On a chilly day at the Pink Palace apartments, located in Oregon, a young girl named Coraline explores her new home, quickly realizing she dislikes her surroundings. Her parents are preoccupied with work and cannot give her much attention. To make matters worse, they do not like mud, which means Coraline’s hopes of planting flowers are dashed. As she wanders around, looking for something to keep her busy, she finds a small door—one that will soon lead her on an otherworldly adventure beyond anything she could have imagined.
In the film “Coraline,” the main character, Coraline Jones, moves into a new apartment home in which she finds herself very bored. She is later surprised by a doll that looks exactly like her – which she is given by her now-neighbor, Wybie. This doll will lead her to a very shocking discovery through a small door.
This spooky stop motion film directed by Henry Selick was inspired by a novella, “Coraline” written by Neil Gaiman in 1990, though it was not published until 2002. Gaiman’s story is much darker than the movie.
The movie itself, originally released in 2009, was a success, and returns to theaters this fall. Many tickets were sold in advance, allowing moviegoers to relive this intriguing full movie.
“Coraline” is packed with symbolism that keeps viewers thinking about what deeper meaning objects like her button eyes might have. The movie also explores themes like bravery, curiosity, and the importance of family, making it not just an exciting story but one with lessons to take away. It is a must-watch for anyone who enjoys thought-provoking and visually unique films.
Now that it is October, “Coraline” is the perfect movie for spooky season. The dark tones and colors, like deep blues and purples, match the eerie atmosphere of the film and make it an ideal choice for a chilly fall day.
After watching “Coraline,” viewers will be left with many intriguing theories to explore. Two of the most popular are that Coraline never truly escapes the parallel world, and is actually stuck there, or that the doll was not the only way the Other Mother spied on her—there were other hidden sources of surveillance that Coraline never knew about.
“I feel like Coraline makes children who didn’t have a lot of attention from their parents growing up feel seen and identified,” senior Gabriela Marin said.
These theories, among many others, offer plenty of room for imagination and interpretation, keeping viewers engaged long after the movie ends.
Ultimately, the contrast between the dull, unhappy world Coraline lives in and the seemingly perfect one offered to her—at the cost of replacing her eyes with buttons—keeps the audience on the edge of their seats, full of suspense.
“Coraline is a movie that gives depth about a variety of messages throughout the story like leaving a child alone for a long time, being careful with ones wishes, etc. It’s a really family friendly movie that hooks you the instant it starts with its shape shifting rooms and vivid colors,” senior Luna Bautista said.
“Coraline” is strongly recommended for anyone who is looking for a suspenseful and yet inspiring film to watch during the fall season. They will like the theories, the themes, and the hidden symbols.
P.S there is a talking cat!
