Review: Wolfwalkers

With just over a week to go until Christmas, the weather continuing to be a bit rubbish, and the kids frothing at the mouth due to a mix of COVID restrictions and the excitement of Santa’s arrival, you are probably looking for a suitable distraction to keep them entertained. Well, you are in luck, because that distraction has arrived in the shape of the animated fantasy movie, Wolfwalkers.

Directed by Tomm Moore and Ross Stewart, Wolfwalkers is a stunning piece of animation set in Ireland in 1650. The film follows the story of a young girl called Robyn, who lives in a small English settlement with her father.

Robyn is very headstrong, and despite her father’s insistence that she remain home at all times, she is keen to see life outside her four walls, so ventures into the nearby woods. But here Robyn encounters a pack of wolves, as well as a mysterious stranger called Mebh.

This chance encounter between Robyn and Mebh develops into a friendship, but Robin soon discovers there is more to Mebh than meets the eye. She is a wolfwalker – a person who can transform into a wolf – and this causes multiple problems for Robyn, because her father is tasked with hunting down all of the wolves in the wood.

Wolfwalkers features the vocal talent of Sean Bean, Honor Kneafsey, and Eva Whittaker. The film was released in select UK cinemas back in October, which may have passed you by due to regional COVID restrictions, but it is now available to stream on Apple TV+.

You need to be an Apple TV+ subscriber to watch the movie, but you can sign up for a month-long subscription for £4.99. Alternatively, if you don’t want to commit to yet another subscription, and you only want to watch this film, you can simply take out a free 7-day trial, watch Wolfwalkers, then cancel (it won’t cost you a penny).

Whatever you do, make sure you check out this movie. Wolfwalkers is an enchanting film, which is a complete pleasure to watch.

Wolfwalkers is an original concept, and is not based on a pre-existing text – although it does share some similarities to movies such as Brother Bear (2003) and Brave (2012). The story is by directors Moore and Stewart, with the screenplay by Will Collins, and the animation comes courtesy of Cartoon Saloon and Mélusine Productions.

And let me just address the animation: It is delightful.

The animation has a wonderful ethereal quality to it and it makes the movie look as if it has been lifted from an elaborate children’s picture book. It is incredibly detailed, is gorgeous to look at, and has a timeless feel.

I was absolutely mesmerised watching this movie and couldn’t take my eyes off the rich colours, the bold designs, and the sheer beauty. I’m calling it now, with animation like this, Wolfwalkers will last the test of time.

This movie may not be arriving with the same bravado and marketing power of a Disney movie, but I am completely confident it will find its audience, will grow in popularity over the coming years, and in time will feature in lists about the best animated movies. It really is that good.

I can’t recommend Wolfwalkers enough – this is an absolute treat. It is perfect for the entire family, but the youngest members in particular will adore it.

If you are currently climbing the walls or going lockdown loopy, gather the whole household together, get Wolfwalkers on your television, and get lost in this picture. It is one of the best-looking movies I have seen in a very long time.  

Read more:

• Review: Godmothered
• 65 kids’ movies to watch during the holidays
• Review: Mulan (2020)