At first glance, Riverdance: The Animated Adventure seems like a film simply about dancing and Irish traditions. While these elements play a big role, at its core, Riverdance: The Animated Adventure is about the death of a loved one, and is a smart, beautiful vehicle for teaching children about loss.

The movie follows Keegan (Sam Hardy), a young boy who’s raised by his grandparents in Ireland. His grandfather Patrick (Pierce Brosnan) is the keeper of the lighthouse, in addition to being a very talented dancer and hurling player. But when Patrick dies just days before the St. Patrick’s Day celebration, the whole town begins to mourn. After his grandfather’s death, Keegan refuses to dance, is reluctant to play hurling and won’t even light up the lighthouse. This isn’t your average lighthouse that’s just for boats — Keegan’s family’s lighthouse keeps the darkness from overpowering the town. This is a metaphor for Keegan’s mental state: He’s so upset over his loss that he can’t see any light in his life. This leaves him vulnerable to the powers of the Huntsman, a villain who takes different shapes and only comes out when the darkness welcomes him.

“Do not mourn the man; celebrate the life. Celebrate with dance.” At Patrick’s funeral, everyone is told not to mourn him, but to celebrate him with dance — one of his favorite pastimes. When the mourners, including Keegan’s friend Moya (Hannah Herman Cortes), begin Irish dancing in the rain, Keegan refuses to participate, observing from afar. When he goes for a walk later, Keegan encounters Moya, who is also dealing with a recent loss — her grandmother. Moya leads him on a journey to a mythical world where time is suspended. It’s led by the extinct Megaloceros giganteus, or “spirit deer,” who are talented dancers. They teach Keegan and Moya that Riverdance is a true celebration of life.

And isn’t life really about celebrating the little things that bring you joy? Riverdance: The Animated Adventure emphasizes that the death of a loved one doesn’t have to be shrouded in sadness forever — you can keep someone’s memory alive by passing down their stories and family traditions. By showing Keegan’s struggles with grief, the film portrays loss and healing in an incredibly honest way. These heavy topics are lightened by fantasy elements; the spirit deer guide Keegan through his grief. Thanks to them, Keegan eventually gets back on his feet, accepts help from others, plays hurling and finds joy in dancing again. His newfound courage even helps him overcome his terrifying encounters with the Huntsman. 

Overcoming loss, especially of a close family member, doesn’t happen overnight. But Keegan learns that there are little ways to keep a sense of joy and purpose alive — to chase the darkness out when it threatens to break through.