Wolfwalkers: New Irish film hailed the 'best animated movie of the year'

The latest movie from Kilkenny's Cartoon Saloon has received rave reviews from critics after making it's world premiere at the 45th Toronto International Film Festival this week.

Wolfwalkers tells the tale of a 17th-century hunter who has a change of heart when she travels to Ireland to wipe out the last pack of wolves and is the latest project from directors Tomm Moore and Ross Stewart, part of the team behind such traditionally-animated modern classics as The Secret of Kells and Song of the Sea.

Moore landed Oscar nominations for both films and the director could be in line for his third nod at next year's ceremony, with critics hailing the animated film as Cartoon Saloon's best yet.

After debuting in Toronto on Saturday night, critics took to social media to offer their view on the film, with critics unanimous in their praise of the film, which will be available to stream on Apple TV+ later this year.

In “Wolfwalkers,” a young English apprentice hunter, Robyn Goodfellowe, helps her father (voiced by Sean Bean) to wipe out the last wolf pack. However, exploring the forbidden woods outside the Puritan town, Robyn befriends a free-spirited girl, Mebh, a member of a mysterious tribe rumored to have the ability to transform into wolves by night. As they search for Mebh’s missing mother, Robyn uncovers a secret that draws her further into the enchanted world of the Wolfwalkers.

Respected entertainment site The Playlist offered a glowing review of Wolfwalkers, calling it the 'easily the best animated film of the year'.

"This is the product of a sublime dedication to artistry as it serves storytelling," Carlos Aguilar writes in his review. "With their alchemist touch, the folks at Cartoon Saloon turn ancient fables into heart-pounding adventures with humanistic relevance. Not only is 'Wolfwalkers' easily the best animated film of the year, but a stirring masterwork, as stunningly gorgeous as it’s philosophically profound. No matter what comes next, Moore and company will forever be among the best artists ever to have graced the medium."

Variety were equally as impressed with the film, writing: "In the decade since 'Kells,' it’s not just the technological advances that make Moore’s latest so impressive, but the rapidly changing cultural conversations as well. He brings everything together by borrowing from timeless visual influences, leaving audiences with another stunning artwork for the ages.

Moore developed the story for the Wolfwakers with Stewart, and the pair based it on themes that have inspired them since they were teens growing up in Kilkenny.

“Wolves are important to Irish folklore,” Moore said. “They are associated with the countryside and with human transformation. As teenagers, both Scott and I were familiar with a story of the wolf people of Ossory. We borrowed [some of that mythology] but took our own artistic license. The wolf was seen as a person and a partner, an apex predator, rather than a monster, that we had to fight against, and that was really inspiring to us.”

“And, when we were doing the research, we came across so many old myths involving wolves, and in most of them, the wolves were seen as these wise creatures, that if you were fair to them, they would help you back,” added Stewart.