Story

Kath and Kimderella is a movie featuring the much-loved Australian television characters, Kath and Kim. When Kath (Jane Turner) wins a holiday for two to Italy, she hopes that husband Kel (Glenn Robbins) will go with her on the trip of a lifetime. But Kel has a fear of flying, which stops him from going. Kath reluctantly invites her daughter, Kim (Gina Riley), to join her instead. Sharon (Magda Szubanski), Kim’s second best friend, agrees to come to help with the bags.

When the three women arrive in Papilloma, their holiday destination, they find it isn’t quite what they had imagined. There is poverty everywhere, and their accommodation has been abandoned. They accidentally find new accommodation in the King of Papilloma’s castle, where they are welcomed with a royal reception. The bankrupt King sees Kim as the answer to his financial woes when he mistakes her for a wealthy Australian with royal blood.

Themes

Nothing of concern

Violence

This movie has some violence. For example:

  • Kel and the King have a sword duel over Kath. No-one is hurt, and the fighting is stylised and unrealistic.
  • The Queen of Papilloma has been locked up in the castle because she is ‘crazy’. She sets the castle on fire, gets hit by a large chandelier and is killed.
  • One of the maids tries to kill Kim a few times – for example, by trying to push a boulder onto her and shooting her with an arrow – but Kim escapes.

Content that may disturb children

Under 5

This movie has some scenes that are likely to scare or disturb children under five years. For example:

  • Kath, Kim and Sharon stay in an old castle, which seems to be haunted. There are scary noises and moving eyes in the paintings. It is later found that the castle is not haunted. Rather, the ‘crazy’ Queen is watching Kath, Kim and Sharon.
  • The Queen sets fire to the castle. She’s surrounded by fire while she cackles wickedly. 

From 5-8

Children in this age group might also be disturbed by some of the scenes mentioned above. 

From 8-13

Younger children in this age group might also be scared by some of the scenes mentioned above. 

Over 13

Nothing of concern

Sexual references

This movie has a lot of sexual references and innuendoes. For example:

  • Kim’s real father flirts with a woman, referring to the pool hose as his penis.
  • There are references to Sharon being gay, including other women flirting with Sharon and some play on words about her being gay.
  • The King refers to gay men in a derogatory way. 

Alcohol, drugs and other substances

This move shows some use of substances. For example:

  • Adults drink wine at dinner.
  • Kim and Sharon go out clubbing and return quite drunk after having several cocktails. They are stumbling and slurring their words.
  • Kath and the King smoke on a few occasions. 

Nudity and sexual activity

This movie has some nudity and sexual activity. For example:

  • Kel is shown in the nude from behind in a few scenes.
  • People are shown from behind wearing underwear or very short shorts.
  • Kel sees a therapist about his fear of flying. He is hypnotised. When he wakes up, he is nude and so is the therapist, who is seen fully nude from behind. 

Product placement

The following products are displayed or used in this movie: Nature’s Own, Terry Pattison Chemists, New Idea magazine, Red Dog movie, Masterchef TV series, Nandos and Croc shoes. 

Coarse language

This movie has some coarse language and put-downs. 

Ideas to discuss with your children

Kath and Kimderella is a movie comedy based on the much-loved Australian television sitcom Kath and Kim. Although it’s rated PG, it’s likely to lack interest for children under 10 years, and isn’t recommended for children under 15 years.

The main messages from this movie are about being happy with the life that you have and valuing existing relationships.

Values in this movie that you could reinforce with your children include democracy, equality and loyalty.

This movie could also give you the chance to talk with your children about real-life issues such as the following:

  • Revolution: why are Kim’s actions at the end of the movie important for the people of Papilloma? Why does the king treat his people so poorly?
  • Friendship: do you think Kim and Sharon’s friendship is a healthy one? Why do you think Sharon lets Kim treat her the way she does?

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Raising Children Network is supported by the Australian Government. Member organisations are the Parenting Research Centre and the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute with The Royal Children’s Hospital Centre for Community Child Health.

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