Common Sense Media Review
By Sandie Angulo Chen
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Stunning, epic stop-motion fantasy can be intense, violent.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 11+?
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Where to Watch
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Wildwood
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 30 parent reviews
Parents say that the film is incredibly dark and contains disturbing themes, including a child suicide in the opening scene, which many found inappropriate for younger audiences. While some praise the artistic quality and emotional depth of the animation, they warn that the violence and mature content make it unsuitable for children under 10 or 11, with recommendations for parental guidance depending on individual children's sensitivity.
- dark themes
- inappropriate for kids
- artistic animation
- intense violence
- parental guidance needed
Summarized with AI
Based on 11 kid reviews
What's the Story?
WILDWOOD centers on 13-year-old Portlander Prue McKeel (voiced by Peyton Elizabeth Lee), who's upset that she's not allowed to leave the house when she babysits her 1-year-old brother, Mac (Arthur Knight), while her artist parents sell their work at a local market. Prue almost immediately disobeys, cycling around the city with the baby lying in an attached wagon. After she bumps into her nerdy, sweet classmate, Curtis (Jacob Tremblay), the two teens take the baby to a local playground, where—horrifyingly—he's kidnapped by a murder of crows. Prue and Curtis try to follow the crows, but they lose sight of Mac over the "Impassable Wilderness," which Prue grew up being warned never to enter. But to save Mac, she and Curtis swallow their fear and venture into what turns out to be a magical forest where animals speak and the inhabitants, both human and animal, are on the brink of civil war. Leading the charge is an enraged, grieving mother called the Dowager Governess (Carey Mulligan), who commands an army of bloodthirsty coyotes. Separated and in near-constant danger, Prue and Curtis must stay alive long enough to figure out who to trust and how to rescue Mac—and possibly all of Wildwood. The movie is based on The Decemberists lead singer Colin Meloy's middle-grade book, which was illustrated by Caldecott Honor-winning artist (and Meloy's wife) Carson Ellis.
Is It Any Good?
Laika studio head Travis Knight's 15-year journey to translate a beloved book from page to screen results in a breathtaking, if intense, stop-motion adventure. Like Laika's previous films, Wildwood is a dark, elaborate story that doesn't shy away from the scarier, more upsetting parts of human nature: grief, loss, vengeance, and war. But it also celebrates the power of a child's courage and love. Wildwood, even more than the book on which it's based, is unflinching in its depiction of death, violence, and impending peril. And Knight makes beautiful use of his colleagues' craftsmanship, showcasing intricately created worldbuilding that will mesmerize viewers thanks to the award-worthy production design by Nelson Lowry and gorgeous cinematography by Caleb Deschanel. And despite the dark themes, there's humor woven throughout Chris Butler's screenplay, mostly courtesy of young Curtis, a stand-in for viewers who wouldn't naturally plunge into danger but would definitely follow a friend in need into the dark unknown.
While some technically well-crafted films are more appreciated than enjoyed, this is one that's both. The story takes its time unfolding without feeling slow, and once you realize it's more like Princess Mononoke than Ponyo in terms of who it's targeting, it starts to sweep you away into its magical world and make you root for its protagonist, who's still firmly a child but is on the cusp of adolescence and determined to rescue her baby brother at all costs. Mulligan is utterly terrifying as the manipulative Dowager Governess, who has weaponized her grief and is ready to burn everything down if it means a chance to bring her child back. Mahershala Ali, Awkwafina, Charlie Day, and Angela Bassett also give standout voice performances in supporting roles as humans and animals of the woods. The Decemberists, of course, contribute to the soundtrack, and Academy Award winner Dario Marianelli's score has an epic Lord of the Rings vibe. Even those who aren't already fans of Laika's work should give this one a chance. It's a phenomenal achievement in stop-motion animation—and storytelling.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the violence and disturbing scenes in Wildwood. Does the stop-motion animation affect the impact of those parts of the movie?
How do Prue and Curtis demonstrate courage, perseverance, and teamwork? Why is Curtis' realization that being brave doesn't mean being fearless important? What other character strengths do they display?
Discuss the way that grief, revenge, and forgiveness are portrayed in the movie. Does understanding the Dowager Governess' motivations humanize her as a villain? Does loss excuse her actions?
What makes Laika's style of stop-motion animation distinctive? How do the intricate (and miniature) sets, puppets, landscapes, and visual effects contribute to the movie's storytelling? How does creating art in this way compare to something like using generative AI? Which has more value to you?
If you've read the novel the movie is based on, what differences did you notice between it and the movie? How faithful to the book's themes and characterizations is the movie?
Movie Details
- In theaters : October 23, 2026
- Cast : Peyton Elizabeth Lee , Jacob Tremblay , Carey Mulligan
- Director : Travis Knight
- Studio : Fathom Entertainment
- Genre : Family and Kids
- Topics : Book Characters , Family Stories ( Siblings ) , Fantasy , Adventures , Animals ( Mice , Wild Animals )
- Character Strengths : Courage , Curiosity , Perseverance , Teamwork
- Run time : 139 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : strong fantasy violence/bloody images, thematic material, suicide-related material, brief partial nudity and language
- Award : Common Sense Selection
- Last updated : November 11, 2026
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