Wendell & Wild – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Wendell & Wild

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie2022

61%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Henry Selick's stop-motion demon comedy is Coraline's edgier, punk-rock cousin—creative and dark, but definitely not for the faint of heart.

6.4/10

80%

6.6

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Wendell & Wild

movie

PG-13, 2022

61%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Henry Selick's stop-motion demon comedy is Coraline's edgier, punk-rock cousin—creative and dark, but definitely not for the faint of heart.

6.4

80%

6.6

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6.4/10

80%

6.6

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Screenwise Verdict

Wendell Wild is the kind of animated movie that reminds you animation isn't just for little kids. From Henry Selick (who gave us Coraline nightmares), this stop-motion film is visually creative and thematically ambitious, tackling grief and redemption through a punk-rock lens with literal demons as protagonists.

The good: It's genuinely imaginative, offers something different from the Pixar/Disney formula, and treats its young audience with respect by not dumbing down complex emotions. The bad: It's classified as horror for a reason, and without clear content ratings, you're going in somewhat blind on exactly how scary it gets.

This is firmly in the 'preview first' category—not because it's inappropriate, but because it's dark enough that you need to know your kid's tolerance for creepy imagery and heavy themes. If your tween loved Coraline and is ready for something with more edge, this could be a hit. If they're still firmly in Encanto territory, save this for later.

Age Fit

Best for tweens and teens 11+ who can handle creepy imagery and dark themes. The horror elements and emotional heaviness around death/grief make this too intense for younger kids, while the animation style and fantastical premise keep it engaging for middle schoolers who want something edgier than typical family animation.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Stop-motion animated film with punk-rock aesthetic and demon protagonists creates an edgier tone than typical family fare. The premise involves scheming demons making deals, which leans darker. However, it's fundamentally about a teen processing grief and trauma, with themes of cooperation and redemption woven in. The punk/goth styling and underworld setting create emotional complexity that may feel heavy rather than uplifting for younger viewers, though it avoids being mean-spirited.

Imaginative

Strong originality in its stop-motion animation style (from Henry Selick of Coraline/Nightmare Before Christmas fame), blending underworld mythology with punk aesthetics and social themes. The premise of demons wanting to escape hell to pursue their dreams in the living world is genuinely creative. The visual world-building appears distinctive with its dark fantasy elements mixed with contemporary settings. Genre blend of animation/comedy/fantasy/horror/adventure suggests inventive storytelling that doesn't follow formula.

Safe

Horror genre tag is significant - this is explicitly marketed as horror animation, which means scary imagery, potentially disturbing underworld/demon visuals, and dark themes are expected. The premise involves death, the underworld, and 'scheming demons' making deals with a teenager, which carries inherent darker content. Without a content rating available, but given the horror classification and likely PG-13 territory, there's potential for jump scares, creepy imagery, and themes around death/grief that could be genuinely frightening for younger or sensitive kids. Not 'safe' in the sense of being unexpectedly appropriate for young children.

Enriching

Appears to tackle substantive themes including grief, trauma, and redemption through its fantastical lens. A protagonist dealing with loss and making difficult choices offers emotional depth and opportunities for processing complex feelings. The underworld/living world dynamic creates space for exploring life, death, and consequences. TMDB rating of 6.6 suggests decent but not exceptional reception - solid entertainment value but may not be transcendent. The punk-rock aesthetic and diverse representation (based on typical Selick/Jordan Peele collaboration patterns) add cultural enrichment, though without more data it's hard to confirm specific lessons or takeaways.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Visually distinctive stop-motion animation from the director of Coraline and Nightmare Before Christmas
Tackles real themes like grief, loss, and redemption through a fantastical lens that older kids can connect with
Punk-rock aesthetic and unconventional protagonists offer something different from typical animated fare
Creative premise that subverts expectations—demons who want to escape hell and pursue their dreams

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What to Watch For

This is literally tagged as horror—expect scary imagery, creepy underworld visuals, and potentially disturbing demon designs
Dark themes around death, the afterlife, and making deals with demons may be too heavy for younger or sensitive kids
The punk/goth aesthetic and edgy tone won't appeal to everyone; this isn't Disney-style comfort viewing
Without a content rating available, hard to know exactly how intense the scares get—preview first if your kid is easily frightened

Conversation Starters

"The demons want to leave the underworld to chase their dreams—what would you do if you could go anywhere?"
"Why do you think the main character agreed to help the demons? Would you make that deal?"
"The movie deals with some heavy stuff about loss—how do you think the characters are handling their grief?"
"What did you think of the stop-motion animation style? How is it different from other animated movies?"

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