PopHorror Let's Get Scared
Seth Worley makes his feature film debut as the writer & director for Sketch. Tony Hale (Veep 2012-2019) stars as a widowed father struggling to raise his two children amid the loss of their mother. Having trouble coping with the emotions of loss, Amber (Bianca Belle: Lady in the Lake 2024) has found refuge in drawing her darkest emotions in the form of scary monsters with frightening powers. After her notebook falls into a mysterious pond, all of her drawings magically come to life. It’s up to her and her brother, Jack (Kue Lawrence: Devil May Cry 2025), to stop these very real creatures from destroying the city.
While the movie is predominantly fantasy & adventure, the antagonists teeter into the realm of horror. Depending on the viewer, there may be an issue with the pacing of the first act. For little ones who appreciate more visual flair, they may struggle to sit still during the heavy exposition scenes. Fortunately, once the story truly begins, they’re in for a treat with plenty of brightly colored set pieces. The monsters provide a level of mayhem akin to minions & gremlins slathered in neon candy-coated chaos. They are a fun and wild blend of terrifying and whimsy that only a child can create.
Creature features that can be enjoyed by the entire family aren’t common, so Sketch works as a nice entryway into the world of horror movies. Some moments of action may be a tad bit much for the youngest of viewers, but there isn’t anything overly frightening. It’s scary enough for the little ones and silly enough for the older viewers. The story encourages parents to speak with their children about life and death in a way that isn’t overly gloomy. A concern parents might have with the film is its use of coarse language. While not frequent, there are instances of language that’s not appropriate for all ages.
For older viewers, there’s a lot to be appreciated. Thematically, the plot focuses on grief, loss, and coping mechanisms. The messaging does its best to share how both children and adults can manage these complex emotions. With the traditional pettiness that exists between siblings, Amber & Jack are there for each other and portray a healthy relationship that doesn’t become condescending. It’s an interesting decision to have them both portray wildly different representations of sorrow.
The movie is bursting at the seams with color & creativity. It highlights the symbolism within art and focuses on the idea that art can be enjoyed past a surface-level examination. It reinforces the messaging that creativity can be used as an outlet for all forms of expression and can represent a myriad of things.
Final Thought
Sketch provides a nice blend of humor and action that is enjoyable for all ages. Despite some pacing problems, it’s a celebration of the originality and imagination that comes from children truly expressing themselves. There are a couple of moments that may be particularly intense and frightening for them, but isn’t that the fun of scary movies?
Sketch arrives in theaters on August 6th, 2025.
