There’s something about a child’s mind that can be equally one of the most wondrously creative things in existence and one of the most terrifying things in existence. Kids can seemingly stand up to almost anything, which is why there’s a legion of films made putting preteens in the center of world ending disasters and all manner of crazy adventures. “Sketch” is the latest in a long line of films like this, films that clearly owe a debt to the works of Spielberg and other imitators over the years. It just takes a, shall we say, more “artsy” approach to the subgenre.
The film follows aspiring artist Amber Wyatt, played by Bianca Belle (“Lady in the Lake”), her brother Jack Wyatt, played by Kue Lawence (“Unfrosted”), and their father Taylor, played by Tony Hale (“Arrested Development,” “Veep”), all quietly dealing with the death of their mother and Taylor’s wife Ally. Amber finds solace in filling her notebook with twisted drawings, which proves to be a healthy coping mechanism until the notebook is accidentally dropped into a nearby mysterious lake, and the monstrous sketches come to life, wreaking havoc on their small town and house.
Belle and Lawrence are the heart and soul of the film, and both carry it on their pre-teen shoulders. The wild tonal shifts that the film makes, from kid-centric horror to monster movie to emotional family heartbreak, are handled perfectly by them, and they are a truly believable sibling pair. The bickering back and forth, as well as the tiny details of close-knit sibling bonds are on full display and feel authentically messy. Hale is turning in some great work here, and while not completely out of his pre-existing skills, he still proves to be a great awkward dad without cranking up the quirk to unbearable levels. D'Arcy Carden (“The Good Place,” “A League of Their Own (2022)”) also appears as Aunt Liz, Taylor’s brother and a real estate agent trying to help sell their house, and she provides a great bit of maturity mixed with snark to offset the kid-centric adventure.
“Sketch” is the feature film debut of writer/director Seth Worley, but his years of experience working on short films is evident. Given the small-scale nature of the film, his handle over the heavy visual effects work is impressive, and the film’s editing is excellent. It pinballs back and forth between its subplots with a chaotic abandon and once things become chaotic, it never lets up. The monsters are a delightful mixture of craft store-styled visual effects, practical effects, stunt work, showcasing just how great things can be even on a (relatively) shoestring budget. Worley’s script also makes great use of its kid perspective, and at no point does it ever feel watered down or like it is talking down to the audience. There are curse words and bits of dark humor peppered throughout, but the dialogue feels particularly real, especially the moments between Amber and Jack. There are genuine sibling touches, and it might be one of the best representations of sibling bonds and bickering in a recent film.
The great musical score from Cody Fry is drenched in horror touches, becoming almost a reference in and of itself. The film as a whole has plenty of winks at previous horror flicks, and cinematographer Megan Stacey (“Balloon Animal,” “A Week in Watts”) definitely shoots a majority of the scenes like it is a horror film made for kids. However, this isn’t a film that’s thrown these references in to distract adults. There’s a genuine heart, thrill, and great pace to this adventure, separating it from films that are “for kids” and making sure it is a film “for families.”
“Sketch” is a big surprise. It wears its horror and Spielbergian influences proudly on its sleeve, but Worley also isn’t content to just stay safely in that box. His cast is great, with excellent performances from its child actors, and the script is sharp and pushes the edges of PG just enough to feel cool to kids. But the big beating heart at the center, led by Bianca Belle, is the reason to show up and "Sketch" makes its mark on a viewer's mind and heart with permanent ink. 4.5/5
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