3 Reasons ‘My Penguin Friend’ Will Warm Your Family’s Heart

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1. It Was Inspired by an Incredible True Story

My Penguin Friend was inspired by the amazing story of Joao Pereira de Souza, a retired bricklayer who discovered a Magellanic penguin covered with oil in 2011 near his home in Brazil, nursed it back to health, and formed an extraordinary bond with the creature. His 2-year-old grandson, unable to pronounce "penguin," named it "Dindim." 

Magellanic penguins typically migrate between their breeding grounds along the coast of Argentina and their feeding grounds in the warmer waters of Brazil, traveling as much as 5,000 miles round trip. 

For eight straight years, Dindim visited de Souza for a few months, left him, and then returned. The unique, heartwarming tale captured headlines around the world. 

Mario Castro, a local fisherman, told the Global Citizen, "The funniest thing is that the penguin might stay here for a week, then it walks down to the beach and leaves, it spends 10, 12, 15 days and then comes back to the same house. They [penguins] are supposed to join together and find some path to the south, but he doesn't."

Photo Credit: ©Roadside Attractions

2. It's about Hope and Healing

In My Penguin Friend, actor Jean Reno portrays a man (also named Joao) who has spent years grieving the death of his young son, who drowned at sea when the two were boating. (The film's first few minutes show a younger Joao laughing and playing with his family and son, concluding with the tragedy.) 

As in real life, Joao discovers a penguin drenched in oil and cleans it before releasing it into the wild, only to be surprised when it returns. As in real life, the penguin is named "Dindim." (In the film, a small neighborly girl gives the bird its name.)

"It needs to go home," Joao says. 

"He's lucky he found you," a fisherman tells Joao.

Realizing the penguin views him as family, Joao builds the penguin a small outdoor home. He takes Dindim into town, where young and old alike marvel at the creature, having never seen one up close. Joao, though, insists Dindim is not a pet.

"Not my pet -- my friend," he says, correcting a townsperson. "He chooses to be with us."

Nevertheless, Joao plays with it, pets it, and takes care of it -- much like a dog or a cat. 

Shortly afterward, a group of marine biologists encounter Dindim on the beach, tag the penguin, and release it back into the wild. Later, they come across a viral video featuring the tagged penguin and are astonished by its loyalty to Joao and its remarkable comfort around people. The plot takes a turn when the marine biologists' boss asks them to capture Dindim for research. Thankfully, the film has a happy ending. 

My Penguin Friend is a story that spotlights hope and healing amidst tragedy. Toward the end of the film, Joao's wife tenderly addresses their painful past when she tells him, "I never thought it was your fault," referencing their son's death. Joao even gets a chance at redemption when Dindim is injured and lost at sea, leading him and several friends to launch a daring rescue mission.

The film beautifully illustrates how animals, like Dindim, can be profound sources of companionship, comfort, and healing, showcasing one of God's great blessings.

Photo Credit: ©Roadside Attractions

3. It's Safe for the Whole Family

My Penguin Friend is rated PG for "thematic content," a catch-all category that primarily references the film's opening moments, where a young boy is lost overboard during a storm. (We learn he drowned.) Other than that, the film is one of the most kid-friendly real-life films you'll ever watch—free of coarse language, sexuality, and violence. We even see Joao's wife and neighbors in a church, praying when Dindim goes missing. 

The film is a heartwarming tale about a man and an unexpected animal companion, offering a fresh perspective that sets it apart from typical pet-focused movies centered on dogs. Its plot is similar to that of The Stray (2017), a true story about a stray dog that helped a struggling family find hope and healing.

Besides, watching penguins waddle with their adorable, clumsy gait is pure fun. That alone makes My Penguin Friend a delightful experience for the whole family.

Rated PG for thematic content. Coarse language: None.

Entertainment rating: 4 out of 5 stars.

Family-friendly rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars.

WATCH: My Penguin Friend | Official Trailer | In Theaters August 16

Photo Credit: ©Roadside Attractions