Released in 2022, Wendell & Wild is a stop-motion feature that has the Punk Black girl energy that was missing from current animation. From creators Henry Selick (Nightmare Before Christmas) and Jordan Peele (Get Out, Nope), this film is full of spooky animation and fantastical horror visuals. The musical score has Punk/Rock songs from Black artists like TV On the Radio, X-Ray Spex, Big Joanie, and Living Colour. The characters are diverse and well written, with Trans and Indigenous representation that is incredible to see on screen. Themes in the film touch on subjects that affect marginalized communities and are a great introduction to topics like trauma, identity, and institutionalized racism.
The film is a story about a young teen, Kat Elliot, who is recently enrolled in an all-girls Catholic school. After the tragedy of her parent’s death and being in and out of juvenile detention – she starts to experience ominous events at the school. She is contacted by two mischievous demons from the underworld who trick her into believing they can resurrect her dead parents if she summons them into the living world. Along with the help of some new friends, she is able to not only battle some of the systematic problems in her hometown, but also face some of the demons of her past.
I’ve always been a huge fan of movies with the gothic aesthetic and storylines. It was disappointing to have so few films with people of color in this particular style growing up. I remember being hurt when Tim Burton (who is praised for gothic horror animation) publicly admitted his excuse for not creating Black characters in his films. He is quoted in an interview stating that either movies “call for Black characters or [they] don’t”. This narrative reaffirms the outdated belief that Black people and other marginalized communities don’t make sense in genres like Horror and Fantasy. But Wendell & Wild proves that filmmakers can be mindfully inclusive during their process of creating timeless storylines.
Breakdown of the Costume
This cosplay was actually fairly easy to execute. Most of these items I had already in my wardrobe and were easily accessible to purchase:
–Navy Blue Blazer
–White Button Up Shirt
–Red Pinafore checkered Skirt
–Black Stockings
Hair
I used a green temporary color hair wax to dye my hair for the afro puffs. I have 3A-3B curls so I had to tease both parts to make them have a little more volume with the wax.
Accessories
I was really excited for the accessories portion of this cosplay. A lot of it was simple alternative and goth styles that could be incorporated for everyday use:
–Necklace bag from Mother Sierra. I tried to find a necklace similar to the Indigenous necklace Kat wears in the film. As mentioned on their website, the entirety of Mother Sierra’s pieces are handmade by Wixárika & Otomí families in Mexico & Maya families in Guatemala.
–Extra Large safety Pins
–Waist Chain belt
–Black Studded Biker Gloves
–Tall Black Demonias
–Black Skeleton Teddy bear backpack
I feel like the younger version of me was healed by this cosplay. Growing up I didn’t see a lot of alternative representation for Black and Brown people, especially in animation. This film is such a great representation of what Punk is really about – not merely an aesthetic, but people from marginalized communities taking up space and resisting against the systems that oppress them.
Being able to not only make the cosplay, but to execute it at a convention gave me confidence-the same that Kat has walking into any room! I would recommend this film to anyone for the style, the substance, and all the great Goth & Alternative feels. It’s also a perfect flick to enjoy this Halloween.
Thank you for reading, and for your pleasure, we’ve made a Black Punk playlist that features incredible artists in the punk, metal, & alternative genre. Here’s a reminder to show up for our communities in music, film, and beyond.
Wendell & Wild is available to stream on Netflix.