Sketch (2025) - Film Review

      **Sketch, 2025.**

      **Written and Directed by Seth Worley.**

      **Starring:** Tony Hale, D’Arcy Carden, Bianca Belle, Kue Lawrence, Kalon Cox, Jaxen Kenner, Genesis Rose Brown, Randa Newman, Allie McCulloch, Nadia Benavides, Dajanae Cole, Josh Inocalla, and Leigha Hancock.

      **SYNOPSIS:**

      When a young girl's sketchbook accidentally falls into an unusual pond, the drawings spring to life—chaotic, real, and on the loose. As the town spirals into chaos, her family must come together to contain the monsters they inadvertently unleashed.

      In the creatively dark yet family-appropriate fantasy feature *Sketch*, writer and director Seth Worley tells the story of young Amber Wyatt (Bianca Belle), who is already experiencing a difficult phase in life. She grapples with the loss of her mother while, alongside her brother Jack (Kue Lawrence), contemplates whether having only their father, Taylor (Tony Hale), makes them orphans. At dinner, Jack looks up the correct term, revealing that they are “maternal orphans.” This information, however, offers little comfort to Amber, though Jack tries to lighten the mood with a Power Rangers joke.

      Everyone processes grief in their own way. Amber openly exhibits her emotional pain and endures bullying from classmate Bowman Lynch (Kalon Cox), intensifying her distress. Besides mourning her mother, Amber’s thoughts wander into a dark place, causing her to create unsettling images in her sketchbook, including one disturbing drawing of Bowman being stabbed.

      It must be noted that while this is a children’s film, the themes are still heavy for the genre. Historically, children’s films have tackled more serious subjects, and the very existence of *Sketch* serves as a breath of fresh air from a filmmaker who respects kids’ intelligence and aims to engage them in a story about darker themes, but with a playful twist. Additionally, it's important to highlight that Angel Studios, known for its often preachy content, had no involvement in the production of this film, despite being its distributor.

      Seth Worley conveys meaningful messages for children in *Sketch*, which are evident in an opening scene where Amber speaks with her school therapist, who encourages her to pursue her troubling art as it’s a healthier outlet than acting out against her bully. The film, much like the counselor, acknowledges that children understand deeply, and it patiently waits for Amber’s real emotions to surface. It's refreshing to see a film advocate for a child to nurture an artistic passion, even if it involves challenging themes. The importance of imagination is rightfully emphasized in *Sketch*.

      However, Amber finds herself in trouble, prompting her father, Taylor, to visit the school. This adds another layer of stress as he is currently trying to declutter their home of personal belongings in collaboration with his sister Liz (D’Arcy Carden) so they can sell it and start fresh. Although he worries about Amber’s sketches, he respects her privacy and refrains from prying into her drawings. Meanwhile, Jack maintains a cheerful facade but hasn’t fully processed his grief. He discovers a mysterious pond that can seemingly restore broken items (like his phone) and considers placing his mother’s ashes in it, hoping it might bring her back.

      As the plot unfolds, Amber’s monster drawings come to life, acting out their original intentions. This shifts the film into a family-friendly horror territory, featuring creatures brought to life through a mix of digital and practical effects. The practical effects are intentionally whimsical (imagine googly eyes or bright colors) to highlight that these are drawings. The film incorporates lighthearted visuals without downplaying the sense of danger, showcasing bus accidents, woodland adventures, and video game-inspired weapons emerging from sketches placed in the pond. Notably, one character on the loose symbolizes the darker thoughts within Amber as a human-shaped figure shrouded in darkness.

      *Sketch* also balances its serious tones with humor, ensuring that children have fun despite the dangers they face. The characters engage in banter, with a particularly poignant moment between Amber and Bowman, who is oblivious to how his teasing affects her deeply (this is one aspect that feels somewhat resolved too conveniently). While the humor occasionally feels off, and the action lacks a certain flair, it serves its purpose well for a young audience. It provides an inventive way to portray the struggles of battling inner demons, especially for children.

      The Wyatt family must band together not just to survive but to confront their feelings and the emotional baggage that hampers their healing process. The film effectively conveys poignant themes, uses vibrant colors, and reflects Amber’s imagination as it navigates loss and darkness through creativity.

      **Flickering Myth Rating – Film: ★ ★ ★ / Movie: ★ ★ ★**

      Robert Kojder