Coraline Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A girl finds a door to a world where everyone has buttons for eyes and wants to sew them on her too, because apparently, good parenting means trapping souls in a creepy dollhouse.

🍿 Coraline: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Boredom and Discovery

Coraline Jones moves with her parents to the Pink Palace Apartments in Oregon. Feeling neglected by her workaholic parents, she explores the old house and meets Wybie Lovat, a local boy, and a mysterious black cat. Coraline discovers a small, locked door with a bricked-up wall behind it.

The Other World

One night, Coraline finds the door open, leading to a vibrant, idealized version of her life. In this “Other World,” she meets her Other Mother and Other Father, who have buttons for eyes and lavish her with attention and delicious food. The neighbors are also present, but in more exciting and entertaining forms.

The Dark Truth

As Coraline spends more time in the Other World, she realizes it’s a trap. The Other Mother wants Coraline to stay forever and sew buttons onto her eyes. When Coraline refuses, the Other Mother reveals her true, monstrous form and imprisons Coraline in a mirror, where she meets the ghosts of children who were previously trapped by the Other Mother.

The Challenge

Coraline escapes the mirror and makes a deal with the Other Mother: if she can find the souls of the trapped children and her real parents, the Other Mother will let them all go. Coraline uses a magical stone to locate the souls, which are hidden throughout the Other World. The world begins to unravel as she finds them.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Coraline Jones (Dakota Fanning): A curious and resourceful young girl who discovers a dangerous alternate world while seeking attention and excitement.
• The Other Mother/Beldam (Teri Hatcher): A deceptive and malevolent entity who lures children into her alternate world to steal their souls.
• Mel Jones (Teri Hatcher): Coraline’s often-distracted and hardworking mother, who struggles to balance work and family.
• Charlie Jones (John Hodgman): Coraline’s well-meaning but preoccupied father, who is focused on his work as a gardening writer.
• Wyborne ‘Wybie’ Lovat (Robert Bailey Jr.): A talkative and somewhat awkward boy who lives in the Pink Palace Apartments and eventually helps Coraline.
• The Cat (Keith David): A mysterious and sardonic talking cat who can travel between worlds and offers Coraline cryptic advice.
• Miss April Spink (Jennifer Saunders): One of Coraline’s eccentric neighbors, a retired actress who gives Coraline an adder stone for protection.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Coraline: “I don’t want anything else to do with you. You’re not my mother!” – Coraline firmly rejects the Other Mother, declaring her independence and bravery.
• Cat: “You probably think this world is a dream come true. But you’re wrong.” – The cat warns Coraline about the true nature of the Other World and its deceitful allure.
• Other Mother: “We only want what’s best for you.” – Said with a sinister undertone, highlighting the manipulative nature of the Other Mother’s ‘love’.
• Coraline: “I want to be awake. I want to wake up!” – Coraline expresses her desire to escape the dreamlike, dangerous reality of the Other World.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $60,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $123,968,333
• Worldwide Gross: $207,244,079

💥 Coraline Reviews

Personal Review

I absolutely loved Coraline! The animation is so detailed and beautiful, it’s like stepping into a living painting. The story is creepy, yes, but also so smart and heartwarming. The scene where Coraline stands up to the Other Mother gave me chills, and I left the theatre feeling empowered. Definitely a new favorite!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of dark fantasy and stop-motion animation”
  • “Viewers who enjoy visually stunning and imaginative films”
  • “Those who appreciate stories with strong female protagonists”
  • “Audiences who like films with a blend of humor and horror”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Scary imagery and scenes that may be disturbing for young children”
  • “Themes of manipulation and emotional neglect”
  • “Some scenes with body horror elements (e.g., button eyes, spider-like transformations)”
  • “Occasional mild language”

Professional Reviews

• The New York Times: “Coraline is a visually stunning and genuinely unsettling film that manages to be both enchanting and terrifying. Selick’s stop-motion animation is masterful, and the story, while dark, is ultimately about the importance of family and self-acceptance.
• Rotten Tomatoes: “Coraline is a visually dazzling and wonderfully imaginative film that will captivate audiences of all ages. The stop-motion animation is breathtaking, and the story is both creepy and heartwarming.
• Empire Magazine: “Henry Selick has crafted a modern masterpiece with Coraline. The film is visually stunning, the story is compelling, and the characters are unforgettable. This is a film that will stay with you long after the credits roll.

