Finding Solace Through Art: Amber’s Journey of Expression
Amber Wyatt (Bianca Belle) is struggling to cope with the recent tragic loss of her mother, as is her older brother, Jack (Kue Lawrence), and her father, Taylor (Tony Hale). Amber’s greatest challenge is her inability to express her feelings and thoughts. One day, she receives valuable advice: to express herself through drawing in her sketchbook. When she gives it a try, she discovers a sense of peace by bringing her thoughts, ideas, and monster creations to life on the page.
Family Struggles and the Search for a Fresh Start
As time passes, Amber continues to grapple with her past while drawing in her sketchbook, keeping her most recent work hidden from both her brother and father. Meanwhile, Taylor is preparing to sell their home in search of a fresh start. Assisting him with the sale is his sister Liz (D’Arcy Carden). While selling the house should be straightforward, Taylor complicates matters by ignoring her simple suggestions, such as removing family photographs and maintaining the lawn, and even interrupts potential buyers during viewings.
The Lake’s Dark Secret: When Imagination Becomes Reality
Yet, the failure to sell the home soon becomes the least of Taylor’s concerns. Near the family property lies a mysterious lake, which Jack discovers has the power to restore and bring objects back to life. His broken phone and a shattered dinner plate are among the first items revived. However, when Jack and Amber argue by the lake, Amber’s sketchbook, filled with wondrous yet eerie drawings, falls into the water. To their horror, Amber’s creations come to life, unleashing chaos and terror on those nearby. Now, the Wyatt family must uncover the truth behind the lake’s power and find a way to stop the monstrous beings before they wreak havoc in the broader world.
A Whimsical Blend of Family, Fantasy, and Comedy
Sketch is a blend of family, fantasy, and comedy. The film was written and directed by Seth Worley, whose previous work includes a range of short films such as Real Gone (2015). He also wrote and directed Darker Colours (2020), a short film that clearly served as an early foundation for Sketch, as it too follows a young girl whose drawings transform into living monsters created from crayon and glitter.
Creative Animation and Playful Horror Bring Amber’s Drawings to Life
As the creepy and unsettling drawings from Amber’s book come to life, the animation looks fantastic. The blend of live action and animated elements is visually striking, and the monster-like creations are both inventive and exciting to see for the first time. The film unfolds like a playful horror story, with monsters introduced through eerie and booming music, along with light-hearted jump scares that are entertaining for adults while still likely to frighten younger viewers. Interestingly, Sketch often brings to mind other family adventure films such as Jumanji, where chaos and imagination are unleashed on a small group of people.
Engaging Performances Amidst Fun and Chaos
Performance-wise, much like the storyline of Sketch, there are plenty of fun and likeable characters forced to face the chaos of animated monsters. Taylor and Liz share a believable chemistry as brother and sister, so much so that I often wished the pair were given more screen time. However, the film frequently shifts its focus to the younger characters. While their performances are enthusiastic, some of the line deliveries and expressions do not always feel as impactful or moving as intended.
Minor Flaws but a Heartfelt and Imaginative Adventure
Although Sketch overflows with creativity, heart, and fun, a few of its subplots are left unresolved or never fully explained by the time the story concludes. Still, the core narrative delivers an exciting adventure, especially as the finale and its reveals unfold. The concept feels fresh and original, and its underlying message is both thoughtful and universal. At its heart, the film explores how we cope with pain and highlights the importance of expression and healing, making it meaningful for audiences of all ages.
Final Verdict: A Creative, Fun, and Family-Friendly Adventure
Sketch (2024) is available in Australian Cinemas from September 11th!
Published: 7th September 2025
Written by: Peter Walkden
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