Laika’s 'Wildwood' Pushes Stop-Motion Limits with a 132-Minute Portland Fantasy

Key points

• The film is the longest stop-motion animated feature in history, running 2 hours and 12 minutes.
• It is the first Laika film explicitly set in Portland, Oregon, the studio’s home base.
• The movie carries a PG-13 rating, unusual for the animation genre, due to intense violence and dark themes.
• Costume designer Deborah Cook created over 200 handmade pieces, including microscopic chainmail and embroidered knitwear.
• The production took 16 years, from initial manuscript discovery in 2010 to release, with a pause during the pandemic.

Background

Laika has previously produced acclaimed stop-motion films like 'Coraline' and 'Kubo and the Two Strings.' Recent industry coverage highlights 'Wildwood' as a counter to generative AI trends, emphasizing human craftsmanship. The studio’s previous works established a reputation for artisanal detail, which 'Wildwood' expands upon with a larger budget and scope.

How outlets are covering it

Rolling Stone praises the film’s visual artistry and its homage to 1990s animation but criticizes its predictable narrative structure. The New York Times highlights the film’s magical scope and tragic elements, calling it a 'Critic’s Pick.' Smithsonian Magazine focuses on the technical challenges of costume design, noting the use of rapid prototyping and embroidery for miniature garments. Condé Nast Traveler emphasizes the film’s role as a love letter to Portland, with director Travis Knight citing local landmarks like Crater Lake and Haystack Rock as inspirations for the fantasy world.

Why it matters

The film represents a significant commercial and artistic gamble for Laika. Its PG-13 rating and high production cost ($100 million) challenge the dominance of PG-rated franchises in the animation market. It also serves as a statement on the value of human-made animation in an era of increasing AI usage in media.

What to watch

The film is currently in wide release in US theaters. Industry analysts are monitoring its box office performance to determine if the mature rating and high cost can sustain a commercial return. Future Laika projects may continue to explore complex, adult-oriented narratives in stop-motion.