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Earwig and the Witch Movie Review

Earwig and the Witch is a 2020 fantasy anime film directed by Goro Miyazaki. It is the first Studio Ghibli film in six years and I mostly really liked it despite its many flaws.

In 1990s England, Earwig, a 10-year-old orphan girl who grew up without knowing that she is a witch’s daughter, is taken from the orphanage by a strange duo and starts living with them. The British setting is probably new for this studio and it was very well realized. The movie has that ‘Mary Poppins’ coziness quality that was undeniably old-fashioned and endearing.

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The overall plot is familiar, there is no denying that. But it mostly worked because it was executed well and the film is incredibly entertaining. Yes, it is intended mostly for smaller audiences, but I personally loved the childlike quality to it and the overall innocence and wondrous appeal. Again, witches and orphans are very standard for animation, but the character work is so good here that they elevated the material.

I loved Earwig. She is such a terrific protagonist who is borderline bratty, but ultimately a grounded in reality kid who is determined and cute. Thomas the cat is so much fun. Their banter is the funniest part of the flick and I wanted more of it. He is very well voiced and memorable throughout.

Bella Yaga is one of those Studio Ghibli villains that are seemingly villains, but in reality they are more complicated than that and are mostly plain unlikable. She instantly reminded me of Yubaba from ‘Spirited Away’, thus she is an archetypal Ghibli villain, but again she also worked because she was very interestingly designed, well acted and a genuinely memorable presence.

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Mandrake is the only rushed character and others are also fleeing in presence and runtime, which all brings me to my next point – this movie is way too abrupt in its ending and short in runtime. It clocks in at around 80 minutes, but because the pacing is somewhat leisurely, the movie had no time to properly end in my opinion. It just ended in such a messy manner that really bothered me. They needed at least ten more minutes to properly wrap this story up, otherwise it felt unfinished and half-baked.

Earwig and the Witch definitely needed longer production and development. You can see that they rushed it, especially in that ending, but also in the technical aspects. I liked the soundtrack. It was different for the studio, but the setting was also unique, and ultimately both worked as they committed to both elements so well. The voice acting is excellent and the movie flows well before that third act and it is enjoyable throughout. It has those Ghibli elements such as a strong heroine, well imagined fantastical elements and cozy atmosphere, thus it was to me an utter delight, particularly because I have been waiting for another Ghibli movie for six years.

The animation is problematic. It’s the first ever CGI work for Ghibli, and because I am accustomed to their amazing HD style, I was taken aback by this one. It’s not bad per say, but the characters’ faces really look bad and too plastic, though the expressions are excellent. The backgrounds fare much better and are more detailed and lively.

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Goro Miyazaki definitely has a long way to go in his works, but he is improving. This is television movie, but a film nonetheless, so comparing it to ‘From Up on Poppy Hill’ and even ‘Tales from Earthsea’, I would say it’s an improvement, but it is inferior to his lovely show ‘Ronja, the Robber’s Daughter’. That one remains his best effort.