Wildwood (2026) - Spoiler Free Review

Film Details

Director: Travis Knight

Run Time: 2hr 12m

Cast: Peyton Elizabeth Lee, Jacob Tremblay, Awkwafina, Carey Mulligan, Mahershala Ali, Jake Johnson

Synopsis

After her baby brother is abducted by a murder of crows, headstrong teenager Prue embarks on a dangerous rescue mission inside an enchanted Forrest.

My Review

Wildwood is without a doubt the most ambitious and impressive display of stop motion animation that I have ever seen. The sheer scale of this film, particularly the events that unfold in the final act, is nothing short of extraordinary and although this language may seem like hyperbole to some, it is actually the only fitting way to describe the skill and effort from everyone involved. It felt like a fantasy mashup between Narnia, Lord of the Rings and the Spiderwick Chronicles, whilst maintaining the often dark tone that accompanies Laika studios stop motion projects. 

I must admit it took a while to warm to the films protagonist Prue, the fun yet reckless approach to caring for her brother at the start was rather off putting for me, despite the jovial intent behind the sequence. But she soon grows into a far more responsible young woman who the audience can truly root for and the same can be said for her unlikely companion Curtis! This all leads to an incredibly rewarding final climax with captivating action that undoubtedly sets an incredibly high bar for the animation sub genre.

At a time when everyone is screaming for original films, made for and BY humans, films like Wildwood need to be supported wholeheartedly! 16 years Travis Knight has been working on this film and that care and attention shines through. Let’s show the industry that audiences will flock towards such impressive craftsmanship and it will help ensure they continue to be made. 

My Rating: 9 out of 10

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