Sketch follows a young girl who struggles with her mother’s loss and strained family ties. To deal with her anger, she draws monsters that eat people, but when her drawings fall into a magical river, they come to life and start hunting those she resents. While the premise taps into nostalgia for films like Goosebumps, Jumanji, and Gremlins, it doesn’t quite match the charm and creativity of those classics.
On the plus side, Tony Hale stands out as the father, adding humor and heart to an otherwise dull story, even though he’s asked to perform silly actions, like repeatedly entering the house while it’s being shown to potential buyers. The idea of the drawings coming to life, though not entirely new, is interesting, and some of the monster designs and effects are notable.
However, the execution leaves much to be desired. Unlike Gremlins, which introduces a vibrant, lived-in town before chaos erupts, Sketch feels constrained and small. Scenes in locations like a school bus or classroom feel oddly empty, making the world feel lifeless. Whether due to budget constraints or other factors, the lack of depth in setting affects the film’s immersion.
The monsters themselves also fail to engage. Rather than evolving into threats as the girl’s emotions intensify, they already start as basic villains with no escalation and little real threat. There is also no sense of wonder, perhaps through a lovable creature, which is required for this kind of film.
The children’s performances are equally problematic, with their arcs blatantly spelled out in dialogue, leaving no room for subtlety. The emotional connection between the monsters and the children’s internal struggles feels forced, and the final showdown is an underwhelming “boss battle” that devolves into a generic monster fight.
Perhaps the most glaring issue is the score, which comes across as cheap and synthetic. In its attempt to mimic the iconic soundtracks of ’80s and ’90s classics, it falls flat, sounding hollow and devoid of emotion. It fails to evoke any real feeling or leave a memorable impression. In a way, the score is a fitting reflection of the film itself, full of good intentions but lacking the magic and depth needed to stand alongside the beloved movies it clearly aspires to emulate.
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- Where to watch
- Rent or buy at Apple TV Store
- Where to watch
- Rent or buy at Apple TV Store, Amazon Video
Play trailer
- Original title
- Sketch
- Director
- Seth Worley
- Cast
- Tony Hale, D'Arcy Carden, Bianca Belle, Kue Lawrence, Kalon Cox, Jaxen Kenner, Genesis Rose Brown, Randa Newman
- Rated
- PG
- Screenwriter
- Seth Worley
- Composer
- Cody Fry
- Cinematography
- Megan Stacey
- Editor
- Seth Worley
- Country
- Language
- English
- Budget
- $4.8 million
- Box office
- $10.759 million
- Distributor (CA)
- Angel Studios