‘Sketch’ Review – Irresistibly Charming And Undeniably Good

Synopsis:

When a young girl’s sketchbook falls into a strange pond, her drawings come to life—unpredictable, chaotic, and dangerously real. As the town unravels, she and her brother must track down the creatures before they leave permanent damage. Their father, racing to find them through the fallout, must navigate a town in crisis to reunite his family and stop the disaster they never meant to unleash.

I know we want to protect our children at all costs, but we can’t always baby them. Not only do they hate it way earlier than you think, but it hinders their real-world experiences. The world can be a dark place, but if you never show them how to use a flashlight or that they even exist, how can they find their way to safety? Yes, as a parent or guardian, you want to be seen as a provider, but also a refuge from the infinite dangers that surround us. However, kids are tough and resilient, and smart; you don’t have to sugarcoat everything. If you’re providing them with tools to help themselves, the world becomes less scary for you and them. They may even teach you a thing or two. They will always be your baby, just make sure they are equipped with kindness, compassion, an internal fire, and perhaps some tentacles.

“You can’t control your inbox, but you can control your outbox.”

A picture may be worth a thousand words, but a drawing can come to life with nefarious plans to end everyone in sight. Written and directed by Seth Worley, Sketch is the surprise gem of the year and a genuine blast. The film perfectly balances its subtle toe-dip into horror along with its comedic elements, all while capturing an incredibly authentic family dynamic and tackling heavier topics. Feeling reminiscent of films from the past that featured unsupervised and independent kids on bikes, it still manages to remain true to today’s sensibilities. Worley’s newest vision effortlessly bridges the gap between generations. It’s irresistibly charming and undeniably good. Not to mention, fun for the whole family. 

If you’re wondering what vibe Sketch radiates, think Goonies, IF, Harold and the Purple Crayon, or Bridge to Terabithia; however, unlike most films that thrive in the family movie arena, Sketch isn’t based on or adapted from any previous intellectual property. This is an original idea, and that creativity flourishes on screen. From the vibrant and sometimes eerie visuals, such as the Eyeders, to the ominous tone and comedic counterweight, Seth Worley has created something of substance that will withstand the test of time. The subject matter is timeless, the characters are relatable, and the lessons learned will benefit everyone.

“I promise, I didn’t want this.”

This heartbreaking, heartwarming, uplifting, and incredibly entertaining journey is full of emotion and sure to elicit tears as well as laughter. It features a score that is both chilling and lively, pairing well with the abundance of danger and the awesome hero-like defense. Moreover, it comes with a supply of great performances and some extremely cool moments. As the narrative focuses on how to combat the drawings created in anger and frustration, and have now come to life, at its core, it’s about grief. This family of three, the father, Taylor, and children Amber and Jack, is in a state of perpetual sadness. The only one handling her sorrow healthily is the youngest of them all, Amber. Unfortunately, for her and the rest of the town, her emotions may get the best of everyone. The film does an amazing job delving into this difficult topic in a way that kids can understand without oversimplifying the message or its overall goal. It champions positivity, second chances, and the belief in one another. If you don’t walk out of this movie feeling good, you watched it wrong. Its rewatchability is high.

Pace & Pop

The film maintains a menacing yet adventurous pace that steadily builds throughout. As the feelings of discovery and excitement grow, so does anticipation and thrill. What popped for me was the VFX. It not only looks amazing, but it actually looks as if the drawings were peeled from the page. The texture, gloss, or lack thereof, depending on the drawing utensil, showcases the care and attention to detail. 

Characters & Chemistry

Starring: Tony Hale, D’Arcy Carden, Bianca Belle, Kue Lawrence, Kalon Cox

This ensemble cast couldn’t have been any better. Highlighted by the wonderful Goonies-like performances of Bianca Belle, Kue Lawrence, and Kalon Cox, if you’re not a kid, you’ll feel like one again. While Belle delivers angst and expression as Amber, Lawrence conveys vulnerability and pain in addition to fearlessness as the brother, Jack. Kalon Cox brings the funny early and often as friend/bully, Bowman. Skillfully portraying a grieving husband and struggling father, Tony Hale leaves the quirks for the kids in this outing. One minute you want to shake him, the next, you want to hug him. Lastly, while we don’t get as much D’Arcy Carden as we’d like, she definitely pulls focus in each scene she’s in, being the adult voice of reason.

Sketch draws its way into theaters on August 6, 2025. Stay safe and stay creative.

Rated: PG Runtime: 1h 32m Director: Seth Worley Writer: Seth Worley Producers: Steve Taylor, Tony Hale, Kevin Downes, Daryl Lefever, and Katelyn Botsch