An Apple TV Picture, Written by Will Collins, Directed by Tomm Moore, Ross Stewart.
In a time of superstition and magic, when wolves are seen as demonic and nature an evil to be tamed, a young apprentice hunter, Robyn (Honor Kneafsey), comes to Ireland with her father (Sean Bean) to wipe out the last pack. But when Robyn saves a wild native girl, Mebh (Eva Whittaker), their friendship leads her to discover the world of the Wolfwalkers and transform her into the very thing her father is tasked to destroy.
The film is very much operating on two levels; one is telling the story of a young girl who meets a girl and discovers an entire side of herself she never knew, whilst her father fights to protect her, and it also tells the story of Oliver Cromwell and the British colonisation of Ireland. As for the latter, this is a story I didn’t expect the film to tell at all, but was very impressed that it tackles it head on, and while there is much more about this that it could dig into more explicitly, it effectively lays the seeds. Cromwell’s cruelty there for all to see, and the way in which the wolves are treated as outcasts on their own land is very clearly a metaphor for the British takeover of Ireland.
It is very refreshing to see a single father and his relationship with his daughter be presented so earnestly here. He is a man of principle, who is doing his best to protect the only thing he has left, and is determined to do whatever it takes, even if it exhausts him and isn’t always morally right. Robyn loves him deeply too and they have a great relationship, but she is also not afraid to stand up to him when she thinks he is wrong, or if he is getting in the way of her discovering who she really is.
The key driving force of the story is the relationship between Robyn and Mebh, two people from completely different worlds who meet at the exact right time and bring out the best in each other. Their friendship is the core of the narrative and they understand each other better than anyone else can. There is a clear queer subtext to their relationship and it was obvious to me they were in love, and would likely discover more about that as their relationship goes on. They are only young and the film handles this whole dynamic authentically and allows for their beautiful bond to form naturally, and make you deeply care about them both individually and together.
The animation, as we have come to expect from the talented team at Irish company Cartoon Saloon, is incredibly impressive and still unique in a world where standard 3D animation has become the norm. This much more hand drawn style perfectly matches the story being told, as it allows for the sense of magic and nature to perfectly mix, and the wildness of youth to be presented in the animation and not just in the story. The ‘wolf vision’ sequences in particularly are the most beautiful bits of animation I have seen this year, and even though Pixar’s Soul (2020) is still the heavy favourite this awards season (and deservedly so), I think Wolfwalkers (2020) very much deserves to be competing against it strongly in the battle for best animated film. As all good animation should do, it manages to smartly balance its appeal to both kids and adults, giving everyone something they can enjoy from this film.
The voice performances from the entire ensemble are impressive and feel very natural in the world that the film creates. However, it is the three lead performances that really stand out; Honor Kneafsey brings a real feistiness to protagonist Robyn, but also had a genuine kindness that makes her someone you immediately root for (and she is animated to look exactly like actress Saoirse Ronan, who ironically unlike Robyn, is actually Irish), Eva Whittaker is a revelation in the role of Mebh, bringing a feral and adventurous spirit to the young wolfwalker, but also manages to portray the vulnerability that is really working away underneath. Sean Bean completes the lead trio, in the most truly Sean Bean way possible as a kind man, with a strong Yorkshire accent, who is dedicated to his cause whilst wanting to protect his family. It is understandable if this reminds you of his role as Ned Stark, but it does take different turns and the journey his character goes on is fascinating, and brilliantly portrayed by the naturally likable Bean.
Overall, this is a big win for Apple TV+ as they try to build out their service with more quality content, and this is certainly that. A story of family, acceptance, coming of age, and of colonialism, all mixed together by some unique and truly stunning animation.
Rating = 4/5
Howe's World of Film and TV 