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Wildwood (2026)


Wildwood is a stopmotion animated film that combines 3D printing, claymation, puppetry, and CGI for water and other digital effects. Directed by Travis Knight, best known for Kubo and the Two Strings, which earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Animated Feature, this film showcases just how far hybrid animation can go. The animation is off the charts, bringing together the best of traditional stopmotion craftsmanship and modern digital techniques. Every frame feels carefully constructed, and the visual presentation is easily the film's greatest strength.

Carey Mulligan, known for Promising Young Woman and Drive, brings the sympathetic villain trope to life. Her performance is convincing enough that I had difficulty recognizing her natural speaking voice, which is a compliment. She completely immerses herself in the character, making the villain feel like someone with understandable motivations rather than just another obstacle for the protagonist. That kind of transformation helps the character stand out, especially in an animated film where voice acting has to do so much of the heavy lifting.

Charlie Day, known for It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia and The Super Mario Bros. Movie, and Awkwafina, known for The Farewell and Crazy Rich Asians, have the opposite effect on me. I immediately recognized both of their voices, and it pulled me out of the experience. Neither performance is necessarily terrible, but when the animation is this immersive, having recognizable celebrity voices can become distracting. Instead of hearing the characters, I found myself hearing the actors, which is the last thing you want when a film is trying to draw you into its world.

Peyton Elizabeth Lee, known for Andi Mack and Pizza Movie, voices the main character, Prue. She does a great job bringing the character to life, giving her the same kind of fiery determination that Elliot Page brought to Juno. Lee has a promising future ahead of her, although I suspect she will build a solid career rather than become a massive Hollywood superstar. I'd be interested to see her branch out into something like horror, where she could show a different side of her acting ability. Here, she makes Prue an engaging protagonist, even when the screenplay gives her too much credit.

That brings me to the film's biggest problem: the writing. Almost every character feels basic and uninteresting, and the story relies on one modern trope after another. There was a moment that was directly lifted straight out of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, and the protagonist suffers from the all too common problem of being practically flawless. Prue is magically good at everything, always ready to take charge, and seemingly capable of overcoming any obstacle without having to struggle in a meaningful way. A character can be brave and resourceful without being good at absolutely everything, but the screenplay doesn't seem particularly interested in exploring that distinction.

Wildwood is a beautiful animated film held back by a story that feels far more generic than its visuals deserve. Travis Knight and the animation team have created something genuinely impressive, blending different techniques into a gorgeous visual experience, while Carey Mulligan delivers a standout vocal performance. Peyton Elizabeth Lee also does a great job as Prue, even if the character herself feels too perfect. The writing relies on familiar tropes, predictable character archetypes, and a protagonist who rarely feels challenged. The animation keeps the movie from falling any further, but I wish the screenplay had shown the same ambition as the artists behind it. Result: B

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