LAIKA's Wildwood (2026) Best Film of the Year? | Film Review
Wildwood review
After her baby brother is abducted by a murder of crows, Prue ventures into the enchanted forest hidden just beyond Portland, full of bandits, talking animals a powerful guardian driven by grief and ambition.
Wildwood is a magnificent, powerful, Awe-inspiring piece of cinema that left me speechless.
LAIKA, The Masters of Stop-Motion Animation & a little Childhood Trauma
Laika Studios are the masters of stop-motion animation, best known for their haunting tale of Coraline (2009). Laika have only gone and outdone themselves with Wildwood. This is an action packed, emotional rollercoaster filled with heavy themes and connotations of war and suffering.
Wildwood reminds us just how powerful storytelling can be. I had to remind myself that I was watching a stop-motion animation, ever corner of this film is immersive and completely realised. I was drawn into the story, in awe of the characters and their adventure. Shocked by the escalation of the narrative and the darkness of the plot.
The Voice Cast is Magical
Wildwood doesn’t just look good, it sounds good.
The sound scape of this film is utterly magical and compliments the visuals charmingly. The music and the voice cast all materialises the world around us and allows audiences to feel connected to the story.
The whole voice cast are undeniably perfect. I just know I would have fallen in love with Prue when I was a kid and I know young watchers will identify with her attitude and strength.
LAIKA, The Studio who Continue to Shock Me, Excite Me & Bring Me to Tears
The plot is full, this is a story packed with characters, filled with meaning and intention. Sometimes I can get overwhelming to keep up but nonethless, everything is tied up into a perfect bow.
The themes are intense, my jaw hit the floor at the half way mark, particularly the final act. The story takes you on a journey you will NEVER expect and that is the beauty of Laikas fearless storytelling.
The shots in this film are mesmerising, it is unforgettably beautiful and I know it will live in the hearts of everyone who watches it.
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16 Years,231 Puppets, Over 173,000 Individual Frames
In a world filled with AI and the ever growing reliance on it, I am so indescribably proud of the people who made this film. This is an example of human excellence, of pure talent and magic pouring off the screen.
Wildwood is undeniably perfect in every way, it is fantastical, magical, immersive and most of all inspiring.
I am enchanted by Wildwood, I haven’t been able to stop thinking about the complexity of the narrative and the harrowing, distressing ending that brought tears to my eyes. This is how you execute a film, this is how you bring magic to the screen.
In a world where people don’t have the attention span to watch a video for 16 seconds, the fact Wildwood took 16 years to create is truly captivating.
Wildwood is a masterful piece of storytelling, a moving piece of art that reminds us just how powerful human creation is.
Go see Wildwood in cinemas from October 23rd
You must watch WILDWOOD & you thank me afterwards.
Probe Points
★★★★★
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