Shortly after Shrek 5, Disney also showed a first trailer for their upcoming animated film “Hexed” or in German “Wie verhext”. However, it is not well received. Fans accuse the studio of making a movie specifically for TikTok.
What kind of movie is Wie verhext? In the first trailer, Disney presents a good overview of Wie verhext. It’s about a student named Billie, who one day suddenly develops magical abilities. Shortly afterwards, she is pulled into a world called Hex, where she not only learns about the world of witches but also about her own family history.
Traditionally for such films, Wie verhext is supposed to become a coming-of-age story that deals with themes like growing up and independence.
However, the community is quite skeptical after the first trailer and criticizes not only the familiar themes.
First trailer, many criticisms
What does the community say about the trailer? Looking at the reactions under the YouTube video, the trailer is not well received at all. One point of criticism is especially the seemingly uninspired story, which users like @gentlesmile13 compare to many other films: Why does it feel like I’ve seen this movie a thousand times, even though it hasn’t even been released yet?
Other users (via x.com) compare the film’s premise to Owl House (in German: Willkommen im Haus der Eulen). That was a fan-favorite cartoon series that was canceled by Disney after 3 seasons. Wie verhext is also compared to Forgotten Island (via x.com), the upcoming film from DreamWorks Animation, one of Disney’s biggest competitors.
However, the most interesting criticism is probably the accusation that the film is specifically made for TikTok (via x.com). Some users feel that the film has a visual composition that also works in a 9:16 ratio, making it perfect for Shorts on TikTok or Instagram. However, it might be wise to wait until the film is out before judging this accusation. It could just appear this way in the trailer.
What does MeinMMO film editor Nikolas Hernes say about the criticisms? Personally, I am also not a fan of the implied story or the art style – I feel it lacks a distinct style that sets the film apart from other animated films. But I also have to agree with a user on x.com who defends the film’s premise. The film could serve as escapism for a young female target audience, and while that is often the case, there are also superhero movies that often look similar and tell a similar story.
The accusation that the film clip was made specifically for TikTok is not entirely clear yet, as it is just a trailer, but in the past, the platform has been an important means for many films to reach a younger audience. Whether it works so bluntly with just a trailer is questionable. Films like M3GAN had specific short content that went viral, not just trailer material.
But overall, I am also skeptical about the first trailer. Unlike DreamWorks, it simply lacks the style and spark that gives the film its own personality.
What do you think of the first trailer for Wie verhext? Does it appeal to you, or is something missing? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments. If you need tips for animated films, you can find a list here: 6 underrated animated films that every fan of Disney and Pixar should see
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