Audience Reactions

The stop-motion animation is incredible and sets a new standard for the medium.: Visually stunning and incredibly imaginative.

The story is both creepy and heartwarming, making it a unique and memorable experience.: Perfect blend of fantasy, horror, and heartfelt storytelling.

Overall Consensus: Coraline is a critically acclaimed animated film praised for its stunning visuals, imaginative story, and masterful stop-motion animation. It is considered a modern classic and a must-see for fans of animation and dark fantasy.

Awards

1. BAFTA Awards (Best Children’s Film)- 2010

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film took four years to make, with stop-motion animators producing only a few seconds of footage per day.”
• “Dakota Fanning, who voiced Coraline, was recorded in sessions spaced months apart to realistically capture Coraline’s changing emotional states.”
• “The miniature sets were incredibly detailed, with the tiny sweaters worn by Coraline being knitted on needles so small they required magnification to use.”

🖥️ How to Watch Coraline?

Coraline is available for streaming on various platforms. You can find it for rent or purchase on Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check local listings for television airings. Some platforms may also offer a subscription option to watch it as part of their movie library.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Coraline, you might like these similar films:

• The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993): Directed by Henry Selick, this stop-motion animated film shares a similar visual style and dark fantasy themes.
• Pan’s Labyrinth (2006): A dark fairy tale with a young female protagonist who discovers a fantastical but dangerous alternate world to escape her bleak reality.
• Spirited Away (2001): A young girl enters a mysterious world and has to adapt in order to save her parents.
• Labyrinth (1986): A young girl must navigate a fantastical labyrinth to rescue her baby brother from the Goblin King.
• ParaNorman (2012): Another stop-motion animated film with a focus on supernatural themes and a young protagonist dealing with unusual circumstances.

🛒 Coraline Related Products

• Coraline: The Graphic Novel: Experience Neil Gaiman’s acclaimed story in graphic novel form. Perfect for revisiting the world of Coraline.
• Coraline Funko Pop! Figure: Add this iconic character to your Funko Pop! collection. A must-have for any true Coraline fan.
• Coraline (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) [MP3]: Relive the haunting and beautiful music of Coraline with the original soundtrack. Perfect for setting the mood or reminiscing about the film.
• Coraline Button Eye T-Shirt: Show your love for the movie with this unique t-shirt featuring the iconic button eyes. Comfortable and stylish for everyday wear.

🎧 Soundtrack

Coraline features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Other Father Song” – performed by They Might Be Giants
• “Dreaming” – performed by Bruno Coulais
• “Sirens of the Sea” – performed by Michele Mariana

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

BTS with Animator Victor Haegelin in Celebration of Coraline Returning to Theaters

Ever wondered how the stunning animation in Coraline was created? Dive behind the scenes with animator Victor Haegelin and be amazed by the artistry and dedication that went into bringing this enchanting world to life.

Hand-Making Coraline: Behind LAIKA’s First Feature | LAIKA Studios

Get ready for an in-depth look at the groundbreaking stop-motion animation of Coraline! This video will transport you into the world of LAIKA Studios, where artists poured their hearts into crafting this cinematic masterpiece.

Coraline explained by an idiot

In a hurry but still curious about Coraline? This witty recap will give you all the essential details, leaving you both entertained and informed. Perfect for a quick laugh and a movie plot summary in one!

The Coraline Bug Theory

Think you know Coraline inside out? Think again! This intriguing video presents a captivating theory that will challenge your understanding of the film and its hidden meanings. Get ready to see Coraline in a whole new light!

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