Lyric Ross
Kat Elliot (voice)
Overview
Two scheming demons strike a deal with a punk rock-loving teen so they can leave the Underworld and live out their dreams in the Land of the Living.
Cast
12 people
Reviews
5 min readDemons in the Details
I keep thinking about the way the light catches the edges of the puppets in Wendell & Wild. Not the warm, honeyed glow of a Pixar sunset, but something sharper—like the flicker of a match held too close to your face. That’s Henry Selick for you.
After decades of stop-motion alchemy (The Nightmare Before Christmas, Coraline), he doesn’t just build worlds; he carves them out of shadow and stubbornness, the way a kid might dig a fort into the dirt and refuse to come inside for dinner. This film, his first in over a decade, feels like a return to that same defiant playfulness, but with a layer of something darker, something more urgent.
It’s as if Selick looked around at the state of the world and decided that the only appropriate response was to make a movie about demons who just want to open a theme park.
The story follows Kat (Lyric Ross), a Black teenager with a punk-rock edge and a grief so heavy it’s practically a character itself. She’s stuck in Rust Bank, a dying town that feels like it’s been left to rot—literally, in some scenes, where the streets crumble into the underworld like a bad special effect. When she accidentally summons Wendell and Wild (voiced by Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele), two bumbling, fast-talking demons from the underworld, they strike a deal: she’ll help them escape to the land of the living, and in return, they’ll resurrect her parents, who died in a car crash she blames herself for.
It’s a premise that could’ve easily tipped into the kind of broad, kid-friendly chaos that animated films often default to. But Selick, ever the contrarian, steers it toward something stranger, funnier, and more emotionally raw.
Take the demons themselves. Wendell and Wild aren’t your typical hellspawn. They’re more like overgrown toddlers with horns—loud, impulsive, and utterly convinced of their own genius.
Audience Opinions
Audience 6.1/10
"A visually inventive stop-motion fantasy with strong voice performances, but its chaotic tone and uneven pacing leave some viewers underwhelmed."
Viewers praise the film’s unique stop-motion animation and the energetic voice work of Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele, which bring humor and charm to the story. latestnetflix.com's read is that however, the plot’s frenetic energy and tonal shifts—balancing comedy, horror, and fantasy—frustrate some, who find it disjointed or lacking depth in its world-building.
What viewers praise
- Striking stop-motion animation The film’s handcrafted visuals and imaginative character designs are widely celebrated for their creativity and detail.
- Strong voice performances Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele’s comedic timing and chemistry are highlighted as standout elements, delivering much of the film’s humor and heart.
- Unique blend of genres The mix of adventure, comedy, and fantasy appeals to those looking for something different from typical animated fare.
- Memorable soundtrack The original score and music add atmosphere and energy, with some viewers calling it a highlight.
Common complaints
- Chaotic pacing The film’s rapid shifts in tone and plot progression feel disjointed to some, making it hard to fully engage with the story.
- Underdeveloped world-building While visually rich, the film’s lore and character motivations are criticized as shallow or rushed, leaving key elements feeling unexplored.
- Uneven humor The comedic elements, while sharp at times, don’t always land, with some jokes falling flat or feeling out of place in the darker moments.
- Weak emotional core Despite its vibrant style, the story struggles to create a strong emotional connection, leaving some viewers indifferent to the characters’ journeys.
Recommended for
Stop-motion animation fans Fans of dark comedy-fantasy Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele enthusiasts Lovers of visually inventive films Adventure-comedy seekers
Full Plot (Spoilers)
Spoiler warning
This section contains the full plot, including major story reveals. Overview above stays spoiler-free.
Buzz & Rumors
Public reportsBehind the Scenes of Wendell & Wild: Henry Selick’s Dark Fantasy and the Cast’s Creative Chemistry
Wendell & Wild (2022) marked a long-awaited return to feature filmmaking for stop-motion legend Henry Selick, whose signature blend of dark fantasy and whimsy has defined cult classics like The Nightmare Before Christmas and Coraline. This Netflix original, co-written by Selick and Jordan Peele (who also stars alongside Keegan-Michael Key), promised a fresh take on the genre—one that leaned into horror-comedy while centering a young Black protagonist. latestnetflix.com's read is that but what went into bringing this underworld adventure to life?
A Stop-Motion Revival with Star Power
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxYoXcrh4N4
Selick’s expertise in stop-motion animation is well-documented 
, but Wendell & Wild was his first feature in over a decade. The film’s premise—a rebellious teen, Kat (Lyric Ross), accidentally summons two demon brothers (Key and Peele) from the underworld—offered a playground for Selick’s macabre creativity. The director’s knack for blending eerie visuals with humor was a perfect match for Key and Peele’s comedic timing, a dynamic teased in early cast reveals .
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rxl6xKhxPAc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OuhvSzqXTDY
The voice cast was stacked with talent, including Angela Bassett, James Hong, and Gabrielle Dennis, but the standout was newcomer Lyric Ross. In interviews, Ross hinted at the film’s unique tone, describing it as a mix of "scary, funny, and heartfelt" . The chemistry between Key and Peele, who also co-wrote the script, was a major selling point, with the duo’s shared sensibilities driving the film’s chaotic energy .
Behind the Scenes: Challenges and Creativity
Stop-motion animation is notoriously labor-intensive, and Wendell & Wild was no exception. While the evidence doesn’t detail specific production hurdles, the film’s 105-minute runtime suggests a meticulous process, likely involving hundreds of animators and artists. Selick’s films often feature intricate puppetry and practical effects, so it’s safe to assume Wendell & Wild followed suit, though specifics remain scarce.
The soundtrack, composed by Bruno Coulais (known for Coraline), earned praise for its eerie, atmospheric score, with a 7.3/10 rating from critics . The music complemented the film’s tone, balancing spooky and whimsical elements.
Reception and Legacy
Critically, Wendell & Wild landed with mixed but passionate reviews. It holds a 6.1/10 rating on SensCritique , with some praising its visuals and voice performances, while others found its narrative uneven. Rotten Tomatoes’ audience score reflects a similar divide, though the film’s cult potential seems assured given Selick’s fanbase.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gelmgmQVFD8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJp5pLsXhgo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KNUZsLfAMqk
The cast’s enthusiasm for the project was palpable in promotional materials. Key and Peele’s trailer appearances leaned into the film’s irreverent humor, while Ross’s interviews highlighted the importance of Kat as a Black female lead in a genre often dominated by white protagonists . Whether Wendell & Wild becomes a cult classic remains to be seen, but its bold style and star power make it a standout in Selick’s filmography.
Entertainment rumors and trivia aggregated from public reporting. Treat speculation as unverified unless a cited source confirms it.