Parents' Guide to

The Secret of Roan Inish

By Renee Schonfeld, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 8+

Gentle Irish folk tale of a young girl's island odyssey.

Movie PG 2000 103 minutes
The Secret of Roan Inish Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

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

Community Reviews

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age 7+

Based on 11 parent reviews

Attreed
Attreed Parent of 7-year-old
March 11, 2021
age 7+

Magical mythical Irish storytelling

I saw this film in theaters when I was 21 and was enchanted. As St. Patrick’s Day is approaching I decided to share it with my son hoping that a story intense enough to capture my 21-year-old imagination wouldn’t be too much for my little guy. I’m glad I did. He was spell-bound. The film is very much from the POV of its young protagonist, Fiona, who pieces together stories she’s told by her fascinating community. Fiona is lovely. She’s a great listener and sensitive to things the adults in family miss. She and her teenage cousin show tremendous ingenuity and a willingness to work hard —very empowering for kids. There’s an eerie (spooky even) tone to the film for sure, and it seems like nature may be sinister at first, and that creates tension that is ultimately resolved through understanding. My child is used hearing/reading slower-paced sustained stories and didn’t have too much trouble following the plot. We did pause a couple of times when the characters’ dialect was confusing for him.
jalton
jalton Parent
August 28, 2020
age 5+

Gently moving tale of love

LOVE that this is a kind of mystery fairy tale. But there are no scary jump scenes. Things are just slowly revealed and taken for granted. Not spooky. Lovely. Great for any age. Beautifully told.
See all 11 parent reviews

What's the Story?

After the death of her mother, Fiona's father sends her to a remote Irish coastal village to live with her grandparents. The adventurous 10-year-old closely bonds with her family and explores their old home on an isolated, nearby island. Moved by the legendary stories she hears (including the tale of an ancestor was believed to have been a "Selkie" -- a seal who sheds her skin to become human), Fiona searches for Jamie, her infant brother who was carried out to sea in a cradle years earlier.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (11 ):
Kids say (10 ):

This is a lyrical, quiet movie about a child's faith in miracles. The folkloric tale is spun in an idyllic setting with great respect for the wonders of animals and nature. In his first "family" film, writer-director John Sayles brings to life, and blends, myth, tragedy, and joy. The film will appeal to both children and grown-ups, and can best be enjoyed together.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about folk tales. Why is this movie considered a folk tale? How are such tales passed from one generation to another? What do you think happens to the stories as they are recounted over the years?

  • Why was the sea so important to the people in this movie? Why was it important to Fiona?

  • The filmmakers used music, sound, and close-ups to illustrate the power and vastness of nature. Were they successful? How did each of these devices increase your experience?

  • What other movies have you seen that might be considered folk tales or legends? How do these differ from fairy tales?

Movie Details

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