Hollywood actors Andrew Garfield and Claire Foy have reflected on screen time and the pressures of modern parenting while promoting their new fantasy film in Brazil. The actors star as a married couple in A Maravilhosa Árvore Encantada, a feature film that opened in Brazilian cinemas on Thursday, September 10, 2026.
In the film's storyline, the couple decides to relocate their family to the countryside in an attempt to adopt a simpler lifestyle. However, their children, who have grown up constantly connected to the internet, encounter significant difficulty adjusting to their new surroundings away from digital screens.
The production is based on Enid Blyton's classic 1943 British children's book, The Magic Faraway Tree. First published during the Second World War, Blyton's original series followed children who discover an enchanted forest and a giant tree leading to rotating magical realms. The new cinematic adaptation updates the classic narrative by introducing contemporary layers concerning technology and modern family dynamics.
Parenting in a digital world
In an interview with Brazilian news network CNN Brasil, Garfield stated that the timing felt ideal for adapting Blyton's literary work for the big screen. He explained that the modern approach of the film directly mirrors the real-world experiences of their friends and young couples attempting to raise children in a contemporary setting that is simultaneously exciting, frightening, and technologically advanced.
Garfield, 43, is an Oscar-nominated British-American actor widely recognized for playing Peter Parker in The Amazing Spider-Man film franchise. His career includes critically acclaimed roles in the biographical drama The Social Network, the war film Hacksaw Ridge, and the musical biography Tick, Tick... Boom!
Foy argued during the interview that the challenges of excessive technology affect adults just as much as children. She noted a widespread lack of individual control over digital habits, observing that many people, including numerous members of the baby boomer generation, wake up each morning and immediately reach for their mobile phones because they enjoy using them.
She added that many individuals feel controlled by their devices rather than maintaining control over them. Foy expressed that it felt unusual for people to feel a total lack of autonomy regarding their daily actions and digital consumption.
Pressure on modern parents
Addressing the societal pressures facing modern families, Foy said that parents encounter constant judgment and expectations regarding how they should raise their children. She stressed that parents are simply doing their best under difficult circumstances and argued that public attention should focus primarily on the well-being of the children themselves.
Foy expressed concern that society is nurturing a generation of children who frequently feel emotionally disconnected. She stated that someone will eventually be held accountable for these emotional outcomes, though she emphasized that parents should not be blamed for the broader cultural issue.
Foy, 42, is an Emmy-winning British actress best known for her portrayal of Queen Elizabeth II in the early seasons of the Netflix historical drama series The Crown. She has also starred in major films including First Man and Women Talking, and is the mother of a daughter.
Magical elements and ensemble cast
A Maravilhosa Árvore Encantada explores these parental and digital dilemmas through a magical narrative framework. In the film, the couple's eldest daughter longs for her friends and a reliable internet connection. Meanwhile, her younger sister begins an unexpected journey after forming a friendship with a fairy who introduces her to a portal leading to extraordinary worlds inhabited by magical beings.
When asked what motivated her to participate in the project, Foy told CNN Brasil that the film was made with wholesome intentions. She described the story as genuinely funny and authentic, calling it a wonderful opportunity to create a film that whole families can watch together. Foy recalled growing up watching movies with her own family and noted that she continues to share movie-watching experiences with her family today.
The film features a notable international ensemble cast alongside Garfield and Foy. Irish actress Nicola Coughlan, widely known for playing Penelope Featherington in Netflix's Regency drama Bridgerton and Clare Devlin in Derry Girls, appears in a supporting role. Swedish actress Rebecca Ferguson, famous for playing Lady Jessica in Denis Villeneuve's Dune films and Ilsa Faust in the Mission: Impossible series, also stars.
British actor Nonso Anozie, known for his starring role as Tommy Jepperd in the Netflix fantasy series Sweet Tooth, rounds out the main adult cast. The production features child actors Delilah Bennett-Cardy, Billie Gadsdon, and Phoenix Laroche, with direction by British filmmaker Ben Gregor.
