Animated films rarely tackle the sensitive issue of parental separation, a topic often avoided even in broader cinematic narratives.
Director Vicky Jenson, renowned for co-directing the iconic Shrek, breaks this mold with her new film Spellbound, releasing Friday on Netflix.
"Isn't it funny that you can kill off a parent in films like The Lion King or Bambi, but the idea of parents simply not living together is taboo?" Jenson remarked.
While live-action family classics such as The Parent Trap and Mrs. Doubtfire have approached divorce with humor, animated films have shied away—until now. In Spellbound, a spell transforms a princess’s parents into literal monsters, an allegorical exploration of familial strife.
Set in the magical kingdom of Lumbria, the story follows Princess Ellian (voiced by Rachel Zegler), who embarks on a perilous quest to reverse the curse on her parents, Queen Ellsmere (Nicole Kidman) and King Solon (Javier Bardem). As chaos grips the kingdom, Ellian learns a sobering truth: even if the spell is lifted, her family may never return to its former state.
"This was a fairy tale take on a modern story," said Jenson, highlighting the film’s contemporary relevance. The creative team collaborated with family psychologists to ensure the narrative resonated authentically with young viewers navigating similar challenges in real life.
Getting Spellbound to audiences was no easy feat. According to Jenson, many potential distributors lauded the movie’s message but hesitated to take it on. Eventually, Netflix embraced the project, a move Jenson praised as “brave” in an industry dominated by superhero blockbusters and “safe bets” in theaters.
Legendary composer Alan Menken, known for classics like Beauty and the Beast and The Little Mermaid, joined the project to underscore its emotional depth with a magical score. For Jenson, Spellbound represents a new fairy tale that offers families insight and comfort.
"This truth about family life is there for so many of us but hadn’t been approached as a myth or new fairy tale before," Jenson noted.
With Spellbound, Netflix delivers a heartfelt, boundary-pushing tale, offering children and parents a mirror to navigate the complexities of family life through a magical lens.
