Sketch: My Thoughts & Feelings (Spoiler Alert!)
I just finished watching Sketch, and honestly... I loved this movie a 10,000 out of 10. It's imaginative, heartfelt, emotional, and it really touched me in ways I wasn't expecting. I laughed, I cried, and I walked away feeling so connected to the story and its characters.
Spoiler Alert: If you haven't seen Sketch yet, you may want to watch it first before reading on. I'll be talking about key scenes and characters in detail!
Watch the official Sketch trailer and step into Amber's world
As I watched Sketch, I immediately connected with Amber, the young girl at the heart of this story. She's misunderstood and deeply hurt after the loss of her mother. Unlike her dad and brother, who bury their feelings, Amber expresses her grief through her drawings. Her sketchbook is where she releases the emotions she doesn't feel safe enough to say out loud.
Her father, Taylor (Tony Hale), is grieving too, but he hides his pain. He avoids talking about Amber's mother and tries to keep everything "normal," though you can see the sadness beneath the surface. Her brother Jack (Kue Lawrence) is very similar to their dad, keeping his feelings locked away, almost pretending they don't exist. This leaves Amber standing out as the one who refuses to hide her emotions, even if they come across as anger or misbehavior. For example, when she knocks the plate off the table, it's not that she's being cruel; it's her way of crying out, of saying Please see me, please understand me.
Amber's drawings become more than just art when her sketchbook falls into a mysterious pond. Suddenly, all of her monsters and creatures, representations of her pain and imagination, spring to life. The chaos that follows feels like a metaphor for how bottled-up emotions can spill over into the real world if we don't face them.
One of the most fascinating creatures is Dave, a giant monster Amber had sketched. He gets woken up when the school bus horn is hit, and what could've been a purely terrifying moment turns unexpectedly tender. The only way to calm him down is by singing him a lullaby. That scene struck me as so meaningful because even a monster created from grief and fear still longs for comfort, love, and gentleness.
Other characters and elements bring even more excitement and heart to the story:
Liz (D'Arcy Carden) - Amber's aunt is full of warmth, humor, and a bit of quirky energy. She's always trying to sell the house, often enthusiastically pitching it, while Taylor keeps interrupting, creating these funny, very relatable moments. But underneath the humor, Liz is also a stabilizing presence when everything starts unraveling. She supports Amber and the family through the chaos, showing a perfect balance of lightheartedness and emotional strength.
Bowman (Kalon Cox) - At first, Bowman doesn't seem like the nicest character. He can be a little rough, dismissive, and even unkind toward Amber. He doesn't understand her pain, and it shows in the way he treats her. But as the story unfolds and the monsters come to life, Bowman begins to change. He shows his courage, proves his loyalty, and becomes a true friend. His journey shows that sometimes people act tough on the outside because they're scared or don't know how to express themselves, but with time and experience, they can grow into someone supportive and dependable.
Taylor (Tony Hale) - Amber's dad carries the heavy burden of grief after losing his wife. At first, he tries to keep everything "normal" for the kids, but in doing so, he hides his emotions and avoids talking about their mother. This makes it hard for Amber and Jack to truly connect with him. Over the course of the story, he learns that shielding his feelings only creates distance. The moments when he apologizes to Jack and supports Amber are some of the most heartfelt, showing a dad who learns to grieve while still guiding and loving his kids.
Jack (Kue Lawrence) - Amber's older brother, also struggles with the loss of their mother and initially buries his emotions. He seems frustrated, distant, and even a little harsh toward Amber, but it's his way of coping. The scene where he desperately wants to throw their mother's ashes into the pond is heartbreaking, revealing how deeply he misses her and how powerless he feels. By the end, Jack's willingness to express his feelings and support his sister highlights the movie's message: healing comes when we allow ourselves to feel and connect with the ones we love.
The Bus Driver - She plays a critical role in trying to get the kids to safety during the monster chaos. She isn't exactly calm—far from it! The Dave monster hits the bus, and she crashes into a truck before careening into a cornfield, ending up unconscious. Even in all that chaos, her determination to protect Amber, Jack, and the other kids shows her bravery and commitment. This scene also sets up the dramatic moment where the kids have to get Dave to sleep with music, highlighting how the danger forces Amber and Jack to take responsibility and act creatively.
Amber's Creatures - Beyond Dave, Amber's imagination brings many creatures to life, including a spider-like character and several other fantastical monsters from her sketchbook. Some are frightening, others chaotic, but each represents a part of Amber's emotions, her fear, her sadness, her anger, and even her creativity. These creatures create challenges for the town but also allow Amber and her family to confront their feelings head-on.
Teamwork and Creativity - By the end, Amber and Jack join forces in a brilliant and inventive way. Amber uses one of her happier sketches, a Minecraft sword she had drawn for her brother, turning it into a tool to help in the chaos. She also transforms her arm-sharpie drawings on the bus into tentacles that play a crucial role in saving the day. This clever and imaginative moment perfectly showcases how Amber's art isn't just an expression of her emotions; it's a powerful, transformative tool that brings her family together and helps them overcome seemingly impossible challenges.
Family Coming Together - When the situation escalates, Liz and Taylor come running to help find and protect the kids. Together, the whole family confronts the chaos, works through their fears, and ultimately supports one another. In the end, it's the kids who save the day, but the adults' involvement reinforces the theme of family unity and love.
Emotional Resolution - By the movie's conclusion, Amber, Jack, and Taylor all gain a deeper understanding of each other's pain. They come to terms with the fact that their mother isn't physically present anymore, but her love will always remain in their hearts. The story closes on a hopeful note; grief is still there, but so is connection, understanding, and the ability to heal together.
Why You Should Watch Sketch
Sketch isn't just a movie about monsters; it's a movie about the monsters inside of us: grief, anger, sadness, and fear. It shows us that even though loss is painful and permanent, love, honesty, and creative expression can bring families back together.
If you've ever lost someone you love, this story will speak to your heart. It's sad, yes, but also deeply hopeful. And beyond the emotion, it's full of imagination, adventure, and incredible performances that bring these characters to life.
This movie left me both heartbroken and deeply moved. It reminded me that grief isn't about forgetting the ones we've lost, it’s about holding their love in our hearts and learning to live with it, letting it guide us, heal us, and inspire the ways we love and connect with others.
If you haven't seen Sketch yet, do yourself a favor: it's a magical, emotional ride you won't forget!
For me, Sketch is absolutely a 10000 out of 10.
