Where the Wild Things Are (2009)
Where the Wild Things Are (2009) is a cinematic, coming-of-age fable about a lonely boy named Max who escapes his small-world frustrations by sailing—literally and imaginatively—to an island of giant, ragged creatures who crown him their king. What starts as a child’s tantrum and flight from home becomes an intimate, often bittersweet exploration of anger, belonging, and the messy work of growing up. As a viewer you’ll move between the realistic and the dreamlike: scenes at home are grounded and emotionally raw, while the island sequences feel tactile and mythic, populated by large, puppet-like creatures whose gestures and voices give them surprising emotional depth. The film favors mood over plot—quiet, lingering shots, muted colors, and a spare but evocative soundscape combine to create a contemplative pace. Moments of play and wildness alternate with quieter confrontations and fragile reconciliation, so the emotional tone shifts from exuberant and rowdy to melancholic and tender. Expect to be moved more than entertained in the conventional sense. The movie invites you to inhabit a child’s point of view—his fantasies, power struggles, and vulnerabilities—and to reflect on family dynamics, loneliness, and the limits of imagination. It’s visually inventive and artistically bold, with a handcrafted feel that emphasizes texture and performance over spectacle. Best appreciated by viewers who enjoy thoughtful, character-driven films and those open to a melancholic, poetic take on childhood. Families can watch it together, but be aware the film’s emotional complexity and slower rhythm may resonate differently with younger children than with teens and adults.
Actors: Max Records, Catherine O'Hara, Forest Whitaker
Director: Spike Jonze
Runtime: 101 min
Genres: Adventure, Drama, Family
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