THE IMAGINARIUM OF DOCTOR PARNASSUS
A dazzling, dark wager with the Devil—for adults only.
Should You Watch It?
If you want filmmaking that seizes your attention, this earns its four stars. Terry Gilliam’s sets, settings, acting and dialogue are endlessly captivating. The story’s exploration of imagination—and the ways imagination can mislead and trap us—is also fascinating.
But this is not an edifying fantasy. Its central wager with the Devil, occult material, ugly images, violence and foul language make it unsuitable for children and young teens. More troublingly, the movie seems to suggest that everyone is trapped in purgatory, endlessly making wagers with the Devil, without showing the truth that could set them free.
So, if you are an adult who can engage dark, surreal material with discernment, this may be worth seeing. For a family movie night, choose something else.
The Story
NO SPOILERS — WE KEEP THE SURPRISESIn modern London, an ancient carnival cart becomes the Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus. Anyone who passes through its full-sized mirror enters a world shaped by personal imagination.
Dr. Parnassus, an Eastern mystic centuries old, once made a bet with Nick the Devil. Now his daughter is about to turn 16, and the old wager threatens her future. When Nick offers Parnassus one more chance, the doctor and his companions begin a dangerous contest for her freedom.
Is It Any Good?
Four stars means this is a remarkable piece of filmmaking, even though its worldview and content are deeply troubling. The sets and settings are captivating, the acting holds your attention, and the dialogue is engaging. Gilliam creates both ugly images of death and dying and surreal images meant to be beautiful.
The film is also intellectually fascinating in its treatment of imagination and its pitfalls. Yet the whole experience can feel like a bad LSD trip or a superficial re-imagining of Dante’s Inferno. Some viewers will love it and try to figure it out; most people will not bother.
The Worldview
The movie’s central idea is a world governed by imagination, wagers, bets and choice. Dr. Parnassus has made a bargain with Nick the Devil, and the film presents a dark cycle in which people repeatedly risk losing to him. Its pagan and occult framework is very strong, with Eastern religious references and a general atmosphere of spiritual confusion. There are also a few Christian and biblical reflections, but they are not very powerful.
The film appears to suggest that the world is only a story someone, somewhere, is telling—a form of nominalism. At one point, the Devil seems to renounce occultism, while Parnassus longs to escape wagers, bets and choice. Yet the movie never offers a clear vision of the truth that can liberate people. Its references to Jesus, a cross-like street sign and a cathedral do not overcome the larger spiritual darkness.
The film’s preoccupation with imagination and competing visions can prompt useful questions about truth. Scripture gives a firmer answer: “and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:32).
The Content Guide
The specifics — spoilers included by nature — so you can judge for your own family.
Content Summary
Very strong pagan worldview, with lots of occult and Easter religious references and a general tone of a bad LSD trip with a few Christian, biblical reflections that are not very powerful, plus some homosexual cross dressing references; 21 obscenities and 7 profanities; strong violence includes man is found hanging almost dead from a bridge, people beat up on man and one another, Russian criminals want to kill scam artist, people push and shove, people hit other people, 16-year-old girl hit several times, people fall from great heights, several hangings, and several rioting scenes with small crowds; some cross dressing, kissing, young girl asks man to have intercourse with her but nothing shown; woman supposedly nude covered with long hair, but it turns out to be a body stocking; extensive alcohol use; smoking and rolling a cigarette that could be marijuana; and, gambling is a central motif.
Talk About It
Questions for the drive home, the dinner table, or the youth group.
The film treats imagination as powerful but dangerous. How can you test what you imagine against what is true?
Philippians 4:8 · John 8:32The story centers on wagers with the Devil. What does Scripture say about the dangers of making room for evil?
Ephesians 4:27 · James 4:7The movie presents people as trapped in a dark cycle without offering a clear way out. Where does the Bible locate true freedom?
Galatians 5:1 · John 8:36The film includes Christian and biblical reflections that are not very powerful. What makes a biblical truth more than an attractive idea?
James 1:22 · Matthew 7:24–27The Final Word
This is dazzling, imaginative filmmaking, but its pagan and occult worldview, violence, foul language and disturbing imagery make it unsuitable for children and young teens. Adults who can engage it thoughtfully may find the journey worthwhile. For everyone else, choose something cleaner from our.
WORTH THE TRIP — ADULTS ONLY
