Grow * A Heartwarming Story About a Little Girl’s Quest to Win a Pumpkin Growing Contest and Find Her Mom
October 15th, 2025
Grow is a tale of pumpkins, sabotage, and unlikely family bonds. A no-nonsense farmer living in the self-proclaimed ‘Pumpkin Capital of the World’ takes in her estranged niece Charlie. Charlie decides to enter the local pumpkin growing competition where she and the other pumpkin growers face fierce competition, sabotage and a genetically engineered rival. As she nurtures her pumpkin ‘Peter’ and watches him grow, so does her bond with the townsfolk, farm and her new way of life.
KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Jackson N. comments, “Grow is a heartwarming story about a little girl’s dream to win a pumpkin-growing contest. With awesome tales of love, laughter, and the power of persistence, Grow encases Halloween magic with some sweet family elements to make it a blast for all ages.” Harper B. adds, “Grow is a wonderful film about family, friends, and loyalty. I like this movie because the lessons of keeping promises run deep. I also love this film because it kept me on my toes and I never knew what would happen next.” See their full reviews below.
Grow
By Jackson N., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 12
“It’s better to do the right thing than the easy thing.” Grow is a heartwarming story about a little girl’s dream to win a pumpkin-growing contest. With awesome tales of love, laughter, and the power of persistence, Grow encases Halloween magic with some sweet family elements to make it a blast for all ages.
Grow takes place in the fictional town of Mugford, UK – a small town obsessed with a BIG annual pumpkin contest. The prize would change the lives of anyone in the town, except the Smythe-Gherkins, 50 time annual winners of the challenge. Charlie (Priya-Rose Brookwell) has been sent to live with her Aunt Dinah (Golda Roshuevul) in Mugford since her mother disappeared and decides to put her green thumb to the test by entering the contest. And she will do everything in her power to win so she can use the prize money to find her mom. But with the competition so fierce, does this newcomer even stand a chance?
While Halloween is often celebrated with a bunch of horror films and stories, Grow is a story about family connection and a sweet Halloween film for all ages. Grow is filled to the brim with great actors, like SAG-nominated Golda Roshuevul (Bridgerton), Nick Frost, who will play Rubeus Hagrid in the upcoming Harry Potter TV series, and Jeremy Swift (Higgins in Ted Lasso). It also includes new faces, like up-and-comer Priya-Rose Brookwell, who I predict we will see a lot more of after her first starring role here. As Charlie, she is a perfect example of persistence. She really thinks she will win, even in the face of countless unknowns.
The humor in this film is outstanding, with hilarious moments and awesome nods to other movies, like when a gruesomely stabbed pumpkin ends up in the owner’s bed in a nod to The Godfather. The set and costume designers have created bright, fun costumes and larger-than-life pumpkins that add vibrancy to the neutral background of the town and farm. Hats off to Director John McPhail for a non-scary Halloween movie that families can enjoy.
The main message of Grow is that nothing is impossible and, if you keep pushing for your dreams, you can make it to the top. This film includes themes of love, friendship, and persistence. Parents should be warned that Grow includes some scenes with suspenseful moments, including seeing a hooded man attack multiple pumpkins, and a theme of parental abandonment.
I give Grow 4 out of 5 pumpkins and recommend it for ages 5 to 12, plus adults. Check it out in theaters when it plays a limited run through Fathom Events starting on October 17, 2025. Happy Haunts Everyone!
Grow
By Harper B., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 13
Grow is a wonderful film about family, friends, and loyalty. I like this movie because the lessons of keeping promises run deep. I also love this film because it kept me on my toes and I never knew what would happen next.
Grow is about a girl, Charlie Little (Priya-Rose Brookwell), who wants to find her mother, Polly Little (Kathryn Drysdale). However, Charlie is sent to her aunt, Dianah Little (Golda Rosheuvel), who lives on a farm. The town is crazy about pumpkins and a pumpkin contest; some of the neighbors have insane ideas about how to grow a pumpkin. Charlie needs the prize money of $100,000 in order to find her mother, so she enters the contest, and has help from previous winner, Arlo (Nick Frost).
This film is phenomenal. It is wonderful in every aspect, from the setting to the writing and the acting. I love the setting because it made me feel as if I was really there. It is filmed in Scotland. The actors are phenomenal – my favorite character is Dianah Little because of how much patience she has no matter what happens. The background music enhances the film extremely well. It made me feel things I would not have felt otherwise. Going into the film I had very high expectations for it and it fulfilled all that I thought it would be.
The film is also directed very well, particularly by how relationships are shown between Charlie and Dianah Little. When they are separated, they do not feel whole. They have a very deep connection to each other. Polly’s and Dianah’s relationship is also worth noticing. They both are from the Little family, but Polly is popular and Dianah knows how to work hard. Many siblings will relate to this as we see one of them in the spotlight while the other works behind the scenes, without being noticed. We also see Charlie break a promise to her friends, family, and herself. She knows what she must do, but the question is, will she do it?
The film’s lessons are about restoring relationships and being loyal to your friends, family, and even a pumpkin.
I give Grow 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 12. Grow will be released in theaters October 17, 2025.
In season two of “Wizards Beyond Waverly Place,” Billie grapples with the fact that being part of the Russo family might be more complicated than she thought —especially now that she’s not the only wizard in the house. Thanks to Roman and Milo’s new magical powers, Justin is now tasked with training three young wizards for the Family Wizard Competition. As the stakes rise inside and outside the family, a mysterious new threat emerges—one that could unravel the Russos forever.
