Review: Animated ‘Stitch Head’ is a charming spookfest for kids
Guillermo del Toro isn’t the only filmmaker presenting a take on Mary Shelley’s classic Frankenstein’s monster tale this Halloween season. Enter **“Stitch Head,”** an animated film from British animation studio Aniventure, written and directed by Steve Hudson and adapted from the Guy Bass graphic novel.
While del Toro’s “Frankenstein” may be the most faithful and frightening adaptation of Shelley’s book, “Stitch Head” proves that there are valuable lessons of all kinds—and for all ages—to be drawn from the story. It’s remarkable, in fact, how much social commentary Hudson elicits from this charming, if slight, spookfest aimed at kids.
Welcome to the village of Grubbers Nubbin, where a traveling circus freak show struggles to find favor with the locals. The villagers know that the real terrors reside up the road in Castle Grotteskew. There, the eccentric Professor (voiced by Rob Brydon) has animated so many monsters and creatures that he has filled an entire dormitory.
Enter Stitch Head (Asa Butterfield), the Professor’s melancholy assistant, stitched together and animated by the Professor himself. Stitch Head is an Igor-type character, but his duties revolve around onboarding the new monsters. He reads them the fine print about their condition and shows an orientation film warning against rampages, advising the monsters to stay quiet and unseen to avoid angry mobs.
In this role, Stitch Head acts as the head boy and primary caretaker of a group of terrifying-looking sweethearts. He reads them bedtime stories that echo the castle’s main message: stay out of sight and out of mind.
A cheerful new arrival, an enthusiastic cyclops dubbed Creature (Joel Fry), quickly befriends Stitch Head, his only friend, and asks questions about Stitch Head’s origins—questions Stitch Head himself cannot answer. Stuck in his cold and lonely castle, Stitch Head yearns for connection and for someone to see and acknowledge him.
Meanwhile, there’s the circus ringmaster, Fulbert Freakfinder (Seth Usdenov), who is desperate to get inside the castle to see what’s hidden within. Soon, Stitch Head finds himself the main attraction of the freak show.
**“Stitch Head” follows the classic hero’s journey** of a sheltered young person leaving their cloistered home for the first time, discovering truths about themselves, and ultimately returning home renewed.
For Stitch Head, this journey means joining the circus. If the neglectful Professor once exploited Stitch Head for labor and care, Freakfinder exploits him for similarly cold, capitalistic reasons—cold hard cash in the form of ticket sales to horrified villagers.
Like many people today, our young hero mistakes celebrity for adoration and fandom for love. People see him—but not in the way he desires that the Professor might. The reasons, however, are wrong, and Stitch Head is not yet able to discern this.
But the devoted Creature sees Stitch Head for who he really is and is determined to save him and return him safely to the castle. Just when Stitch Head believes the seemingly inclusive freak show denizens might be his friends, he discovers they are simply another angry mob.
The only answer is to embrace his own monstrousness alongside his monster pals—to take up space, claim attention, and make some noise.
Within this melancholy and morbid tale lie excellent lessons for kids about being themselves, accepting those who are different, and truly seeing people for who they are. Plus, a touch of anti-capitalist, pro-worker messaging never hurts.
Visually, **“Stitch Head” is a treat to behold**, featuring beautiful imagery of warm candlelight glowing within the cold castle, inventive creature designs, and a lively style that draws on familiar influences from old-fashioned circus and monster movies.
Asa Butterfield delivers a heartbreakingly tender performance, especially in portraying Stitch Head’s friendship with the ebullient Creature—his total opposite.
This touching and somewhat grotesque story is the perfect gateway for younger kids to explore spookier, gothic content and to absorb the true lessons from Shelley’s original monster tale.
With this foundation, they’ll be gearing up for del Toro’s “Frankenstein” (and “Nightmare Alley”) in no time.
*Katie Walsh is a critic for Tribune News Service.*
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/10/30/review-stitch-head-movie/
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