The Golden Compass
6.1
The Golden Compass fingerprint
High energy, striking style, no humor.
Energy
Spectacular and tense
Fast from start to finish.
- Spectacle8
- Tension7
- Fast Pace7
Heart
Awe-inspiring
Much of it is about growing up and family.
- Wonder9
- Coming of Age8
- Family Dynamics7
Humor
A little humor
Not a comedy at heart.
- Satire & Parody3
- Wit & Wordplay2
- Physical Comedy2
World
Fantasy, faith and meaning, and politics
Lived-in and easy to get lost in.
- World Immersion9
- Novelty7
- Rewatchability6
Craft
Solid, not remarkable
- Acting7
- Intrigue7
- Direction6
Style
Standout cinematography and score
- Cinematography8
- Music Composition8
- Visual Stylization7
Energy
HighSpectacular and tense
Fast from start to finish.
The Golden Compass is spectacular, tense, and fast-paced.
All energy traits
- Spectacle8Scale and set-piece grandeur.
- Tension7Edge-of-your-seat suspense and pressure.
- Fast Pace7Quick tempo and momentum.
- Adrenaline6High-energy, pulse-pounding intensity.
- Scare5Frightening moments and scares.
- Violence4Physical conflict and intensity.
Related traits
- Uncanny6Eerie, unsettling strangeness.
Heart
MediumAwe-inspiring
Much of it is about growing up and family.
Emotionally, it's awe-inspiring. Much of it is about growing up and family.
All heart traits
- Wonder9Awe, discovery, and amazement.
- Coming of Age8Personal growth and self-discovery.
- Family Dynamics7Relationships and generational ties.
- Pathos6Deeply moving, empathetic emotion.
- Hopefulness6Optimism and uplifting resolve.
- Catharsis5Emotional release and payoff.
- Melancholy4Bittersweet, reflective sadness.
- Wholesome3Heartwarming, uplifting feelings.
- Romance2Love stories and emotional connections.
- Nostalgia2Warmth of memory and retro vibes.
Related traits
- Spiritual9Faith, meaning, and transcendence.
- Philosophical6Ideas about life and existence.
- Character Depth6Rich, complex characterization.
Humor
NoneA little humor
Not a comedy at heart.
Expect a little humor.
All humor traits
- Satire & Parody3Sharp critique and playful imitation.
- Wit & Wordplay2Clever dialogue and verbal humor.
- Physical Comedy2Slapstick and visual gags.
- Dark Humor2Humor from taboo or grim topics.
- Situational Comedy1Humor from everyday scenarios and setups.
- Absurdist Humor1Surreal, nonsensical comedy.
- Cringe Humor0Awkward, uncomfortable laughs.
Related traits
- Eccentricity5Oddball tone and quirks.
World
MediumFantasy, faith and meaning, and politics
Lived-in and easy to get lost in.
Its world is built around fantasy, faith and meaning, and politics. The setting feels lived-in and easy to get lost in.
All world traits
- World Immersion9Depth and sensory richness of setting.
- Novelty7Fresh ideas and invention.
- Rewatchability6Invites repeat viewing.
- Dialogue Centrality4Stories driven by conversation.
- Ambiguity3Open-endedness and uncertainty.
Related traits
- Fantasy10Mythic worlds and magical systems.
- Spiritual9Faith, meaning, and transcendence.
- Politics8Thought-provoking works exploring political themes.
- Social Commentary7Perspectives on society and norms.
- Mystery6Whodunnits and unraveling secrets.
- Psychological5Inner worlds and mind games.
Craft
MediumSolid, not remarkable
The craft is serviceable rather than remarkable.
All craft traits
- Acting7Performance craft and presence.
- Intrigue7Curiosity and investigative pull.
- Direction6Vision and command behind the camera.
- Narrative Structure6Story architecture and form.
- Character Depth6Rich, complex characterization.
- Dialogue Quality5Sharp writing and memorable lines.
- Complexity5Layered plots and ideas.
- Non-linear Narrative1Time-shifts and structure play.
- Meta Narrative0Stories about storytelling.
Related traits
- Novelty7Fresh ideas and invention.
- Fast Pace7Quick tempo and momentum.
- Philosophical6Ideas about life and existence.
Style
HighStandout cinematography and score
Look and sound: the cinematography and score stand out.
All style traits
- Cinematography8Visual composition and camera work.
- Music Composition8Score and musical identity.
- Visual Stylization7Distinctive aesthetic signature.
- Music Centrality7The score or soundtrack shapes the emotional experience.
- Editing6Pacing and structure through cuts.
- Sound Centrality6Sound design as core element.
Related traits
- Spectacle8Scale and set-piece grandeur.
Who it's for
Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every movie. Select a row to see all of them.
About
There are worlds beyond our own. The compass will show the way.
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Sequels and Prequels
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Questions about The Golden Compass
Quick answers from GoodWatch data.
Is The Golden Compass worth watching?
Opinions are mixed, with a GoodWatch score of 52/100 (IMDb 6.1, Rotten Tomatoes 42%, and Metacritic 51). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.
What is The Golden Compass rated?
It's rated PG-13 in the United States. Content advisories: violence and disturbing imagery.
How long is The Golden Compass?
1 h 53 min
The Golden Compass runs 1 h 53 min.
Do critics and audiences agree on The Golden Compass?
Not quite. Audiences rate The Golden Compass higher (57) than critics (47). It's more of a crowd-pleaser than a critics' pick.
Was The Golden Compass a box office hit?
Yes. It cost about $180 million to make and earned $372 million worldwide, 2.1 times its budget.
What language is The Golden Compass in?
It was made in English, with some Icelandic, Russian, French. Produced in United Kingdom, United States.
In how many countries can I watch The Golden Compass?
+86GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for The Golden Compass in 100 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.
What tropes does The Golden Compass use?
TV Tropes lists 36 storytelling tropes for The Golden Compass, including Proud Warrior Race Guy, Zeppelins from Another World, Talking Animal.