Documentary Review

‘Folktales’: A Brilliant Way to Get Teenagers Off Phones

“Folktales” is an instant classic, a favorite documentary, and a film that can and will change lives once it breaks away from the documentary dog-pack.
‘Folktales’: A Brilliant Way to Get Teenagers Off Phones
Hege and her dog Sautso share a good a-woo, in "Folktales." Magnolia Pictures
Mark Jackson
Mark Jackson
Film Critic
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NR | 1h 45m | Documentary | 2025

“Folktales”—the superb new documentary about teenagers escaping cellphone addiction and discovering their destiny—opens with a folktale from Norse Mythology. Deeply familiar to me, it’s one of the first stories I heard in fourth grade, after switching from public school to a Waldorf school.

Mark Jackson
Mark Jackson
Film Critic
Mark Jackson is the chief film critic for The Epoch Times. He earned a bachelor's degree in philosophy from Williams College, followed by a classical theater conservatory training, and 20 years' experience as a New York professional actor. He narrated The Epoch Times audiobook "How the Specter of Communism is Ruling Our World," available on iTunes, Audible, and YouTube. Mark is listed in the book "How to be a Film Critic in Five Easy Lessons" by Christopher K. Brooks. In addition to film, he enjoys Harley-Davidsons, martial arts, rock-climbing, qigong, and human rights activism. Mark is a Rotten Tomatoes-approved film critic.
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