8.0
Viewer Rating
Combines user and critic ratings from four sources
Bao (2018)
Bao (2018)
Overview
An aging Chinese mother suffering from empty nest syndrome gets another chance at motherhood when one of her dumplings springs to life as a lively, giggly dumpling boy.
Starring Cast
Where to watch
Rating & Dimensions
Bias Rating
Analyzing...
Center
Political: Center
Diversity: Moderate
Viewer Rating
8.0
Overview
An aging Chinese mother suffering from empty nest syndrome gets another chance at motherhood when one of her dumplings springs to life as a lively, giggly dumpling boy.
Starring Cast
Where to watch
Detailed Bias Analysis
Analyzing...
Center
Primary
The film explores the universal emotional journey of a mother struggling with her child's independence and the empty nest syndrome, resolving through themes of acceptance and family reconciliation rather than promoting a specific political ideology.
The film authentically portrays a Chinese-Canadian family, with casting that reflects the cultural specificity of its story. The narrative explores universal themes of parenthood and cultural identity without explicitly critiquing traditional identities.
Secondary
Bao is a short film centered on a mother-son relationship and the challenges of empty nest syndrome. It does not include any identifiable LGBTQ+ characters or themes, focusing instead on universal familial dynamics and cultural elements. Therefore, an evaluation of its LGBTQ+ portrayal is not applicable.
The animated short film "Bao" does not feature any identifiable transsexual characters or themes. Its narrative centers on a mother's relationship with her sentient dumpling-son, exploring themes of maternal love, letting go, and the empty nest syndrome.
The movie does not contain any action or adventure elements.
Bao is an original animated short film with no pre-existing source material, historical figures, or legacy characters. All characters, including the dumpling boy, were created specifically for this film, thus precluding any gender swaps.
Bao is an original animated short film with characters created specifically for this production. There is no prior source material, historical record, or previous installment from which characters' races could have been established and subsequently changed.
Viewer Rating Breakdown
User Ratings
7.5
7.6
Critic Ratings
8.8
N/A
More Like This
Leans Progressive
8.0
Turning Red
(2022)
Political: Leans Left
Diversity: Moderate
Leans Progressive
8.5
Soul
(2020)
Political: Center
Diversity: High
Leans Traditional
10.0
Marginalia
(2025)
Political: Center
Diversity: Low
Leans Progressive
7.8
Luca
(2021)
Political: Leans Left
Diversity: Moderate
LGBTQ: Positive
Progressive
7.4
Out
(2020)
Political: Leans Left
Diversity: High
LGBTQ: Positive
Center
7.3
Animaniacs: Wakko's Wish
(1999)
Political: Center
Diversity: Moderate
Center
8.3
Marcel the Shell with Shoes On
(2022)
Political: Center
Diversity: Moderate
Leans Progressive
6.8
Trolls: It Takes Three
(2023)
Political: Leans Left
Diversity: Moderate
Center
7.0
Scooby-Doo! in Where's My Mummy?
(2005)
Political: Center
Diversity: Moderate
Leans Traditional
7.1
Dragons: Dawn of the Dragon Racers
(2014)
Political: Center
Diversity: Low
Center
6.7
22 vs. Earth
(2021)
Political: Center
Diversity: Moderate
Leans Traditional
7.5
Arthur Christmas
(2011)
Political: Center
Diversity: Low
Center
7.7
Lou
(2017)
Political: Center
Diversity: Moderate
Traditional
6.5
The Santa Clause
(1994)
Political: Leans Right
Diversity: Low
Leans Traditional
7.1
Scooby-Doo! Music of the Vampire
(2012)
Political: Center
Diversity: Low
Center
7.3
Orion and the Dark
(2024)
Political: Center
Diversity: Moderate
Center
8.0
Kiff Lore of the Ring Light
(2025)
Political: Center
Diversity: Moderate
Center
8.7
Foe Paws
(2000)
Political: Center
Diversity: Moderate
Center
6.9
Party Central
(2014)
Political: Center
Diversity: Moderate
Progressive
8.0
Nimona
(2023)
Political: Strong Left
Diversity: High
LGBTQ: Positive
Female Combat: Yes