A pioneering animated musical that transforms family grief into a moving narrative of hope and reconciliation is about to be released on Netflix. “Spellbound,” directed by Vicky Jenson, takes viewers on a wonderful journey through familial dynamics.

The film follows Princess Ellian, played by Rachel Ziegler, whose parents, Javier Bardem and Nicole Kidman, are inexplicably converted into monsters. This supernatural twist is a metaphor for family dysfunction, requiring the young protagonist to mend her broken family.

“We wanted to create something beyond a traditional fairy tale,” Jenson told me. The film delves further than normal animated fables, tackling complicated emotional experiences. To achieve realism, the filmmakers worked with JoAnne Pedro-Carroll, a child psychologist who brings a nuanced understanding of family connections.

The film’s musical score, composed by Alan Menken and Glenn Slater, gives the narrative emotional depth. A major song, “The Way It Was Before,” expresses the protagonist’s desire for familial stability.