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 theatres when it plays a limited run on 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.
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