Over The Garden Wall

By Dylan Sands

As the fall season approaches, many may find themselves searching for movies or shows to bring the fall vibes out. One of the classic choices is a quaint little show called Over the Garden Wall. Over the Garden Wall is a limited animated series that aired in 2014 on Cartoon Network, coming from the mind of Patrick McHale, most recently known for his work in the creative department of Netflix’s Pinnochio (2022). The show follows two brothers, Greg and Wirt, as they find themselves in a strange place called The Unknown. They eventually find themselves with a bird named Beatrice, who promises to lead them out of The Unknown, not before they are warned of the existence of the Beast, and the danger that is involved.

The entire show can be watched in around two hours, as the episodes are short and there are only ten of them. Over the Garden Wall gained an impressive 8.8/10 on IMDB, winning three separate Emmys. The plot appears surface level to start, but once the first layer is broken, the depth of it becomes apparent. The stacked cast delivers noteworthy performances that elevate the show beyond its expected quality. Elijah Wood stars as Wirt, perfectly executing the awkward cadence of a preteen. Christopher Lloyd delivers a chilling performance as the Woodsman, a paranoid old man who spends his days chopping wood to keep his lantern alive, vowing to never let it go out. He first warns the boys of The Beast, a creature of darkness that preys on the lost souls that wander the Unknown. Other memorable performances come from Tim Curry and Melanie Lynskey, as well as plenty of more unknown voice actors who keep the soul of the show alive.

The lively and stylistic animation paints a beautiful picture of the setting of the story. The setting changes flow incredibly well, seamlessly blending different parts of the world allowing the adventure of the boys to seem like one consistent journey without any drastic changes of scenery. The story begins as the boys take a walk through the woods, realizing that they are no longer aware of where they are. They wander for a bit longer and then they discover the old mill and the Woodsman who runs it. He tells them the terrifying story of the Beast. The boys go on a dangerous journey to make it back home. So if you are looking for something to watch this Halloween season, curl up under a blanket and give this show your attention!