Reviews: The BFG (2016) Movie Review / Ending Explained / FAQs
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This in-depth review of The BFG (2016) explores its story, characters, and scares in detail, offering insights for every horror fan.
The BFG (2016) – A Whimsical Giant-Sized Tale with a Heart Full of Dreams
Steven Spielberg’s The BFG (2016) transforms Roald Dahl’s beloved children’s book into a visual fairy tale full of wonder, warmth, and gentle humor. With a towering but kind-hearted giant at its center and a curious young girl as his companion, this film blends fantasy and friendship in a way that’s both family-friendly and visually stunning. While the pace may be slower than modern blockbusters, the story’s heart and magic offer something timeless for viewers of all ages.
Plot, Themes, and Character Development
The story follows Sophie, a brave and lonely orphan who lives in a world that seems too quiet and too small. One night, she encounters a mysterious figure outside her window — a 24-foot-tall giant who swiftly whisks her away to Giant Country. Rather than a frightening kidnapper, the Big Friendly Giant (BFG) turns out to be a gentle soul who catches and crafts dreams, speaking in a delightfully scrambled vocabulary of his own invention.
As Sophie learns more about the BFG, she also discovers that not all giants are kind. The other inhabitants of Giant Country — such as the intimidating Fleshlumpeater and Bloodbottler — are much larger and far more dangerous, preying on human children when the BFG isn’t looking. With courage, cleverness, and a little help from the Queen of England, Sophie and the BFG hatch a plan to stop the child-snatching giants once and for all.
The film weaves in themes of loneliness, courage, and the power of dreams. Both Sophie and the BFG are outsiders, misunderstood and overlooked, yet together they find a bond that’s unbreakable. Their friendship becomes the emotional core of the story, proving that strength doesn’t always come from size — sometimes it’s the heart that matters most.
Performances, Visuals, and Cinematic Magic
Ruby Barnhill delivers a standout performance as Sophie, bringing intelligence, charm, and emotional depth to the role. She holds her own against an entirely CGI co-star, which is no small feat for a young actor. Mark Rylance’s portrayal of the BFG — a combination of motion capture and heartfelt voice work — gives the character a gentle wisdom and quirky charm that makes him instantly lovable.
Visually, The BFG is a masterclass in digital world-building. Giant Country is rich with strange landscapes, colorful dream jars, and whimsical touches that feel straight out of a storybook. The film balances scale expertly — making everyday objects enormous from Sophie’s perspective, while also portraying the giants in a way that feels both surreal and grounded.
The cinematography shines during dream-catching scenes and nighttime sequences across London. The use of light, color, and movement brings the dream world to life without overwhelming the senses, keeping the tone magical rather than frantic.
Directing Style, Strengths, and Weaknesses
Steven Spielberg approaches The BFG with a delicate touch, favoring emotional connection and world-building over action. His direction emphasizes storybook pacing, visual wonder, and the quieter moments of connection between characters.
Strengths:
Strong performances from both leads
Beautiful digital artistry and imaginative design
Faithful to the tone and message of the original book
Deep emotional themes about friendship and courage
Weaknesses:
Slow pacing may not hold the attention of very young children
Limited conflict until the third act
Supporting giants feel more comedic than menacing
While it may not deliver high-speed thrills, the film succeeds as a bedtime story brought to life, perfect for families seeking heartfelt entertainment with an uplifting message.
Final Verdict & Score: 6/10
The BFG earns a 6/10, delivering a gentle, charming fantasy filled with visual magic and emotional warmth. Though the pacing might feel too relaxed for some, its sincerity and enchanting atmosphere more than make up for its slower moments. Spielberg’s adaptation remains faithful to the heart of Dahl’s original — a tale of two unlikely friends who teach each other the meaning of bravery, belonging, and believing in dreams.
The 6/10 rating reflects the film’s emotional charm, visual excellence, and faithful adaptation, while considering its gentle pacing and minimal tension.
Who Will Enjoy It
Families and children who love imaginative fairy tales
Viewers who enjoy character-driven fantasy stories
Fans of Roald Dahl looking for a faithful, magical adaptation
Who Might Be Disappointed
Audiences expecting fast-paced action or high-stakes drama
Very young children who prefer energetic storytelling
Viewers unfamiliar with the source material looking for spectacle over story
The BFG (2016) – Most Searched FAQs Answered
Explore the most asked questions about this magical giant adventure.
