Inclusive stop-motion film has supernatural scares.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 11+?
Any Positive Content?
Violence & Scariness
a lot
Scary, tense situations, including parental death due to a car accident and drowning (shown more than once) and supernatural violence. Creepy imagery with ghosts and demons. Cold-blooded murder. Corpses. Grief/loss. Gross imagery (squirmy worms, large tick squashed goopily and repeatedly). Bullying. Animated blood due to a head wound.
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The film features excellent representation in terms of both race and gender identity and gives people of color the chance to be viewed as people first, rather than race first, which is hard to find in Hollywood films. The main character is a Black teen girl with agency, and almost all of the film's characters are people of color (Black, Indigenous, South Asian, and more), voiced by authentically cast actors (including Lyric Ross, Angela Bassett, Jordan Peele, Keegan-Michael Key, Ving Rhames, and many more). The film also features a trans character of color, which is extremely rare in mainstream movies. The movie was co-written by Peele.
It's important to show others empathy and compassion. It can be hard to find the courage to do the right thing, especially in a scary environment. Teamwork can help you do hard things. Difficult memories and past trauma can help make you powerful if you face them. And above all else, parents want to protect their children.
Positive Role Models
some
Kat has a troubled past, but her behavioral issues stem from the deep pain of losing her parents. She doesn't always make the right decisions, and she's impulsive about trusting Wendell and Wild, but over the course of the story, she uses courage to come to terms with her grief and toxic shame. She also faces evil forces trying to bring down the town she grew up in. Other characters, including Raul, Siobhan, and Sister Helley, show Kat compassion and empathy. In general, the young characters are inclusive and supportive. The characters come together to save their town from an imminent threat. Wendell and Wild lie to Kat and deceive their father, but they also help do the right thing when it matters.
Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Wendell & Wild is an eerie stop-motion animation film from Henry Selick and Jordan Peele about a teen girl named Kat (voiced by Lyric Ross) who makes a deal with demons in hopes of bringing her dead parents back to life. It definitely has a creepy vibe -- director Selick also made Coraline -- with scary, intense situations, including the car crash that killed Kat's mom and dad. There's cold-blooded murder, corpses, and some pretty gross imagery, as well as a bit of language ("crap," "hell," "bloody," etc.). The film explores the effects of grief and shame from a supernatural perspective, which could make those tricky topics easier to talk about with kids. It also emphasizes the importance of empathy, compassion, courage, and teamwork and features excellent representation in terms of both race and gender identity. To stay in the loop on more movies like this, you can sign up for weekly Family Movie Night emails.
WENDELL & WILD is a stop-motion animated film about teenage Kat (voiced Lyric Ross), who lost her parents at an early age in a tragic crash. Her grief and shame about the circumstances of their death contribute to a troubled life that leads to her being sent to a bleak girls' school in hopes of being "reformed." But it's there that she learns of her destiny as a Hell Maiden and summons Wendell (Keegan-Michael Key) and Wild (Jordan Peele), two mischievous demons who promise that they can give her what she most desires.
This fantastic film is as heartfelt as it is scary. It's perfect for the Halloween season, but it can really be viewed at any time, since its messages about grief and the courage to overcome your demons -- real or otherwise -- are relatable to all.
The film (which, as Monkeypaw Productions' first animated film, marks a creative expansion for Peele's storytelling empire) features exceptional voice talent, including Ross as main character Kat and Angela Bassett as her imposing teacher/mentor, Sister Helley. Overall, the casting lives up to Monkeypaw's mission of boosting diversity in Hollywood films, featuring authentically cast stars like James Hong, Tamara Smart, Sam Zelaya, Ving Rhames, Tantoo Cardinal, and more. The result is a film that gives people of color dignity and agency. The film's plot takes a while to set up, which may enthrall some viewers and aggravate others. But overall, Wendell & Wild is a must-see for fans of Peele's work and for fans of animation and terrific storytelling overall.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about grief. How does Kat process her grief in Wendell & Wild? Is it healthy? Why, or why not? How does she learn to overcome her shame surrounding her parents' death?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
suggesting a diversity update.
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
By Monique Jones
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
