Coraline

It was back in 2002 when writer Neil Gaiman’s dark fantasy children’s novel Coraline was released to a rapturous reception and multiple literature awards. Since then, the story has been adapted for the stage, videogames and even as an opera, but the most recognised adaptation comes in the form of Henry Selick’s 2009 stop-motion animated movie.

To mark the 15^th anniversary of its release, Selick’s supernatural fantasy Coraline is now being re-released to horrify children and adults alike once again. A beautifully crafted film that holds a chilling story, Coraline tells the tale of an adventurous and inquisitive young girl who, after discovering a secret portal in the wall of her new family home, unearths a fantastical parallel world where all her dreams come true. However, there is one catch; this idealised version of her own dysfunctional home has its own sinister secrets, and nothing is ever quite as good as it seems.

Coraline features an array of stars including a young Dakota Fanning, Dawn French, Jennifer Saunders, Teri Hatcher and Ian McShane, all of whom bring their own sprinkling of life and eccentricity to their characters through their voice acting. Staying relatively truthful to the source material means Coraline is certainly a lot more frightening than you might expect an animated movie to be. While there is charm in abundance, it is mixed in with fear, creepiness and a feeling of isolationism. The iconic soundtrack from Bruno Coulais contributes to this sense of uncertainty, sounding both whimsical and melancholic concurrently, and all these elements come together in a cauldron of stop-motion creativity to create one of the best movies of its kind in the 21^st century.

As well as the exciting storyline, the most important element in the success of this movie is how it looks. The real world is drained of any colour and joy. In contrast, the other world is a vibrant haven of happiness and an explosion of imagination. This is where Selick flourishes as a filmmaker, having previously embraced the worlds of peculiarity and ingenuity with James and the Giant Peach and The Nightmare Before Christmas, and it comes as no surprise that Coraline received and won several animation accolades.

You could ask if Coraline is a children’s movie at all, as you need nerves of steel not to feel terrified while watching the 100-minute adventure. The movie is still just as unsettling as it was before, but viewers can rest assured that in the hands of our heroine, evil won’t win without a fight.

Guy Lambert

Coraline is re-released in select cinemas on 15^th August 2024.

Watch the trailer for Coraline here: