Several critics noted the film's subtext and found it successful to varying degrees. Saw Tek Meng of the New Straits Times acknowledged that "Sarah's experiences in the labyrinth are symbolic of her transition from child to woman" but ultimately found the film "too linear" for its latent themes to come through. The New York Times Nina Darnton compared the film's tone to the writings of E. T. A. Hoffmann, stating that Hoffman's The Nutcracker "is also about the voyage to womanhood, including the hint of sexual awakening, which Sarah experiences too in the presence of a goblin king". Darton enjoyed the film and considered it more successful than Henson's previous collaboration with Brian Froud, The Dark Crystal.
Several critics noted the film's subtext and found it successful to varying degrees Saw Tek Meng of the New Straits Times acknowledged that "Sarah's experiences in the labyrinth are symbolic of her transition from child to woman" but ultimately found the film "too linear" for its latent themes to come through The New York Times Nina Darnton compared the film's tone to the writings of E T A Hoffmann stating that Hoffman's The Nutcracker "is also about the voyage to womanhood including the hint of sexual awakening which Sarah experiences too in the presence of a goblin king" Darton enjoyed the film and considered it more successful than Henson's previous collaboration with Brian Froud The Dark Crystal