Dickens & Rumi
Cover of Alpha

film

Alpha

2018

In the prehistoric past, Keda, a young and inexperienced hunter, struggles to return home after being separated from his tribe when bison hunting goes awry. On his way back he will find an unexpected ally.

Ages 13+Source checked

Why this age? The film contains intense sequences of survival-based violence, animal attacks (including a saber-toothed tiger), and graphic scenes of Keda treating his own broken leg and wounds. Its PG-13 rating reflects this intensity. This is guidance, not a safety guarantee; reading level and family context may differ.

Quick view

At a glance

Recommended age13+

Strongest cautions

  • Frightening scenes4/5
  • Death of a character3/5
  • Violence3/5

Strongest positives

  • Courage & resilience5/5
  • Creativity & curiosity4/5
  • Good role models4/5

What’s in it?

Death of a character3/5
Why this rating?

The protagonist experiences loss and believes his tribe is dead; there are moments of animal death throughout.

Graphic injury2/5
Why this rating?

Features scenes of Keda setting his own broken leg and stitching wounds, showing realistic injury and blood.

Strong language1/5
Why this rating?

Very minimal; most of the dialogue is in a constructed prehistoric language with subtitles.

Religious themes1/5
Why this rating?

Features general tribal rituals and beliefs about the ancestors and the afterlife.

Frightening scenes4/5
Why this rating?

A young protagonist faces isolation, harsh weather, predators, dangerous terrain, and repeated threats to his and the wolf's survival.

Violence3/5
Why this rating?

Hunting, animal attacks, falls, fights, and survival struggles are frequent; violence is mostly action-focused rather than brutal.

What’s good in it?

Courage & resilience5/5
Why this rating?

The protagonist displays extraordinary bravery, overcoming fear and physical agony to survive.

Creativity & curiosity4/5
Why this rating?

Survival requires inventive problem-solving, adaptation, observation, and cooperation with an unexpected animal ally.

Diverse representation1/5
Why this rating?

Features a diverse cast portraying a specific, non-Western prehistoric tribe.

Educational value2/5
Why this rating?

Offers incidental exposure to prehistoric life, hunting, migration, and human-animal relationships rather than formal instruction.

Kindness & empathy4/5
Why this rating?

The central theme is the mutual act of kindness and trust between a boy and a wolf.

Positive messages4/5
Why this rating?

Emphasizes perseverance, empathy, responsibility, cooperation across differences, and hope during hardship.

Good role models4/5
Why this rating?

The protagonist shows immense resilience, growth, and compassion for an injured creature.

Family discussion

Talk about it

Conversation starters based on this title’s published content notes.

  1. What did courage look like in this story? Was being brave always the same as being fearless?
  2. Which moment felt most tense or frightening? What helped the characters handle fear?
  3. Which choice in Alpha would you have made differently, and why?
  4. Who changed the most in Alpha, and what caused that change?
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