Stitch Head, the animated film based on the children's novel by Guy Bass

13 September 2025

Stitch Head: When Frankenstein Meets Modern Animation

This fall, we're in for a little animated gem that could easily slip under the radar, but is absolutely worth our attention. Stitch Head, directed by Steve Hudson and based on the young adult novel by Guy Bass, is one of those projects that makes you think “but why hadn’t I ever thought of this before?”

The concept is brilliant in its simplicity: what if we took the Frankenstein myth and transformed it into a family story, with the perfect mix of thrills and laughs that always works? Hudson had the intuition to focus not on the mad doctor, but on his first forgotten experiment—Stitch Head—who lives in the castle babysitting the other monsters created by the professor.

A Cast That Promises Well

The choice of voice cast is particularly apt. Asa Butterfield, who we saw grow up from a child prodigy of Hugo as the protagonist of fri Education, brings that characteristic vulnerability that should be a perfect fit for a character like Stitch Head. Joel Fry is always a guarantee of sympathy, while Rob Brydon knows how to make even the smallest character memorable.

What I'm most curious about is seeing Fern Brady in an animated film. The Scottish comedian has a very distinctive style, almost abrasive at times, and it will be interesting to see how this translates into a family-friendly setting. I'm equally curious about Jamali Maddix, who usually works on decidedly more adult material.

European Animation with Global Ambitions

From a production point of view, Stitch Head It represents an interesting example of how quality animation can be created outside of the major Hollywood circuits. With studios spread across France, Germany, and the United Kingdom, the project has leveraged European funding (€1.7 million) and international partnerships to create what, from the first images, appears to be a visually refined work.

Assemblage Entertainment is making a name for itself in CG animation, and after seeing their previous work, expectations are quite high. The aesthetic evident in the promotional materials strikes the perfect balance between cute and slightly disturbing for this type of story.

The Perfect Timing

The decision to release the film on October 29th in the United States is strategically perfect. Two days before Halloween, with a film that mixes horror elements with a family feel, it could be the perfect answer for those parents who want to let their children experience the spooky atmosphere without traumatizing them with The Exorcist.

Briarcliff Entertainment's Tom Ortenberg isn't wrong when he talks about “Frankenstein meets Monsters, Inc.“—it's a formula that works on paper. The real test will be seeing if Hudson has found the right tone, that fine line between fun and suspense that makes the best animated films unforgettable.

Beyond the Usual Scheme

What strikes me most about Stitch Head It's how you seem to want to overturn some conventions. Instead of the usual "monster trying to become human," we have a protagonist who has already accepted his nature and his role. It's a more mature perspective, which could hold interesting surprises for both children and adults.

The story of a forgotten figure who does all the work behind the scenes, unrecognized, also has very contemporary resonances. In an era when we talk so much about essential and invisible work, a film that focuses on this figure can have a significant impact.

Realistic Expectations

Let's not expect the next one Pixar, but let's not underestimate this project either. European animation is experiencing an interesting moment, with productions that stand out for their originality and character. Stitch Head It could very well become one of those films that maybe doesn't break the box office, but is rediscovered and loved in subsequent years.

The real challenge will be seeing if it can find its audience among the behemoths dominating the fall box office. But sometimes, the best stories are the ones that start small.

The appointment is for the end of October. And who knows, maybe... Stitch Head It will surprise us all.