What is The BFG (2016) about?
The BFG tells the story of Sophie, a young orphan who is swept away to Giant Country by a kind-hearted giant known as the BFG — short for Big Friendly Giant. Unlike other giants, the BFG doesn’t eat humans. Instead, he captures dreams and delivers them to sleeping children. Together, Sophie and the BFG must find a way to stop the other, much larger giants from continuing their nightly hunts.
Who plays the BFG in the movie?
The BFG is portrayed by Mark Rylance using motion capture technology. His performance combines gentle warmth, humor, and emotional depth, bringing the beloved character to life with expressive gestures and a soft, quirky speech pattern unique to the giant’s invented language.
Is The BFG based on a book?
Yes. The film is based on the popular children’s novel written by Roald Dahl. It stays true to the heart of the original story while enhancing the dreamlike visuals with modern cinematic effects.
What makes the BFG different from the other giants?
The BFG is smaller, kinder, and more thoughtful than the other giants in Giant Country. While the other giants are cruel, loud, and enjoy causing harm, the BFG prefers to catch dreams and protect children. He lives quietly, avoids violence, and speaks in a whimsical, mixed-up way that reflects his kind but unusual nature.
What are dream jars in The BFG?
Dream jars are magical glass containers used by the BFG to store captured dreams. Each jar contains a glowing, floating essence representing a specific type of dream — whether joyful or terrifying. The BFG mixes and matches dreams to deliver them to children during the night.
Why are the other giants a threat?
The other giants — like Fleshlumpeater, Bloodbottler, and Bonecruncher — are much larger and far more aggressive. They sneak into the human world at night to snatch and eat children. Their behavior not only puts humans at risk but also isolates the BFG from them due to guilt by association.
Is The BFG scary for kids?
While the film contains some suspenseful moments and mildly frightening giants, it is mostly light-hearted and gentle in tone. The scary parts are balanced with humor and friendship, making it suitable for children who can handle brief tension without overwhelming fear.
What is the tone of the film?
The movie is whimsical, warm, and emotional. It focuses on the unlikely friendship between Sophie and the BFG, blending quiet character moments with grand fantasy visuals. While slower-paced than some children’s films, it prioritizes heart over action.
What is “gobblefunk” in The BFG?
“Gobblefunk” is the name given to the playful language invented by the BFG. It includes creative, mashed-up words like “whizzpopping,” “snozzcumber,” and “frobscottle.” These terms add to the film’s charm and reinforce the BFG’s unique personality.
Does the Queen of England appear in the movie?
Yes. In a key part of the story, Sophie and the BFG travel to Buckingham Palace to convince the Queen to help them stop the other giants. The Queen becomes an unlikely ally and plays a major role in the plan to capture the child-eating giants.
The BFG (2016) – Ending Explained
Here’s how the magical adventure concludes. Minor spoilers ahead.
In the final act, Sophie and the BFG take their case to the Queen, who is initially stunned but agrees to help. With her support, a plan is launched to capture the evil giants using military helicopters, baited dreams, and clever trickery. The giants are taken to a remote island where they can no longer harm anyone — and without access to their favorite food source, their reign of terror ends.
With peace restored, Sophie is given a home at the palace, where she is treated like family. Meanwhile, the BFG returns to Giant Country, continuing his quiet life of delivering dreams. Though they part ways, Sophie and the BFG remain connected in spirit, both forever changed by their friendship.
The film closes on a hopeful note, suggesting that even the loneliest souls — whether orphaned children or misunderstood giants — can find their place in the world through kindness and courage.
Sources Used to Shape This Review
Insights in this review are drawn from director interviews, fan commentary, production notes, and long-form breakdowns across genre-specific platforms. Content is written uniquely and reviewed for accuracy.
- The BFG Rating Scores
- Our Score: 6/10
- Overall Score: 6.50/10
- IMDB: 6.3/10
- MetaCritic: 6.6/10
- Rotten Tomatoes: 7.4/10
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