Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken
2023 · Directed by Kirk DeMicco
Original language: English
- animation
- family
- fantasy
- comedy
The story
Ruby Gillman, a sweet and awkward high school student, discovers she's a direct descendant of the warrior kraken queens. The kraken are sworn to protect the oceans of the world against the vain, power-hungry mermaids. Destined to inherit the throne from her commanding grandmother, Ruby must use her newfound powers to protect those she loves most.
What it’s like
Bright, saturated animation with the glossy, bouncy polish of a DreamWorks feature: sunlit coastal town streets, pastel-cool high school hallways, and then the underwater world, lit in teal and violet with glowing bioluminescent accents and sweeping camera moves through kelp and coral. The score is buoyant and pop-leaning, with a few bright needle-drops that suit a teen-party energy, and the comedy is quick and broad, with lots of physical gags and sight jokes. The vibe is playful and warm with a sly, knowing edge, the kind of thing for a Saturday afternoon, a family movie night, or a lighthearted watch with a teen. Its emotional register is sincere but never heavy: an awkward, self-doubting teenage girl gradually learns to accept a bigger, stranger version of herself, and her relationship with her formidable grandmother carries the most feeling. Intensity is mild: some cartoon action, comic peril and mock-fierce battles, with no real gore and no sexual content beyond light teen-crush teasing. It suits kids, teens and adults who want a funny, colourful, gently empowering adventure with an easy, uncomplicated heart.
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