Labyrinth
The brief
Jim Henson's final directorial effort is a fever dream of practical puppetry and 80s excess, anchored by David Bowie's magnetic Goblin King who seems to exist in his own glittery dimension. The film moves at a brisk fairy tale pace through increasingly bizarre set pieces, with Jennifer Connelly's earnest performance grounding the surreal puppet chaos around her. It's deliberately theatrical and campy, leaning into its artifice rather than trying to convince you the world is real. Perfect for anyone who loves The Dark Crystal, classic Muppet energy, or just wants to watch Bowie strut around in tight pants singing about the power of voodoo.
The verdict
If you love imaginative fantasy worlds, David Bowie's otherworldly charisma, and Jim Henson's spectacular puppet artistry, this is a delightfully bizarre adventure that delivers pure 80s magic. If you prefer realistic storytelling or can't embrace deliberately campy theatricality, the artificial fairy tale tone and surreal puppet chaos will likely feel too silly and over the top.
Watch with
- 👨👩👧👦 Perfect for families with kids who love fantasy
- 👥 Great nostalgic trip for 80s kids with friends
- ⚠️ Some scary puppet moments may frighten very young children
Heads up
- Baby appears to be in danger throughout (moderate)
- Some creepy puppet/goblin imagery (brief)
- Mild fantasy peril and maze dangers (brief)
Credits
- Director
- Jim Henson
- Cast
- David Bowie, Jennifer Connelly, Toby Froud, Shelley Thompson, Christopher Malcolm, Brian Henson, David Shaughnessy
Official synopsis
Frustrated with babysitting on yet another weekend night, Sarah, a teenager with an active imagination, summons
