Laika's 'Wildwood' trades deep lore for 136 handcrafted sets

Laika Studios spent 16 years constructing 136 sets and 230 puppets for the release of 'Wildwood.' This labor-intensive process resulted in a 132-minute film that adapts Colin Meloy's 2011 fantasy novel. The movie hit theaters on Oct. 23, 2026. While the visual craftsmanship is extensive, the narrative structure remains a point of contention for reviewers.

The film follows Prue, played by Peyton Elizabeth Lee, as she wanders through Portland, Oregon, with her baby brother Mac. A flock of crows abducts the infant, dragging Prue into the Impassable Forest. This transition moves the story from a realistic urban setting to a magical environment. The shift allows the stop-motion animation to display its full range of physical detail.

The production emphasizes tangible textures over digital rendering. Leaves rustle, roots trip characters, and branches require ducking. These small physical interactions create a world that feels grounded yet fantastical. The art direction includes specific details like gold buttons on coyote military uniforms and crawling ivy that forms the forest's structure. This level of granularity distinguishes the film from standard digital animation.

Critics argue that the visual style compensates for weak storytelling. The film delays explaining the lore of the Impassable Forest until late in the runtime. When the backstory finally arrives, it arrives through direct exposition rather than organic discovery. This approach leaves the first half of the movie confusing. It also lowers the stakes for the second half by rushing the conflict.

The character development faces similar scrutiny. The story introduces a large number of factions, including a kingdom of birds, an army of coyotes, a bureaucratic animal society, and a crew of bandits. The sheer volume of characters prevents the audience from connecting with any single group. Prue herself remains largely stagnant. She begins and ends the film as a snarky teenager focused on retrieving her brother. Her luck appears to drive the plot rather than her actions.

The Impassable Forest itself functions as a static backdrop. Elements of the world do not move unless Prue interacts with them. This lack of independent world activity reduces the urgency of the villain's threat. There is no clear deadline before the antagonist wins. The narrative relies on Prue's success to keep the world moving, which keeps the stakes low.

Despite these structural issues, audiences and critics have praised the film's imaginative concept. It offers a departure from major studio franchises and sequels. The visual effort is evident in every frame. The film succeeds as a visual spectacle even if the plot lacks depth. This performance has sparked debate on how to judge stylized cinema.

Mariah Garnett, an associate professor of media at UC San Diego, addressed the tension between artistic risk and narrative quality. "Some notable Hollywood stars have said that we shouldn't overly criticize films that take creative risks, whether they are successful or not, because studios are so reluctant to make anything other than Marvel movies," Garnett said. She added that directors outside Hollywood take risks constantly. "I don't think a film that is stylized should be judged by any different parameters than any other film," she stated.

The film received a mixed rating of three and a half stars. It is rated PG-13. The cast includes Jacob Tremblay and Carey Mulligan alongside Lee. The project represents a major effort to revitalize the stop-motion industry. The release stands as a testament to the long-term dedication of Laika's artists.