The "Earwig and the Witch" is a children's novel written by Diana Wynne Jones. It was published posthumously in 2011 and was later adapted into an animated film by Studio Ghibli in 2020. The story follows the life of a young orphan girl named Earwig, who is unexpectedly adopted by a mysterious witch named Bella Yaga. Earwig is a resourceful and independent character, who is not afraid to speak her mind. She quickly realizes that living with Bella Yaga is not as glamorous as she initially thought. Bella Yaga assigns Earwig various household chores and expects her to be obedient, but Earwig has other plans.
When Bella Yaga and the Mandrake adopt her, however, she finds the first real challenge to her usual wiles. She's excited to learn magic, but dismayed by Bella Yaga's disinterest in teaching her. Still, Earwig doesn't lose hope or feel beaten down by their unwelcoming demeanor. Eventually, she brings the curmudgeonly Mandrake onto her side by showing interest in his novel writing and lavishing him with compliments.
Earwig and the Witch delves into a magical world of its own, beginning with a high-speed chase between a redheaded witch voiced by singer Kacey Musgraves in the English version and a ravenous yellow car. As the unpleasant witch who immediately puts Earwig to work on grinding up rat bones, Bella Yaga is a clear reference to the Russian fairy tale Baba Yaga.
Bella Yaga assigns Earwig various household chores and expects her to be obedient, but Earwig has other plans. She cleverly manipulates the witch to get what she wants and makes the best out of her situation. One of the central elements in the story is the mandrake, a magical plant with powerful properties.
The Ending Of Earwig And The Witch Explained
At first glance, Earwig and the Witch doesn't look anything like a Studio Ghibli film. The Japanese animation studio is best known for its gorgeous hand-drawn films that often delve into the fantastical — like Spirited Away or Princess Mononoke. The newest Ghibli film, however, immediately stands out from the rest: Earwig and the Witch is the studio's first computer-generated movie.
Gorô Miyazaki, the son of Ghibli co-founder Hayao Miyazaki, took his third round as a feature film director for Earwig and the Witch, basing it off of the English author Diana Wynne Jones' children's novel of the same name. Though Jones was a popular and influential writer in her own right, Ghibli fans will know her for authoring the book that inspired the beloved film Howl's Moving Castle.
Earwig and the Witch delves into a magical world of its own, beginning with a high-speed chase between a redheaded witch (voiced by singer Kacey Musgraves in the English version) and a ravenous yellow car. She drops her baby girl, Earwig, off at an orphanage for safe keeping, promising to come back when she no longer has 12 witches hunting her down. The girl, renamed Erica Wigg (Taylor Paige Henderson), grows up to be a manipulative young child who, despite her best efforts to the contrary, is adopted by the witch Bella Yaga (Vanessa Marshall) and the not-quite-human Mandrake (Richard E. Grant).
In her new home, a strange house with disappearing doors and rooms that exist in between dimensions, Bella Yaga puts Earwig to work preparing spell components. Earwig eagerly tries to get Bella Yaga to teach her magic, but becomes increasingly resentful when it's clear that she's expected to be a dutiful servant. With the aid of the talking cat Thomas (Dan Stevens) and through mischief and meddling, Earwig eventually gets Bella Yaga and the Mandrake under her thumb, turning a horrible living situation into a pleasant one. The final moment of the film shows her best friend from the orphanage, Custard (Logan Hannan), and, surprisingly, her mother coming for a visit.
It's a sudden ending, so let's break down what it really means.
Bella Yaga is determined to use and control the mandrake for her own benefit, but Earwig becomes curious about its potential. She starts to experiment with the plant and discovers its ability to grant wishes. As the story progresses, Earwig uncovers more secrets about Bella Yaga and her past. She befriends another orphan named Thomas who also lives with the witch, and together they set out to uncover the truth about Bella Yaga and find a way to escape from her clutches. Throughout the story, Earwig's character development is evident as she becomes more confident and assertive. She learns to trust her own instincts and relies on her intelligence and wit to navigate through challenging situations. The "Earwig and the Witch" is a captivating and charming tale that explores themes of independence, friendship, and the power of self-belief. It is a testament to Diana Wynne Jones' exceptional storytelling abilities and her ability to create compelling characters that resonate with readers of all ages..
Reviews for "The Moral Lessons in Earwig and the Witch Mandrake"
1. Matthew - 2/5 rating - I was really disappointed with "Earwig and the Witch Mandrake". The animation style was very different from what I was expecting and it just didn't appeal to me. The story felt disjointed and lacked a coherent narrative. It felt like the characters were never fully developed and I had a hard time connecting with them. Overall, I found the movie to be quite underwhelming and not worth the hype.
2. Sarah - 1/5 rating - "Earwig and the Witch Mandrake" was a complete waste of time for me. The plot was confusing and didn't make much sense. There were many unexplained elements and the ending left me unsatisfied. The animation was also not up to the standard I would expect from Studio Ghibli. The characters lacked depth and I couldn't bring myself to care about what happened to them. I wouldn't recommend this movie to anyone.
3. Michael - 2/5 rating - I was really excited to watch "Earwig and the Witch Mandrake" as a fan of Studio Ghibli, but unfortunately, it didn't live up to my expectations. The story felt rushed and didn't have enough time to fully develop. The animation style was a departure from the usual Ghibli style and it didn't work for me. Additionally, the characters felt one-dimensional and lacked the charm and depth that I love about Ghibli films. Overall, it was a letdown for me and I wouldn't watch it again.
4. Emily - 3/5 rating - "Earwig and the Witch Mandrake" was not my favorite Studio Ghibli film. The story was interesting, but it lacked the magical and whimsical elements that I usually associate with Ghibli movies. The animation style was unique, but I found it to be a bit jarring at times. The characters were likable, but they didn't have the same depth as characters in other Ghibli films. While it wasn't a bad movie overall, it didn't quite meet my expectations.