Common Sense Media Review
By Jeffrey M. Anderson
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Imaginative, touching fantasy—with scary monsters.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 11+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Sketch
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 93 parent reviews
Parents say the film is highly controversial regarding its suitability for children, with many arguing that it contains disturbing themes and imagery better suited for a mature audience, suggesting a rating of PG-13 instead of PG. While some viewers appreciated its exploration of grief and emotions, they expressed disappointment at the tone and misleading marketing, noting that the content could be too intense or frightening for younger viewers.
- not suitable for kids
- misleading marketing
- disturbing imagery
- dark themes
- grief exploration
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
Based on 9 kid reviews
What's the Story?
In SKETCH, 10-year-old Amber Wyatt (Bianca Belle) has been going through a hard time since the death of her mother. When she makes an alarming drawing depicting the death of an obnoxious schoolmate named Bowman (Kalon Cox), her father, Taylor (Tony Hale), is called in to her school, where, unexpectedly, a counselor advises Amber to continue to work through her feelings by drawing—which, for her, means sketching monsters. Meanwhile, Amber's older brother, Jack (Kue Lawrence), has discovered a mysterious pond in the woods with magical properties: It heals his cut hand and repairs his broken phone. While considering the idea of putting his mother's ashes in the pond, Jack struggles with Amber, and her notebook falls in instead. Before long, Amber's monsters start coming to life and attacking the town. It's up to Amber, Jack, and Bowman to save the day.
Is It Any Good?
A wonderful movie with amazing monsters, this smartly written, sharply edited, kid-friendly fantasy tale is funny, exciting, great-looking, and packed with strong messages about expressing feelings. The feature writing and directing debut of Seth Worley, Sketch wins viewers over almost right away with a scene in the counselor's office. Hale's comic reaction to Amber's violent drawing, the counselor's assertion that Amber should keep drawing (rather than be punished), the introduction of the notebook with a curious cat on the cover, and the way Amber says "Do you have a pen?" before smash-cutting to the title come together just about perfectly.
Sketch instinctively sidesteps all the little pitfalls that can make some kid-targeted adventures feel shrill and irritating, instead finding ways to be funny and lovable. Even the Bowman character, whose entire job is to be shrill and irritating, is funny and lovable. The kid actors are just right, neither overacting nor underacting; Hale finds a nice balance between his typical style of comedy and portraying an empathetic soul; and co-star D'Arcy Carden (Janet from The Good Place) adds another layer of snappy humor and insightful emotion as Taylor's sister, Liz. But best of all are the monsters. The movie's visual effects are deliberately imperfect, mimicking the style of a child's drawings, in pencil, markers, crayons, or chalk, with rough edges. And the colorful smears and smudges of monster tracks (or remains) become enchanting decorations on all the sets, clothes, and faces. Sketch is a special movie that could easily become a much rewatched favorite.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Sketch's violent moments and scary scenes. How did they make you feel? What did the movie show or not show to achieve this effect? Why is that important?
Did you find the movie scary? Why do people sometimes like to watch movies about scary monsters?
How does the movie address the way people feel their feelings? What did you learn about keeping things inside or letting things out? What does Amber's dad mean when he describes a person's "inbox" and "outbox"?
How does the movie portray grief and loss? Have you faced those in the past?
How do the characters in the movie demonstrate courage?
Movie Details
- In theaters : August 6, 2025
- On DVD or streaming : August 26, 2025
- Cast : Tony Hale , D'Arcy Carden , Bianca Belle
- Director : Seth Worley
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Angel Studios
- Genre : Family and Kids
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic ) , Adventures , Family Stories ( Siblings )
- Character Strengths : Courage
- Run time : 92 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : scary action, some violence, thematic elements, language and rude humor
- Award : Common Sense Selection
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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