Wendell & Wild

Title: Wendell & Wild
Director: Henry Selick
Studio: Monkeypaw Productions, Gotham Group
Release Date: October 21, 2022
Run Time: 105 Minutes
Genres: Comedy, Horror
Starring: Keegan-Michael Key, Jordan Peele, Angela Bassett, Lyric Ross, Ving Rhames
Where to Find It: Website
Rating:

From the delightfully wicked minds of Henry Selick and Jordan Peele, comes Wendell & Wild, an animated tale about scheming demon brothers Wendell (Keegan-Michael Key) and Wild (Peele) -- who enlist the aid of 13-year-old Kat Elliot -- a tough teen with a load of guilt -- to summon them to the Land of the Living. But what Kat demands in return leads to a brilliantly bizarre and comedic adventure like no other, an animated fantasy that defies the law of life and death, all told through the handmade artistry of stop motion.

Review

Wendell & Wild is a stop-motion masterpiece by the legendary Henry Selick with the comedy stylings of Jordan Peele and it was a treat that I wasn’t expecting this fall season. I love every single movie that Selick creates and there was no exception with this one. It is a heartfelt and zany adventure about a troubled orphan named Kat that teams up with two mischievous demons to resurrect her dead parents. The demons in question, Wendell and Wild, are voiced by Key and Peele.

I absolutely loved Kat, she is a punk-loving riot grrrl that is haunted by the loss of her parents, and she has felt let down by the system. She returns to the town where her parents have died and finds the town in ruins after a tragic fire. During her quest to bring her parents back, Kat learns hard lessons about grief, fighting her (inner) demons, and looking to the problems that are outside of herself. The other characters in the movie were also likeable and well-designed, and there was some humor to their interactions. I loved the diversity presented in the story, with all of the main case being primarily people of color, and Kat’s companion Raoul is a trans boy.

The movie features an absolutely outstanding soundtrack, which includes tracks from pioneering black and latinx punk bands. I appreciated the commentary weaved into the plot about corruption, private prisons, and personal reckoning. It takes a while for the story to get to where it’s going but the payoff was great. The stop-motion animation of course was a feast for the eyes and masterfully executed.

Wendell & Wild was all around a charming and fun film from start to finish. I watched it over the weekend with my family and we all had a great time. It was perfect for spooky season and one that I’d gladly watch again and again.