Laika, the Portland-based studio that created *Coraline*, has released its new stop-motion animated fantasy adventure, *Wildwood*. The film is directed by Travis Knight, Laika’s lead animator, and written by Chris Butler.
The story is adapted from the bestseller of the same title by Carson Ellis and Colin Meloy, a member of the band The Decemberists. Set in modern-day Portland, Oregon, the narrative explores a mythologised forest park next to the city, known as the "wildwood," where strange creatures and talking animals reportedly reside, unknown to city dwellers.
The plot follows 12-year-old Prue (voiced by Peyton Elizabeth Lee) and her classmate Curtis (Jacob Tremblay) after Prue's baby brother, Mac, is carried off by crows into the forest. They discover a parallel world populated by various creatures and oppressed humans. The film features voice performances from Carey Mulligan as an evil dowager governess and Mahershala Ali as the bandit leader Brendan.