WRITER AND DIRECTOR
Seth Worley
Feature film debut

STARS
Tony Hale, Bianca Belle, Kue Lawrence, D’Arcy Carden and Kalon Cox

You can’t control your inbox, but you can control your outbox.

This is a meaningful phrase said to the young protagonist of Sketch that resonates well with me given my day job is in the corporate world largely spent on a computer and is great alternative way of reminding us we are in control of our response to what life and other people might put in.

For our young female protagonist, Amber Wyatt (Bianca Belle), this supportive suggestion is vital to help her cope with the grief from the recent passing of her mother (a piece of detail we are informed of and do not see). Another coping mechanism she is applying that is understandably causing concern from some but not from others who understand the context and know it is merely a healthier outlet is sketching. Sketching some gnarly characters with gruesome capabilities causing harm to people present in her everyday life. The concern escalates and broadens to even apply to Amber herself when these characters somehow lift from her sketchbook and shift into larger forms in real life.

I am conscious my description of this premise and the red font this review is written probably gives Sketch a darker and alarming impression than the film ever is. In fact, you’ve already read is darkest constituent! As you can see in the image above, the visual appearance of these beings from Amber’s notebook are illustrated as enlarged sketches. Think pastel colours, powdery carnage and even glitter as they wreak multicoloured mayhem in a film that is quite effortlessly endearing and decidedly light-hearted in tone. Now that I’ve addressed any initial concern parents of younger children may have, I feel the need to talk to what appeal there may or may not be in seeing these gigantic sketch-like creatures on the screen. Being completely transparent here, I thought I’d find it all too childish and cheap looking, but to my pleasant surprise, I instead found myself experiencing something quite creative and more original in depiction. Though its supernatural elements are a part of the fun and contribute to its success, they are just one of the few gold stickers (or stars in Moviedoc’s case) this film achieves.

From start to end, Sketch possesses infectious energy courtesy of its music score and editing. While these components of the film are akin to a horror movie with their abruptness and pace and are consequently likely to startle a younger audience (especially towards a more intense finale), they really do nail the light-hearted tone the film is very clearly striving to achieve. Another gold sticker is awarded for its meaningful theme that assures us the only way to heal from pain is to allow ourselves to feel that pain and not run or hide from it. Lastly, Sketch even has a parting gift for audiences via a QR code and app to play along with long after the credits roll! 

Sketch is showing in cinemas across Australia from September 11th, 2025.

Moviedoc thanks Rialto Distribution and Annette Smith: Ned & Co for providing a screener link to watch and review this film. 

Review by Leigh for Moviedoc

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