Raya and the Last Dragon - 2021

Movie Info
Rating: PG
Age-appropriateness: suspenseful fighting scenes, some violence, uses of magic throughout
Overview: In a realm known as Kumandra, a re-imagined Earth inhabited by an ancient civilization, a warrior named Raya is determined to find the last dragon. In a broken world, people must learn to trust one another so that they can unite to build a better place to live.
Themes: peace, unity, diversity, betrayal, trust, sacrifice, Satan/evil, magic, father/daughter, kindness, bravery, greed, tricky people, leadership, hope, reconciliation, selfishness
The Quick 3
Ask these quick questions to hit the major themes of the film.
1. Trust. How easy or difficult it is for you to trust other people? What is the importance of people trusting each other?
Throughout her journey, Raya learns who to trust. Her fiercest enemy, Namaari of Fang, betrayed her trust at a young age. Raya learned how bad it hurts when someone breaks her trust - and it makes her hesitant to trust others again. Raya goes on to tell Sisu, "That's how the world is now. You can't trust anyone." Her father once tells her, "If we don't stop and learn to trust one another again, it's only a matter of time before we tear each other apart."
2. Unity/Diversity. Why do you think it's hard for people to get along with one another? What is so beautiful about different people coming together as one?
In Kumandra, the land was whole and all kinds of people lived together harmoniously. The various lands (Tail, Talon, Spine, Fang, and Heart) were all unique, yet they all lived together in unity. Chief Benja dedicated his life to uniting the people once again. He said, "We can tear each other apart, or we can come together and build a better world."
Check out this article about How to Talk to Your Kids About Diversity.
3. Restoration. How do you know you can trust God's Word? What will the world look like when God restores all of the brokenness that you see in the world?
Just when it appeared that the Druun had won, when evil had the final say, the Dargon Gem was reassembled and the people from every land united into one. Because they trusted one another, the land was healed and everyone's body was restored. Revelation 21:5 promises a day when God will restore our land and He will fix all of the brokenness in this world, once and for all. God's Word says, "And the one sitting on the throne said, 'Look, I am making everything new!' And then he said to me, 'Write this down, for what I tell you is trustworthy and true.'" God's Word can be trusted. And God promises to restore all of the brokenness in the world.
After The Movie Discussion Guide
Follow this 5-10 minute discussion guide to drive an in-depth conversation.
1. In Kumandra, the land was whole and all kinds of people lived together harmoniously. The various lands (Tail, Talon, Spine, Fang, and Heart) were all unique, yet they all lived together in unity. Chief Benja dedicated his life to uniting the people once again. He said, "We can tear each other apart, or we can come together and build a better world." Why do you think it's hard for people to get along with one another? What is so beautiful about different people coming together as one?
Check out this article about How to Talk to Your Kids About Diversity.
2. Throughout her journey, Raya learns who to trust. Her fiercest enemy, Namaari of Fang, betrayed her trust at a young age. Raya learned how bad it hurts when someone breaks her trust - and it makes her hesitant to trust others again. Raya goes on to tell Sisu, "That's how the world is now. You can't trust anyone." Her father once tells her, "If we don't stop and learn to trust one another again, it's only a matter of time before we tear each other apart." How easy or difficult it is for you to trust other people? What is the importance of people trusting each other?
3. Dragons were magical creatures that brought the people water and rain and peace. The spirit of Sisu lived on inside of a gem. The magic of the dragons made the water come to life, lifting it in the air and moving it around in supernatural ways. Every dragon has a unique magic. When a dragon touches parts of the gem, they receive various supernatural powers. In a way, the people worship and pray to the dragons. What part of the movie were true and which parts do you think were just pretend? Was there any magic in the movie that you think was real?
Here's an article about How to Talk to Your Kids About Magic.
4. The Druun were evil, magical beings that consumed everything they came into contact with. The Druun spread like wildfire and brought destruction everywhere they went. Sisu explains, "They are the opposite of dragons: instead of bringing water and life into the world, they are like a relentless fire that consumes everything in its wake until there's nothing left except ash and stone." John 10:10a describes that there is an evil force in the world - his name is Satan - and his purpose is to bring destruction: "The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy". Why do you think there are evil things in this world? What questions do you hav e about Satan?
Here's an article about How to Talk to Your Kids About Satan/Evil.
5. Instead of uniting after the sacrifice of Sisu, people fought each other in order to possess the magic gem of the last dragon. Everyone became enemies and all of the people were divided. God's Word encourages us to avoid divisions between people, but rather tells us to unite under the love of Jesus. Romans 16:17 says, "And now I make one more appeal, my dear brothers and sisters. Watch out for people who cause divisions and upset people’s faith by teaching things contrary to what you have been taught. Stay away from them." Are there any divisions between you and other people? How can you unite with that person instead of being apart and fighting with them?
