We can sometimes write off animation as something only built for kids, that deals with themes reserved for simple minds, or something that can’t inspire terror. I assure you “Over The Garden Wall” isn’t any of those things. These past week Cartoon Network debuted the bold and ambitious project as a five night miniseries. It’s a surreal mystery told in ten parts about two children who find themselves lost in a mysterious forest.
If you love horror, if you love Halloween, and you love a good mystery, you need to watch Over the Garden Wall.
The series follows the darkly comedic adventures of Wirt (Elijah Wood) and Greg (Collin Dean) who become lost in a mysterious forest called the unknown. They must traverse a great many locations of this enchanted world in order to get home, but there are all sorts of horrifying creatures who populate the wood, and will stop at nothing to ensure the kids never make it back.
Wirt is indecisive and annoyed by the prospect of adventure. He blames his little brother for getting lost, and bemoans his sense of adventure. Yet, little Greg gives the series it’s charm. Even when it’s dealing with some seriously heavy stuff. See, without giving too much away the story is something that is deeply routed in horror. A loss of control and a feeling of helplessness tied to a really heavy theme that slowly reveals itself over the course of the miniseries.
The tone of the show is incredibly dark for something built for kids, but has a beautiful Fall charm that helps battle the darkness. This show was very purposefully aired last week to capitalize on a mood and a tone for why these children are missing. More over, it’s something that I truly haven’t seen before, it’s animation done right on television. This isn’t rushed, this isn’t episodic, it’s a heavily serialized story told in ten parts. The performances are fantastic, and the horror is real.
I was completely sideswiped by this incredible series. If you’ve ever loathed your sibling, got lost, or just didn’t know how you fit into a strange world, then Over The Garden Wall is for you. I dare say, it’s for everyone. It grapples with some real fear, adventure, and magic. It’s unlike anything I’ve ever seen, and I can’t wait to watch it again.
Over The Garden Wall aired last week on Cartoon Network, you might be able to catch a rerun over the next few nights, but if you feel compelled to take it in now. Head to iTunes to grab all of the episodes for $9.99. It’s worth every penny.