Some kids crave the danger and excitement found in horror movies, but they’re too young for adult-level scares.
Even this 50-something critic wasn’t prepared for what the “Terrifier” series delivered.
Some movies offer a bridge to the genre, a chance for pre-teens to sample it with cinematic guardrails. The recent “Goosebumps” adaptations fall into that category. So did Jack Black’s “The House with a Clock in Its Walls.”
“Sketch” gets that quasi-horror blend mostly right.
It’s an engrossing tale of loss, grief and resilience. The scares are sharply defined, but there’s no gore or profanity to make parents squirm.
Best of all? Young and old will cheer the story’s beleaguered heroes. Be warned. Children under 10 may get some unwanted nightmares from this probing take on loss.
Young Amber (Bianca Belle) uses art to process her mother’s death. She draws wild, violent images that suggest a disturbed mindset.
Her school is worried about her state of mind. So is her father, Taylor (Tony Hale, terrific), but he’s busy juggling work and suppressing his sense of loss.
Amber’s drawings depict beasts attacking the school bully, among other would-be victims. Her brother Jack (Kue Lawrence) tries to be supportive, but he’s understandably confused by her drawings.
He’s even more baffled by a local pond that appears to have magical powers. It heals his phone’s cracked screen in a blink, for example, along with a broken dish.
When Amber’s drawing pad gets an accidental dunk in the pond, it brings some of her ghastliest creatures to life.
And boy, are they angry.
Writer/director Seth Worley gave himself an almost impossible task. Tell a harrowing adventure where children are in peril while showcasing a family processing profound grief.
Most directors might muddle up the tonal balance between those narratives, but Worley appears well suited to the challenging material. His young leads do their part, delivering nuanced turns that leave the cutesy theatrics behind.
So does Hale, best known as the man-child Buster from “Arrested Development.” He modulates his comic timing to be both grounded and, on occasion, paternal. He works well with his on-screen sibling, “The Good Place’s” D’Arcy Carden, a realtor trying to keep his brother’s life in order.
The film’s editing is sharp and inspired, giving Worley’s punchlines the chance to land as intended. The real marvels are the CGI beasts sprung from Amber’s imagination. They look like a children’s sketch come to life, complete with raggedy lines and an impish sense of danger.
The film offers even more comic relief in the form of Bowman (Kalon Cox), the aforementioned bully. Picture a scene-stealer from a ‘90s kid comedy and you get the gist.
Worley’s direction here less polished, but younger audiences may disagree. Strenuously.
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The best children’s films work on dueling levels. They engage young minds while sharing something profound for adults. “Sketch” offers a meditation on grief and loss, using fantastical creatures to make its points.
And it can be quite scary.
A few lines of dialogue are on-the-nose, but they capture the real villain in play. It’s not a towering monster with one good eye but merely the cruelties of life.
“Sketch” leaves some unanswered questions, especially since the locals may have questions about the creatures rampaging across their neighborhood. Forget those distractions. This adventure has heart, hope and will keep audiences open to the healing power of family.
HiT or Miss: “Sketch” may be intense for younger viewers, but the rest of the family will marvel at the sweet performances and powerful life lessons.