‘Sketch’ Explores a Child’s Grief through Monsters and Art, Says Producer
Monsters may draw the crowd, but Angel Studios' new movie Sketch tells a much deeper story -- one that eventually will touch nearly every person who views it, says the film's producer. Sketch (PG) tells the story of a 10-year-old girl named Amber, whose unsettling drawings of deadly monsters alarm not only her father, but also her friends and school counselor. Meanwhile, Amber is quietly grieving the loss of her mother and struggling to navigate the challenges of everyday life at school.
Her drawings become even more terrifying when they come to life.
The film's central theme is grief and the many ways people cope with loss.
It stars Tony Hale (Toy Story 4, Veep) as the father, D'Arcy Carden (The Good Place) as his sister, and Bianca Belle (Sweet Magnolias) as Amber.
"Her dad is just trying to do his best to get Amber and her brother Jack through this traumatic experience, and he thinks the best thing to do is just not talk about it -- just to move on," producer Steve Taylor told Crosswalk Headlines.
A counselor, Taylor said, encourages Amber to continue drawing monsters, believing her sketchbook offers a safe space "where those feelings can't hurt anybody." The rest of the film wrestles with one question: Are Amber's drawings helping her heal -- or opening the door to something darker?"
The monsters range from bizarre to genuinely eerie.
"We're calling it a cross between Inside Out and Jurassic Park, which is a pretty good definition, but it's still within the realm of very much a PG family movie," Taylor added.
Sketch holds a 97 percent critics score on Rotten Tomatoes -- an unusually high mark for a live-action film geared toward families. Jon and Andrew Erwin, known for their faith-based films, serve as executive producers. While Sketch includes few overt religious references, its underlying message is rooted in biblical truth.
"It's really important that we support family movies that are original, because most stuff that's getting made these days is not original, and we want and need more original voices," Taylor said. "... I just think it's a delightful movie, and they don't make them like that anymore. Every movie that's live action, that's for families, is based on existing IP, so it's a remake or a sequel. … We're thrilled that Angel is so behind it."
Related Article: 3 Things Every Parent Should Know about 'Sketch,' Angel's New Monster Movie
Photo Credit: ©Angel
Michael Foust has covered the intersection of faith and news for 20 years. His stories have appeared in Baptist Press, Christianity Today, The Christian Post, the Leaf-Chronicle, the Toronto Star and the Knoxville News-Sentinel.
Listen to Michael's Podcast! He is the host of Crosswalk Talk, a podcast where he talks with Christian movie stars, musicians, directors, and more. Hear how famous Christian figures keep their faith a priority in Hollywood and discover the best Christian movies, books, television, and other entertainment. You can find Crosswalk Talk on LifeAudio.com, or subscribe on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an interview that will be sure to encourage your faith.
Originally published August 07, 2025.