6. Long ago, when evil threatened the land, the dragons sacrificed themselves to save all of the humans. John 10:18 explains, "No one can take my life from me. I sacrifice it voluntarily. For I have the authority to lay it down when I want to and also to take it up again. For this is what my Father has commanded.” Jesus gave Himself up so that our sins could be forgiven and we could be with God in heaven, forever! Why do you think the dragons were willing to sacrifice themselves? Why do you think Jesus sacrificed Himself for you?
Minute By Minute Guide
Use this break down of the entire movie in addition to the “After the Movie” discussion guide. Great for repeat viewings.
:01 Raya opens the movie asking the question, "I know what you're thinking...How did this world get so broken?" God's Word tells us that the world we live in is broken to. It is because of our sin. Every single person has sinned, and the result is that the world isn't like it was originally created to be. Sin is anything less than God’s best for us - whether it’s a behavior, thought, or an action not taken. How might the sins of people lead to a broken world? In what ways do you sin?
:10 Chief Benja tells Raya that he invited all of the lands together for a meal. Raya cannot believe it, since they are all enemies. Her father goes on to explain how each people group makes assumptions about the others, and they are often wrong. Have you ever made an assumption about a person before meeting them? Did you ever get to know them better to find out if your assumptions were true?
Check out this article about How to Talk to Your Kids About Diversity.
:15 Namaari, of Fang, betrays Raya. She earns Rayas trust only to get access to the gem of Sisu. Namaari and the people of Fang were intending to trick Chief Benja and the people of Heart all along. Has a close friend ever betrayed your trust? How did it feel to be tricked by someone that you cared about?
:20 Chief Benja sacrifices himself in order to save his daughter. He gives her a piece of the gem of Sisu, telling her that there is still hope in the world. He tells her to be a light in the darkness and to not give up on other people. In Matthew 5:14-16, Jesus said, "You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.” How can you "be a light" in a dark world? How can you make sure that you never give up hope, and that you never give up on other people?
:32 The Tail Chief was hoarding the gem and became of victim of her own traps. She lived the rest of her life stuck in a cave, protecting a gem from others. Instead of living her life and making an impact in the world, the Tail Chief hunkered down and lived alone with her gem. Her greed ended up keeping her from living a truly fulfilling life. Greed is having a selfish desire for money and toys. 1 Timothy 6:10 says, "For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows." When do you find yourself feeling greedy? How might that greed keep you from living the life God meant for you to live?
:42 Sisu, Raya, and Boun talk about the destruction of the Druun. All three characters had family taken away from them because of the Druun. It's not fair and it's incredibly unkind. Why do you think bad things happen to good people? What types of unfair things do you see happening in the world?
:47 Talon is full of con artists. Raya even runs into a con baby, who works with animals to try to trick Raya and steal her Dragon Gem pieces. The Talon Chief even goes on to trick Sisu, who is learning for herself that not everyone can be trusted. How can you tell if someone is trying to trick you? Have you ever met a tricky person?
Check out this article about How to Talk to Your Kids About Tricky People.
:54 Sisu realizes that it's hard to be a person. She sees that people lie to get what they want. Raya tells the world is broken, so you cannot trust anyone. Sisu responds, "Maybe the world is broken because you don't trust anyone." How do you think your lack of trust in others affects the world around you? Do you think it's necessary to not trust anyone? Why or why not?
1:06 While everyone sees Fang as the enemy, Sisu insists on believing the best in them. Sisu says that, "Deep down, I've got a feeling she wants to fix the world as much as we do." Raya and the rest of the lands have given up on Fang and only sees them as their enemy. But not Sisu. She believes the best in everyone. Jesus also saw His enemies different than the rest of the people. In Matthew 5:44, Jesus says, "But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." Who are some people you'd consider your "enemies" right now? How can you love them and pray for them like Jesus would?
1:12 Virana became so inwardly focused. She only cared about Fang, and worried about everyone else fighting against them. She feared that she wouldn't receive forgiveness, so she tried to accumulate more and more power. Her actions have become very selfish. Selfishness is caring more about yourself than you care about others. When have you become selfish and cared more about yourself than others? How did everything turn out when you made those selfish decisions?
1:24 In order to fix the world, Raya pleads that the diverse group of people come together as one. She urges everyone to trust and forgive one another. She's willing to take the first step and show trust to someone, even when it's really hard. Raya sacrifices herself and she turns into stone. She trusts that Namaari will do the right thing. This act is incredibly brave. Bravery is having the courage to make good choices, even when you’re afraid. Have you ever had to be brave and "take the first step", like Raya did? When have you had to trust someone, when you didn't know how things would turn out?
1:30 Just when it appeared that the Druun had won, when evil had the final say, the Dargon Gem was reassembled and the people from every land united into one. Because they trusted one another, the land was healed and everyone's body was restored. Revelation 21:5 promises a day when God will restore our land and He will fix all of the brokenness in this world, once and for all. God's Word says, "And the one sitting on the throne said, 'Look, I am making everything new!' And then he said to me, 'Write this down, for what I tell you is trustworthy and true.'" God's Word can be trusted. And God promises to restore all of the brokenness in the world. How do you know you can trust God's Word? What will the world look like when God restores all of the brokenness that you see in the world?