Wendell & Wild
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Screen for YOUR familyParent's Guide to Wendell & Wild
Wendell & Wild is a 2022 American stop-motion animated Gothic comedy horror film directed by Henry Selick, known for "Coraline" and "The Nightmare Before Christmas," and co-written by Jordan Peele. The story follows Kat Elliot, a rebellious and guilt-ridden teenage orphan haunted by her past, who becomes a "Hell Maiden" capable of summoning demons. She makes a deal with two mischievous demon brothers, Wendell and Wild, who are seeking to escape the underworld and build their own amusement park on Earth. This unleashes chaos and undead mayhem in her desolate hometown of Rust Bank, which is being exploited by a corrupt corporate entity. The film explores themes of grief, trauma, corruption, and the private prison system, blending dark fantasy elements with social commentary. It features a distinct visual style characteristic of Selick's work, utilizing stop-motion animation to create both eerie and imaginative environments. The movie is primarily targeted at older children and teenagers, carrying a PG-13 rating due to its thematic material, violence, substance use, and language, suggesting it may not be suitable for younger audiences.
Things to Consider
Violence
The movie contains significant instances of violence, including accidental deaths, murder, implied physical abuse, and graphic depictions of resurrected corpses. Some scenes involve blood and disturbing imagery, contributing to a high intensity level.
Kat's parents die in a car accident where their vehicle crashes into water and they drown, an event that deeply traumatizes Kat. Father Bests is murdered by the Klaxons, bludgeoned with a golf club and thrown into a river, with brief sight of blood. Resurrected corpses are shown in advanced states of decay, including worms crawling over and bursting out of their mouths.
Witchcraft & Occult
Witchcraft and occult themes are central to the movie's plot, featuring demons, Hell, and various magical practices. The protagonist, Kat, is a "Hell Maiden" with powers to summon and control demons, and other characters, including a nun, also engage in magic and rituals.
Scary & Intense Content
As a gothic comedy horror film, "Wendell & Wild" contains numerous scary and intense elements, including frightening monsters, demons, and disturbing imagery. The narrative also delves into themes of trauma, grief, and panic attacks, contributing to emotional intensity.
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Additional Context
Best For Ages
PG-13. The film is rated PG-13 by the MPAA for thematic material, violence, substance use, and brief strong language. Common Sense Media recommends it for ages 11 and up. Director Henry Selick intended it for a PG-13 audience, finding that 10-14 year-olds understood it best. The presence of disturbing imagery, intense themes of death and trauma, and occult content makes it unsuitable for younger children, while older tweens and teens may be able to process its complex narrative and darker elements.
Good to Know
The film is a standalone production and does not have sequels or adaptations that introduce new or intensified content in a franchise context. It integrates social commentary on issues like the private prison system and corporate greed into its dark fantasy narrative. The creators aimed to balance horror and comedy, with director Henry Selick noting it's "strong medicine emotionally and visually" but not intended to permanently scar children.
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