FILM REVIEW: STITCH HEAD (U) ESP RATING: 3.5/5
- ESP Online
- 1 hour ago
- 2 min read
A gentle reminder that being different is something to celebrate.
Every now and then, a family film comes along that feels like it’s been stitched together (pun absolutely intended) from classic gothic storytelling and a big, beating heart.
Stitch Head, based on the much-loved books by successful children's author Guy Bass from Peterborough, is exactly that – a spooky-tinged animated adventure that delivers warmth, charm, and a thoughtful message without ever losing sight of its younger audience.
The story unfolds high above the small town of Grubbers Nubbin, inside a creaky castle filled with peculiar creations. At its centre is Stitch Head (voice by Ender’s Game star Asa Butterfield), a shy, forgotten patchwork boy brought ‘almost to life’ by an absent-minded professor and left to look after the castle’s growing collection of monsters.
When the outside world comes knocking in the form of a travelling freak show promising friendship and belonging, Stitch Head is forced to question where he truly fits.
Visually, the film leans into a playful gothic style, full of shadowy corridors, quirky creature designs, and just enough spookiness to feel exciting without ever tipping into anything too intense for younger viewers. There’s a storybook quality to the animation that suits the tone perfectly, creating a world that feels cosy even when it’s at its most eerie.
At its core, Stitch Head is very much about identity – about children learning to embrace who they are and finding comfort in their own skin. It’s a message that feels especially relevant in today’s online world, where we’re constantly surrounded by carefully curated versions of other people’s lives and can’t help but compare ourselves. The film handles this theme with a gentle touch, never feeling preachy, just quietly reassuring.
If I have one small criticism, it’s that I would have liked a few more laughs along the way. The humour is there, but it’s fairly understated, and a handful of extra jokes could have helped keep the momentum bubbling just a little more in places. Without them, there’s a slight sense that the story risks losing steam – although at a nice, tight 91 minutes, it never quite does.
Timing-wise, it’s hard to ignore how well this lands. With school half-term underway, it feels like an ideal family cinema trip – entertaining enough to keep kids engaged while still offering something meaningful to talk about afterwards. And there’s an added reason to support it too, as the aforementioned author Guy Bass grew up in Peterborough attending King's School, making this feel like a lovely opportunity to get behind a local writer’s work on the big screen.
Which makes this sincere ride easy to recommend for families looking for something with a little heart beneath the stitches.
ESP Rating: 3.5/5
Mike Clarke
Showcase Cinema De Lux Peterborough & Odeon Luxe Peterborough, Out Now
Voice Cast: Asa Butterfield, Joel Fry, Rob Brydon, Tia Bannon & Alison Steadman
Running Time: 1 Hr 31 Mins
Director: Steve Hudson
Film Review Venue: Showcase Cinema De Lux Peterborough
For all the latest film information & showtimes at Peterborough’s Showcase Cinema De Lux & Odeon Luxe Cinemas go to www.showcasecinemas.co.uk and www.odeon.co.uk
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