Ugly Sweater

Got a chance to catch Ugly Sweater during its latest film festival run. This film and the team behind it are fun and hyper-creative. Great watch! The usual joy of the christmas setting is a perfect backdrop to this coming of age story of Ruby and her friends as they face challenges from all angles that threaten thier relationships and their futures. The use of stop-motion animation takes this film to the next level and helps to offer a unique view of anxiety and the pressures teens face as they deal the gravity of graduation and college prospects. The performances are strong, the visuals are stunning, the directing is heartfelt and visionary. All in all, get the fam together this holiday season and give Ugly Sweater a watch!

Ugly Sweater is a heartfelt and visually enchanting coming-of-age story, showcasing first-time feature director Lauren Musgrove's knack for blending realism with whimsical elements. Ruby's journey to overcome her anxiety, as her vivid dreams prompted by a magical ugly Christmas sweater intertwine with her real-life, is both touching and unique. The film's emotional depth is amplified by the rich, dreamlike cinematography and playful stop motion that mirrors Ruby's internal struggles, while Musgrove's fun, energetic writing captures the complexities of adolescence. Ugly Sweater is a charming and deeply personal debut that speaks to anyone grappling with their fears while struggling with the challenges of growing up.

I saw Ugly Sweater at the Gig Harbor Film Festival with my mom and when I tell you I was absolutely enthralled with this story- it's no joke. I was engaged from start to finish over Ruby's story about anxiety in life and how Lauren Musgrove portrayed every aspect of it. My favorite artistic touch were the stop motion dream sequences, which I could watch for hours on end. Having yarn be used as the material for Ruby's dream world was so creative and fun, it's such a clever way to visually tie in Ruby's anxiety to the rest of the world around her.

Every character is easy to fall in love with. Very relatable for audiences in their adolescence to early adulthood. This is a film I cannot stop telling my friends about and would watch again in a heartbeat!