friends, our world expands. This is shown literally through a glittery, sharp-shaped, and medieval walled kingdom where citizens live in constant fear of outsiders and what's beyond their walls, based on fear-driven rumor and lore. Sound familiar?

What's so effective about Nimona's message is that the animated characters, especially those voiced by Ahmed, Moretz, and Yang, are believable, and their battles feel vaguely relevant to our modern lives. When Nimona questions the whole system of a civilization built on fear, or when the director suggests that anyone in your life, including familiar members and neighbors, could be the enemy, it's disorienting. Cable news has nothing on these two fearmongers. The fact that the two men harbor a deep love and Nimona has faced rejection her whole life adds to the story's messages of acceptance. The sarcastic banter between upright Bal and rebel Nimona, and Todd's bro antics keep the film's heavier themes light. Its diverse cast and thematic layers make Nimona meaningful for a wide range of viewers.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about how each of the main characters learns and expresses empathy in Nimona. How does this represent an evolution for each, and how does it serve them and others well?

  • In what ways is Nimona a typical teenager? Could you see any of your own life experiences in hers? How do teens "shape-shift" in their own ways?

  • Do you see any parallels to our own modern-day society in Nimona's questioning of the "institute" rather than the "director," or in citizens being fearful of what lies "beyond the wall" of their own city?

  • The creators of Nimona call the futuristic world they've created "techno-medieval." Why? Did it remind you of settings you've seen in any other animated films?

  • How does the use of color complement the characters and tone of what's happening in different scenes in this movie?

Movie Details

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