In The Faraway Tree, whatever you dream can appear—thanks to a world where enchanting lands and unforgettable characters exist among the branches.
Bringing a cherished childhood classic like Enid Blyton’s Magic Faraway Tree to life on screen is no easy task. But screenwriter Simon Farnaby — the mind behind Paddington 2 — has crafted something truly special, delivering one of the most magical family films in years, and personally, this is a film that really does take us back to childhood, even for just a short moment.
While Enid remains a controversial figure, there’s no denying she created one of the most iconic and imaginative children’s series of all time: The Faraway Tree, a story that has lived on in the hearts of generations. And now, it’s finally been brought to life, reminding us all that magic really does exist, but it’s up to you to find it.
Beginning as a modern spin on the original, the story quickly turns whimsical. Polly (Claire Foy) quits her corporate job after a principled dispute about a fridge, while her husband Tim (Andrew Garfield) stays home with their three children, Beth, Joe, and Fran, in their cosy English house.
After Polly resigns, both Polly and Tim revisit their old dream journal and decide to start a tomato sauce business, bringing both chaos and a sense of adventure to their lives, which, honestly, is a little bit of what we all need right now!
With their lives packed into suitcases, they head to the English countryside in search of something new. But before they even arrive, the magic has already begun. Fran stumbles across a small green handbag hidden in the bushes — a seemingly simple moment that quietly introduces us to something much bigger: the enchanting presence of Silky (Nicola Coughlan), a fairy from the Faraway Tree.
And in that instant, the world tilts and everything shimmers with possibility.
The film reminds us that there is magic everywhere
Without giving too much away, the magic of the Faraway Tree is revealed when one says, “I believe in magic” three times. The enchanted tree, home to Moon-Face (Nonso Anozie), Dame Washalot (Jessica Gunning), Angry Pixie (Hiran Abeysekera), Mr Watzisname (Oliver Chris), and Saucepan Man (Dustin Demri-Burns), bursts with characters and wonder.
Each enchanting world is accessed by a sky-high ladder, offering unpredictable and whimsical adventures. The film’s storytelling emphasises feeling and wonder over strict plot structure, centring on the belief that magic still exists if you choose to find it.
And you do.
This is pure, unfiltered escape — the kind that sweeps you back to the wondrous, aching joy of believing in the impossible as a child. For a heartbeat, you’ll long to climb a world where magic hides between leaves and hope grows on trees.
The Magic Faraway Tree is whimsical, nostalgic, and full of heart. It doesn’t try to be anything other than magical — and that’s exactly what makes it so special. It reminds us that magic really never does fade.
5/5 from me!
The Magic Faraway Tree is in Australian cinemas from March 27.
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