OPINION: Forty years later, is David Bowie's Labyrinth even appropriate for kids?

JORGE SOLISSun, June 28, 2026 at 10:00 AM UTC

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David Bowie played Jareth The Goblin King (Image: Getty)

The musical fantasy, Labyrinth, is a perfect example of a movie that could only have been made in the '80s.

Released on June 26, 1986, the Jim Henson-directed cult classic celebrates its 40th anniversary. At the time, Henson became well-known as the legendary American puppeteer/creator behind The Muppets and Sesame Street. With Star Wars creator George Lucas, collaborating on the project as an executive producer, Henson focused on his visual style in live-action and puppeteering. Due to Henson's success with his children's properties, Labyrinth was promoted as a family picture.

However, Henson was interested in making a coming-of-age film about teen angst and the loss of innocence. This came after David Bowie fans realized his real name and why he changed it.

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The 80s classic follows 16-year-old Sarah Williams (Jennifer Connelly), who is struggling with her parents' divorce. After Robert splits with Linda, he starts a new family with Sarah and his son, Toby. Unhappy at home, Sarah cannot stand being around her stepmother and her half-brother.

Additionally, she becomes frustrated with babysitting, so much so that Sarah refuses to handle any more of Toby's constant crying. She harshly wishes that Toby be taken away by the goblins from her book, turning her into the antagonist.

Jennifer Connelly played Sarah in the Jim Henson movie (Image: Getty)

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Two years before Labyrinth came out, babysitters were seen as heroines. Chris Parker (Elisabeth Shue) kept the Anderson kids safe in Adventures in Babysitting. Even Laurie Strodie (Jamie Lee Curtis) took down the Boogeyman to save the kids in 1978's Halloween. Sarah stands out because she starts out making bad choices and ends up meeting Goblin King Jareth (David Bowie).

The late David Bowie had a natural charisma and a magnetic stage presence thanks to his Ziggy Stardust performance. Jareth had a mix of androgynous glam-rock style, with his heavily contoured makeup and form-fitting leather outfit. And still, the Goblin King has a manipulative charm and undeniable confidence that Sarah gravitates to.

Before Jareth offers Sarah 13 hours to solve his labyrinth and find her missing brother, Bowie breaks into song with Magic Dance. Jareth is undoubtedly trying to seduce Sarah with his hip swings and dramatic lunges. Jareth is sensual toward her, yet there are still moments of deep tenderness toward Sarah.

He continues with his seduction as he sings the romantic ballad, As The World Falls Down, to her during the masquerade ballroom sequence. This is a slow and elegant waltz with dreamy lighting as Jareth displays his admiration toward Sarah.

David Bowie and Jennifer Connelly appeared in Labyrinth (Image: Getty)

When Sarah finally decides to save her brother, she tells Jareth, "You have no power over me," signaling her transition from a naive girl to an empowered young woman. She gets the thrill of being around the bad boy, without losing herself to him.

The mature themes may have flown over the heads of children, who were the original viewers when the movie first came out. But as the movie continues to be rediscovered, especially by an older generation, that was meant to be the main audience, the themes stand out as if Henson had always planted them there.

The push-and-pull dynamic between Sarah and Jareth has spawned debates among fans. The exact nature of Jareth's feelings for Sarah is up to interpretation. Some view it as a romantic coming-of-age fantasy, which is fine, but many others can point out its darker undertones.

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”