Wendell & Wild Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A teenage girl with a chip on her shoulder accidentally unleashes two goofy demons who want to build a theme park for the dead, while also dealing with evil corporations and a secret demon-hunting nun, because apparently, everything happens in her small town.

🍿 Wendell & Wild: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Introduction to Kat Elliot and Rust Bank

The film introduces Kat Elliot, a troubled 13-year-old orphan haunted by the accidental death of her parents. She is placed in a Catholic school in her dilapidated hometown of Rust Bank, a town struggling against corporate takeover by the Klaxon Corporation. Kat is abrasive and distant, pushing away anyone who tries to connect with her.

Wendell and Wild’s Dream Faire

In the underworld, demon brothers Wendell and Wild toil under their father, Buffalo Belzer, replanting his hair. They dream of escaping this mundane existence and opening their own Dream Faire, a theme park for the dead. Desperate, they discover that Kat, a ‘Hell Maiden,’ possesses the power to summon them to the Land of the Living.

A Deal with Demons

Wendell and Wild contact Kat in her dreams, promising to resurrect her parents in exchange for her help summoning them. Kat, longing to see her parents again and burdened by guilt, reluctantly agrees. This sets in motion a chain of events that intertwines Kat’s personal struggles with the demons’ mischievous plans and the sinister corporate forces threatening Rust Bank.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Kat Elliot (Lyric Ross): A troubled 13-year-old orphan who is a Hellmaiden and summons Wendell and Wild to the Land of the Living.
• Wendell (Keegan-Michael Key): One of the scheming demon brothers who wants to build a dream fair.
• Wild (Jordan Peele): The other scheming demon brother who partners with Wendell to escape the underworld.
• Sister Helley (Angela Bassett): A mysterious nun who is secretly a demon hunter and mentors Kat.
• Raul (Sam Zelaya): Kat’s transgender friend who becomes an ally in her supernatural endeavors.
• Buffalo Belzer (Ving Rhames): The imposing demon father of Wendell and Wild.
• Lane Klaxon (David Harewood): A corrupt businessman seeking to exploit and privatize Rust Bank.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Kat: “I said they were demons, Raul! My personal demons! And they lied!” – Kat expresses her frustration and betrayal after realizing the demons she summoned have deceived her.
• Raul: “Maybe demons aren’t the most trustworthy creatures to make deals with.” – Raul responds with a moment of sarcastic wit after Kat realizes the demons lied to her.

💰Box Office

• Budget: N/A
• Domestic Gross: N/A
• Worldwide Gross: N/A

💥 Wendell & Wild Reviews

Personal Review

Wow, what a trip! ‘Wendell & Wild’ is like a rollercoaster of stop-motion madness. I loved the creepy vibes mixed with the humor, especially Key and Peele’s chemistry. The animation is mind-blowing, and Kat’s character arc really resonated with me. The nun secretly being a demon hunter?! I didn’t see that coming! It’s a wild ride, but so worth it.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of stop-motion animation”
  • “Viewers who enjoy dark fantasy and horror comedies”
  • “Fans of Henry Selick’s previous work (Coraline, Nightmare Before Christmas)”
  • “Fans of Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele’s comedy”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Deals with death and grief”
  • “Supernatural horror elements”
  • “Potentially scary imagery for younger viewers”
  • “Themes of corporate greed and social issues”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “Henry Selick’s return to stop-motion is visually stunning, blending artistry and humor. While the plot juggles many themes, the animation and voice acting make it a worthwhile experience. A bit messy, but undeniably creative.
• The Hollywood Reporter: “Wendell & Wild boasts incredible animation and a unique style, but the narrative struggles with too many subplots. Key and Peele are fantastic, but the story feels overstuffed, diluting the overall impact.
• IndieWire: “A visually striking and thematically rich stop-motion film. The plot is complex, but it’s saved by the inventive animation and the strong voice performances, particularly from Lyric Ross as Kat. The best stop-motion film made since Coraline.

Audience Reactions

The stop-motion animation is stunning and a visual feast.: Viewers praised the movie for its exceptional animation quality and unique character designs.

Key and Peele’s voice acting brings so much energy and humor to Wendell and Wild.: Fans loved the dynamic between Wendell and Wild, highlighting the comedy duo’s great performances.

Overall Consensus: Visually stunning and creative, but the overstuffed plot can be a bit overwhelming.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Henry Selick began developing the film from his unpublished book with Jordan Peele and Keegan-Michael Key in 2015.”
• “Production faced challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, with some animation being done remotely.”
• “Jack Skellington from ‘The Nightmare Before Christmas’ makes a cameo during the credits, appearing as a skull among others and as a topper on the juvenile justice van’s antenna.”

🖥️ How to Watch Wendell & Wild?

Wendell & Wild is currently available for streaming on Netflix. At this time, it is not available for rent or purchase on platforms such as Prime Video, Apple TV, or Google Play. A Netflix subscription is required to watch the film.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Wendell & Wild, you might like these similar films:

• Coraline (2009): Both are stop-motion animated films directed by Henry Selick, featuring dark fantasy themes and strong female protagonists.
• The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993): A classic stop-motion animated film with macabre themes and a unique visual style, also directed by Henry Selick, making it a must-see for fans of his work.
• ParaNorman (2012): Features a young protagonist dealing with supernatural abilities and societal issues, similar to Kat’s journey in Wendell & Wild.
• Beetlejuice (1988): A dark comedy with supernatural elements and quirky characters, appealing to those who enjoy the bizarre humor and themes in Wendell & Wild.

🛒 Wendell & Wild Related Products

• Wendell & Wild Kat Elliot Doll: A highly detailed, posable figure of Kat Elliot, complete with her signature punk outfit and accessories. Perfect for display and recreating your favorite scenes.
• Wendell & Wild Official Art Book: A behind-the-scenes look at the making of Wendell & Wild, filled with concept art, character designs, and interviews with the creators. Explore the world and the process of making the film.
• Wendell & Wild T-Shirt: Officially licensed t-shirt featuring the demon brothers, Wendell and Wild. Made from soft, comfortable material. Great graphic design that captures the essence of the movie.
• Wendell & Wild Limited Edition Poster: A limited edition poster featuring original artwork from the movie. Printed on high-quality paper. Perfect for framing and displaying your love for ‘Wendell & Wild’.

🎧 Soundtrack

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

• “Ma and Pa” – performed by Fishbone
• “Used to be my Home” – performed by Otis Redding
• “Everything Must Change” – performed by Nina Simone

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

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

How Coraline goes from Prey to Predator

Ever wondered how Coraline managed to outsmart the Other Mother? This video dives deep into Coraline’s journey, showing how she evolves from being prey to a predator. It’s a super interesting perspective on her character arc!

✨ Rate