Laika, the Oregon-based studio known for its intricately crafted stop-motion animation, has released its latest feature, *Wildwood*, which is attracting attention as a potential contender for major awards. This marks the studio’s sixth feature film, following a string of critically acclaimed projects since *Coraline* debuted in 2009—all of which received Oscar nominations.
*Wildwood* is adapted from the 2011 novel by Colin Meloy, lead singer of the folk-rock band The Decemberists, with illustrations by his wife, Carson Ellis. The story is set in Portland and centers on Prue, portrayed by Peyton Elizabeth Lee, a teenage girl raised by her idealistic, hippie parents, played by Jake Johnson and Maya Erskine. Initially skeptical of her father’s whimsical tales, Prue is forced to reconsider when her baby brother is abducted by a flock of crows. Alongside Curtis, a Dungeons & Dragons enthusiast played by Jacob Tremblay, Prue ventures into the mysterious and perilous “Impassable Wilderness”—a fantastical realm inhabited by talking animals, including a giant owl voiced by Richard E. Grant and a hapless rabbit constable portrayed by Rob Delaney.
The film addresses themes of grief, loss, and the tension between childhood innocence and harsh realities, aligning it with Laika’s previous work such as *Kubo and the Two Strings*. Notably, *Wildwood* is aimed at a more mature audience of older children or young adults, featuring darker elements including violence, suicide, and human sacrifice. The narrative also explores the depths of maternal love and sacrifice, with moments that challenge viewers’ comfort zones. For example, a mystical grandmother figure offers both wisdom and a severe reprimand to Prue, underscoring the film’s complex emotional terrain.
At 131 minutes, *Wildwood* currently stands as the longest stop-motion feature ever made. Despite its visually stunning and meticulously detailed animation, the film’s pacing and storyline have been described as occasionally convoluted and reliant on familiar fantasy tropes. Critics have drawn comparisons to classic works of fantasy such as *Labyrinth*, *Alice in Wonderland*, and *The NeverEnding Story*. Carey Mulligan voices the Dowager Governess, a character noted for her icy presence, evoking comparisons to figures like Mrs. Coulter from *His Dark Materials* and the White Witch from *The Chronicles of Narnia*.
The story’s climax features a large-scale battle between a bandit king, voiced by Mahershala Ali, and the Dowager’s pack of coyotes. This sequence has been highlighted for its remarkable combination of stop-motion animation with computer-generated imagery, showcasing an unprecedented level of technical achievement in the medium.
The film concludes with a behind-the-scenes look at the extensive handcrafting involved in creating its intricate visuals, offering audiences insight into the painstaking artistry behind Laika’s animation process.