Wendell and Wild (2022) Movie Review – A fun-filled ride about literal and figurative demons

A thrilling ride that is fun to experience the real and imaginary demons

Wendell and Wild isn’t an unintentionally demon-filled ride however it is also full of social commentary — and in the best way. The film is filled with thoughts relevant to the present, and which is a benefit for the film’s intended audience of teens in their teens. While it could have been done by focusing on a simpler narrative, especially towards the end, Wendell and Wild have an incredibly feisty and charming protagonist as well as an array of fun-loving creatures in a myriad of sizes and shapes that are worth a look.

The film follows the life of Kat who is separated from her parents before the age of eight. She then has to deal with the difficulties of the foster system until she is sent to the school she attended in her hometown town. When she arrives, the teenager Kat discovers she is a Hell Maiden. The demons that haunt her, Wendell and Wild, convince her to bring them back to the land in the realm of the living. In exchange, they promise to restore her parents from death which they do not have the power to fulfill. Of course, there is chaos.

In terms of a horror film, Wendell and Wild ticks the boxes of the latter more than the previous. There are the classic glow eyes, green eyes, and even some terrifying nuns, and the animated sequence doesn’t shy away from being horrifying. However, the terror factor is lowered to a minimum, even for a children’s film.

The demons in the title aren’t as scary and more of comedy duos drawn from Shakespeare’s works. They are nevertheless amusing and make a great match for Kat’s moody personality. The antagonists are also unpleasant, but they aren’t particularly frightening.

The story explores some major concepts and takes a critical review of prisons in private as well as the foster care system and corporate. All of this is interspersed with the theme of mental well-being and internal monsters. There are plenty of different characters including trans boys to a policewoman dressed in the hijab. Other actors in Hollywood must take note of how to portray the diversity of our society without preaching.

Even when this goal may be greater than the storyline can sustain, however, the message is still. It doesn’t have to dive into murky topics, however, it is able to help its younger audience get used to the subject and invites them to ask questions.

It does all of this with an incredible collection of images. The stop-motion animation features the signature style of director Henry Selick and gives the film a 3-D experience it’s possible to feel and touch the characters without the requirement to wear 3D glasses. Every character has its own distinct look and feel, and each scene is meticulously precise. The plot and the visuals are a great way to blend the metaphorical notions of capitalism and mental health with demons that are literal.

What the film lacks is the narrative. The screenplay fails to weave the big concepts together. The ending feels too fast and feels a bit like the ending of a Disney film. While the world in the movie is an amazing one but it could have been done with more explanation. There are some enigmatic equipment and words such as blood-binding, which needed more explanation than what was provided.

But, given the fact that this film is aimed at younger audiences, these issues aren’t difficult to ignore. The plot is fast-paced amid vibrant images and a pulsating soundtrack it’s easy for them to become lost. In the end, Wendell and Wild is an extremely enjoyable ride, and an ideal choice to watch a movie with your children.