Cartoon Network’sOver The Garden Wallreleased 10 years ago, but it remains a must-watch in the run-up to Halloween. Created by Patrick McHale and based on a short film he produced for the network, the show follows half-brothers Wirt (Elijah Wood) and Greg (Collin Dean) as they wander through The Unknown – an eerie woodland world filled with 19th century inhabitants and terrifying monsters. Its visuals are equal parts cute and creepy, beautiful and bleak, and perfectly capture the autumnal mood in 10 dream-like episodes.An impressive 97% Rotten Tomatoes score illustrates the enduring appealof this haunting little gem.
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This beautiful series may have slipped under the radar, but it was highly acclaimed by critics. Following its release,Over The Garden Wallwas awarded two Emmys in the animation category. A recent teaser released on Cartoon Network’s Instagram page reveals thatOver The Garden Wallis getting a well-deserved anniversary tribute in collaboration with Aardman, the stop-motion studio behindWallace and Gromit, set to be released on November 3. Meanwhile, viewers can revisit the delightful original miniseries to understand whyOver The Garden Wallcan be considered one ofthe best animated shows ever.
Over The Garden Wall Features A Star-Studded Cast
Elijah Wood, Melanie Lynskey, and Tim Curry Add Their Voice Talents To The Series
He is still best known for his portrayal of Frodo, butwhat Elijah Wood has done sinceLord of The Ringspoints to the actor’s illustrious and varied career.Over The Garden Wallis one of Wood’s lesser known projects. He stars as Wirt, the anxious poetry-writing, clarinet-playing teen. FellowYellowjacketsalum Melanie Lynskey plays Beatrice, a grouchy bluebird with a tragic secret.Both actors contribute to the series' delicate balance of comedy and poignancy. With clever storytelling and heartfelt sentiment at its core, it’s really no wonder thatOver The Garden Wallattracted such talent.
In fact, a number of celebrated actors lend their voices toOver The Garden Wall. In their venture through The Unknown, Wirt and Greg encounter a number of its strange inhabitants, many of whom are voiced by surprisingly well-known names. In the first episode, they meet the mysterious Woodsman.Christopher Lloyd is well-chosen for this role; after all, he has been a Halloween icon since he played Uncle Fester inThe Addams Family. The same can be said for the legendary Tim Curry, who voices the terrifying (but misunderstood) Auntie Whispers. Her more wicked sister, Adelaide, is voiced by John Cleese.
Over The Garden Wall’s Folk Aesthetic Perfectly Captures The Seasonal Mood
The Show’s Autumnal Setting Provides Key Symbolism
Over The Garden Wallcaptures the particular melancholic mood of autumn in a way that few shows have managed since. Artist Patrick McHale took inspiration from vintage postcards and 19th-century illustrations to create the show’s uniquely folksy style. Its eerie, old-timey feel is evoked in its original soundtrack. The haunting, music box melody of its title track “Into The Unknown” immediately transports viewers intoOver The Garden Wall’sdark fairytale world. The Unknown’s nightmarish antagonist, The Beast, is voiced by opera singer Samuel Ramey, who sings the creature’s chilling theme, “Come Wayward Souls.”
“Its visuals are equal parts cute and creepy, beautiful and bleak, and perfectly capture the autumnal mood.”
Over The Garden Wall’ssetting is more than an artistic delight.Seasonal imagery is intrinsic to the themes and metaphors of the show, which some have interpreted as an allegory for death. This rather dark reading is just one explanation ofOver The Garden Wall’strue meaning, though. Another is the theme of courage and despair, embodied through the opposite personalities of its two main protagonists. All of these concepts are powerfully symbolized inOver The Garden Wall’sautumnal scenery, which gradually transitions into a bleak winter, reflecting Wirt’s lost hope of ever escaping The Unknown.
This Delightfully Creepy Series Will Get You In The Mood For Halloween
Over The Garden Wall’s Transcends Its Young Audience Base
Some of the most frightening films and TV shows are intended for children. Animation has proved itself an excellent medium for scary subject matter, andOver The Garden Walljoins the likes of Laika’sCoralineas one of the most frightening pieces of children’s media. The series sets its tone right from the start – the first episode antagonist is a dog-like creature with spooky, luminous eyes. Greg’s comment on the creature’s “beautiful eyes” isan example of the show’s ability to ease tension with humor, making it agreat transitional horror show for kidsfirst exploring the genre.
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Over The Garden Wall’ssupernatural creatures include cannibalistic witches, talking animals, and a town full of undead pumpkin people. It’s the perfect watch in the run-up to Halloween. In fact, the show is set during the holiday: a flashback episode reveals that Greg and Wirt, actually modern children, were attending a Halloween party on the night they got lost in The Unknown.The most disturbing antagonist, though, is The Beast: a shadowy, lantern-toting figure, whose concealed appearance only enhances his impact. Like an embodiment of childhood fear, The Beast’s presence haunts all 10 episodes of the series.
“With clever storytelling and heartfelt sentiment at its core, it’s really no wonder thatOver The Garden Wallattracted such talent.”
Over The Garden Wallmay be targeted at younger viewers, butthis kids' horror series really transcends age demographics. The show’s power lies in its recognition that confronting fear is a key part of a child’s emotional growth - but it doesn’t just scare. It is also filled with humor and whimsy, loveable protagonists and sing-along songs. Rich metaphors steep below its quaint surface, culminating in an ambiguous ending for viewers to ponder.Over The Garden Wallis a show that will stick with you, which iswhy so many return to it every autumn, 10 years on.
Over the Garden Wall
Cast
Over the Garden Wall is a miniseries that follows brothers Wirt and Greg as they navigate the mysterious Unknown, a timeless and enigmatic forest. Accompanied by a wise Woodsman and a bluebird named Beatrice, they embark on a journey filled with unexpected challenges to find their way home.