Scott’s move to a new town becomes a heart-pounding adventure when he accepts a dare to camp in the Shaggy Creek woods. Armed with his fearless friend Hailey, he must confront the legend of a terrifying Bigfoot creature lurking in the shadows.
The story follows Scott (Hudson Hensley), who moves to a new town for his mom’s (Allee Sutton Hethcoat) job, leaving everyone he knew behind without a word. When he moves, he’s told that the woods behind his house have a Wildman living there that attacks children who enter, and he soon is forced to see if the tale is real.
I especially enjoyed how the camera moves alongside Scott as he runs. Another technical aspect that adds to the eerie feeling is the sound design. The more the movie shows the woods, the more sounds of the Wildman are heard, increasing the fear that something is there. The acting is exceptional, especially Hudson Hensley and Allee Sutton Hethcoat as Scott and Charlotte. Hensley perfectly encapsulates what it’s like for a child to move, and I found myself understanding where he was coming from. Hethcoat had me fully convinced she loved her child more than anything else. These performances contributed to a heartwarming and emotional experience for me.
The screenplay is very well written and perfectly blends the fear of leaving with finding a monster together. These overlapping themes add so much to Scott’s character arc and it is very satisfying to watch the story unfold.
The Wildman of Shaggy Creek is not just another movie about a legendary creature, it is so much more. This movie is part mystery, with a heartwarming twist, and a side of totally awesome. I loved every minute!
The Wildman of Shaggy Creek is positive, respectful, and uplifting. It is adventurous and a tiny bit spooky all thanks to director Jesse Edwards. Hudson Hensley, as Scott, is great – he’s funny and relatable, and when he’s scared, you can really feel it. Hailey is smart, brave, and downright hilarious! She’s definitely the brains behind most of their plans. Hailey’s older brother, Zach (Brycen Patterson) plays the mean bully impeccably. The foggy woods look like a real supernatural and eerie place. The awesome lighting and the low, spooky music that builds tension are the perfect combination for the epic jump scare. My favorite part is the scene where Scott and Hailey set up lanterns and bells in the trees to trap the creature; it is mysterious and exhilarating. You’ll have to watch to see if their trap works!
The film’s message is about courage, bravery, and friendship. Scott learns that change can be scary but also exciting, and sometimes it helps you grow and become braver. Accepting change means being open to new experiences and challenges, even if they seem strange at first. It also shows how working together and trusting your gut can help you solve problems. There’s nothing inappropriate in it; just some jump scares that are fun, and not too terrifying.
I absolutely love The Wildman of Shaggy Creek. It has amazing acting, a warm storyline, relatable characters, and music that perfectly match the mood.
Kudos to Jesse Edwards for writing and directing this film and to Hudson Hensley for perfectly portraying his character, Scott. He really captures the emotions of a sad kid who has just moved to a new state and his character’s progression is amazing. He and Ayla Bullington, who plays Hailey, complement each other nicely. It’s incredible watching them work together; they just click. I also love the way Bryson Patterson and Hudson Hensley work together – they perfectly show the rivalry between their characters and how their relationship grows over time. While the film has some characteristics of a horror story, it’s a warm-hearted story about family and friendship that makes you feel happy. Jose Skertchly perfectly matches the music to the mood throughout the film.
The Wildman of Shaggy Creek is a fresh and spooky new twist on the legendary story of Bigfoot. This movie mixes mystery, suspense, and just the right amount of creepiness to get you in the mood for Halloween. At its heart, it’s about learning to face your fears, even when you’d rather run the other way. With some talented rising actors and a plot full of surprises, this film offers a fun ride for kids and families who like stories that blend adventure with a little bit of fright.
If I had to pick one quote to encapsulate this film, it’s when Scott is in the car and his mom (Alee Sutton Hethcoat) says how happy she is that he has some new friends. Scott responds with, “I liked the friends I had.” This perfectly shows the way he feels like he is being pushed into a new life that he didn’t ask for. It makes Scott’s character relatable, especially for kids who have had to move or start at a new school. He feels stuck, angry, and honestly, can you blame him? The suspense is handled well for the most part, with eerie sounds, mysterious shadows, and lots of moments where you wonder what’s about to happen. However, some scenes feel a little forced, like the filmmakers were trying too hard to build tension by keeping things hidden for too long. Also, the school set looks a bit unrealistic because there aren’t enough students or cars to make it feel like a real place. These small issues don’t ruin the story, but they do stand out.
Two orphaned sisters navigate a town full of people torn straight from fantasy and fairy tales, confronting heroes and villains alike, while investigating the mystery of their missing parents. “The Sisters Grimm” blends discovery, fantasy and adventure to deliver important lessons for all ages.
I love The Sisters Grimm, because of the subtle romance and excitement. I will definitely be looking forward to the second season.
I absolutely love The Sisters Grimm. It has amazing graphics and a fantastic storyline. I must also comment on the great voice acting, because the voices perfectly match the characters.
The graphics are amazing. They perfectly capture the facial expressions of the characters and give insight into their nature. You can see the amount of effort put into creating the backgrounds, because everything looks so real. The storyline is fantastic and I love all the twists and turns. It definitely had me on the edge of my seat and looking forward to seeing a second season. I like how every episode ends on a cliffhanger, making you feel the need to watch more. In six episodes they have you rooting for the heroes.
I love the way Ariel Winters and Billy Harris work together, they show Sabrina and Puck’s relationship quite well. My favorite part is when Puck comes in with a barrage of fairies and saves the day. I even found myself shocked at some points.
