Entertainment · Film · 2 hrs ago
Reviews praise Wildwood's stop-motion craft but differ on its story
Wildwood is a stop-motion fantasy film about Prue, a girl living in Portland, Oregon.
When crows carry off her baby brother, Prue follows them into a magical wilderness, joined by a schoolmate.
The film is based on a 2011 fantasy novel by Colin Meloy and Carson Ellis, and was directed by Travis Knight.
One review calls its handmade animation dazzling, while another says the elaborate visuals outshine a familiar story.
The film also includes graphic violence, including bloody fighting and threats to a baby.
The reviews therefore point to a striking piece of filmmaking whose story and violent scenes may not work for every viewer.
Reviews of the stop-motion fantasy film “Wildwood” praise its detailed animation but disagree about the strength of its story.
The AP review calls the story poor and says the film’s technology outstrips it.
The /Film review says the visuals make familiar fantasy elements feel fresh.
The film is directed by Travis Knight and is based on a novel by Colin Meloy and Carson Ellis.
It follows Prue McKeel as she enters a magical wilderness to rescue her kidnapped baby brother.
- Who
- Wildwood” is directed by Travis Knight and follows Prue McKeel, voiced by Peyton Elizabeth Lee.
- What
- The film is a stop-motion fantasy adventure. Reviews praise its visual craft but differ on its story.
- When
- The reviews were published on October 19 and 20, 2026.
- Where
- The story begins in Portland, Oregon, and moves to the Impassable Wilderness.
- Why
- Prue enters the wilderness to rescue her baby brother, Mac, after crows take him.
AP review
/Film review
Story
AP review
The AP review calls the story poor and says it relies on standard conventions.
/Film review
/Film says the visuals make familiar fantasy clichés feel new again.
Overall assessment
AP review
The AP review says the film’s technical achievement exceeds its story.
/Film review
/Film calls the film visually astonishing and says it is one of 2026’s best.
/Film published its review, praising the film’s visuals and saying they make familiar fantasy elements feel fresh.
AP published its review, praising the craft but criticizing the story.
- Director
- Travis Knight
- Source novel
- 2011 middle-grade fantasy novel by Colin Meloy, illustrated by Carson Ellis
- Animation
- Stop-motion
- Puppets and sets
- 230 hand-controlled puppets across 132 sets
- Runtime
- More than two hours
- Setting
- Portland, Oregon, and the Impassable Wilderness
3 sources
What people are saying
The technology outstrips the story.
Finally, finally, we can breathe and take in the beauty of it all.