#REVIEW: “WILDWOOD”

Review by Justin Waldman for Mr. Will Wong

In 2009, Laika completely changed and revolutionized the way audiences saw animation and specifically stop motion animation with Coraline. Since then, they’ve improved their craft and honed it to be something even more spectacular and magical with entries such as ParaNorman, The Boxtrolls, Kubo and the Two Strings, Missing Link and now Wildwood – their longest movie to date earning a rare PG-13 rating but proving that 17 years of innovation and creativity has all lead to Travis Knight’s newest outing Wildwood and the results are nothing shy of spectacular.

Wildwood focuses on Prue (Peyton Elizabeth Lee) who is told explicitly by her parents (Jake Johnson and Maya Erskine) that under no circumstances is she allowed to leave the house with her brother Mac (Arthur Knight) while she watches him. It is never stated why, at first, but they keep Mac indoors mostly and have a weird relationship with him leaving the home, even though Prue gets to go out and live about. The stories that the McKeels have always told their kids is about an ‘impassable wilderness’ on the other side of the bridge that is covered in a fog that no one really sees past. Despite  consistent warnings from her parents, Prue decides to go out with Mac, having him ride shotgun in a wagon behind her bike as she rides through Portland, ruining into a variety of characters on her adventure, including her presumable schoolmate, Curtis (Jacob Tremblay) who clearly has a crush on Prue.

Curtis somehow talks himself into joining Prue and Mac on their outing to the park where Mac “likes to fall on his face” and everything is seemingly normal. That is until a murder of crows enter the fray and sets their eyes on Mac, and sweep him away to the impassible wilderness.  Prue does the only thing she thinks she can – and Curtis gets dragged along for the ride. They’re told that tl enter the forest is impossible. They realize this place is magical, though right as they pass through the woods, they meet an excitable and rather mean Coyote (voiced by Tom Waits) who is a loyal servant of the leader of the land, Alexandra (Carey Mulligan) and her war against the outside. There is a lot to unpack in the world, but exploring the world of Wildwood is part of the magic and excitement of it all. To refrain from spoiling anything, we’ll stop here. However, the majority of the Movie is spent on Prue’s adventure in trying to find her brother and save her and interacting with the world within the impassible forest; including a twelve-minute action sequence which is some of the most beautiful animation ever.

Wildwood could be a silent picture, and while it may be less effective, it would not detract from how simply gorgeous this Film is. It is one of the most beautiful pieces of Art put on a screen and this is saying a lot since every Laika film has been impeccably captivating. This is truly the culmination of everything they’ve been building for 17 years and proves to be their magnum opus, in animation and story. Wildwood is truly one of the best animated movies of the year – and furthermore, one of the best movies of the year. A simple story of one girl traveling to the unknown to protect the brother she was told not to put in danger, a story for the ages amplified with some of the most stunning animation ever seen.

Now, as magical and incredible as the animation and storytelling, is the Voice Cast here is simply remarkable. While the bulk of the voicing comes down to Jacob Tremblay whose shy friend persona is the baseline of his performance, evolving into something more as the Film progresses, to show his true vocal prowess. While Peyton Elizabeth Lee is the protagonist, her voicework is unmatched. Changing from magical whimsy to sheer horror and fear for her brother, and then a relentless warrior, it is her incredible ability to convey all these emotions that helps carry this story through. We were emotionally invested throughout. We also have an incredible Supporting Cast, consisting of Mahershala Ali, Awkwafina, Angela Bassett, Charlie Day, Jemaine Clement, Richard E Grant, and Tantoo Cardinal, who all add something exquisite to the Film. They truly really enrich the world and tapestries that we get lost in, visually and thematically. Lastly, but certainly not least, is the remarkable Carey Mulligan as Alexandra, embracing so much pain and hatred that there is a slight sympathy with her performance even though her character is more akin to the Evil Queen.

Wildwood takes everything that Laika has done from the beginning, adding new elements to their majesty, and creating arguably the best output across their entries, thus far. Considering how consistent and brilliant all of Laika has been throughout, and the fact that Coraline has remained unmatched as their gold standard, having that Film finally dethroned by Wildwood here says so much.

Prepare to get lost in the magic that is Wildwood.

VVS Films release WILDWOOD in theatres Friday, October 23, 2026.