In the town of Blithe Hollow, Norman Babcock can speak to the dead, but no one other than his eccentric new friend believes his ability is real. One day, Norman's eccentric uncle tells him of a ritual he must perform to protect the town from a curse cast by a witch centuries ago.
Practical Effects
Laika's stop-motion puppetry—3D-printed faces for micro-expressions.
Direction
Horror homage that never winks too hard at adults.
Writing
The twist reframe that punches you in the gut gently.
Director
Sam Fell
Kodi Smit-McPhee
Norman Babcock (voice)
Tucker Albrizzi
Neil Downe (voice)
Anna Kendrick
Courtney Babcock (voice)
Casey Affleck
Mitch Downe (voice)
Christopher Mintz-Plasse
Alvin (voice)
Leslie Mann
Sandra Babcock (voice)
Jeff Garlin
Perry Babcock (voice)
Elaine Stritch
Grandma Babcock (voice)
Bernard Hill
Judge Hopkins (voice)
Jodelle Ferland
Aggie Prenderghast (voice)
Tempestt Bledsoe
Sheriff Hooper (voice)
Alex Borstein
Mrs. Henscher (voice)
John Goodman
Mr. Prenderghast (voice)
Jack Blessing
Slob Guy / Civil War Ghost (voice)
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Norman's bedroom posters reference Halloween, Friday the 13th, and Sam Raimi—this movie was made by horror nerds for horror nerds with kids.
Laika deliberately made Norman's bullied isolation feel real; the studio consulted psychologists to ensure the film didn't mock but validated lonely weird kids.
US
