Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children is a visually captivating, fantasy-adventure film directed by Tim Burton, based on the 2011 novel by Ransom Riggs. Released in 2016, the film offers an enthralling experience for fans of the fantastical, blending Burton’s signature gothic aesthetics with a gripping tale about peculiar children possessing supernatural abilities. While the film has its moments of brilliance, it also presents certain drawbacks in pacing and character development that may not satisfy everyone. In this review, we will explore the film’s strengths and weaknesses, its themes, performances, and its visual grandeur.
Plot Summary
The story follows Jacob “Jake” Portman, a teenager from Florida who embarks on a mysterious adventure after his grandfather, Abe, dies under unusual circumstances. Abe often told Jake stories about children with peculiar abilities who lived in a special home under the care of Miss Peregrine. Although Jake initially dismissed these as fairy tales, Abe’s death reveals clues that suggest the tales may have been real. In search of answers, Jake travels to a small island in Wales, where he stumbles upon the ruins of Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children. Through a time loop created by Miss Peregrine, Jake is transported back to 1943, where he meets the peculiar children, each with unique abilities such as invisibility, levitation, and super strength.
The core conflict revolves around the threat of the Hollowgasts, monstrous creatures led by the sinister Barron (Samuel L. Jackson), who seek to devour the peculiar children in order to gain immortality. As Jake uncovers his own peculiar ability, which is essential to defeating the Hollowgasts, he must protect his newfound friends and help them escape Barron’s clutches.
Themes
The film touches on several key themes, most notably the concept of belonging and self-acceptance. The peculiar children, with their bizarre powers, live a secluded existence, hidden from the outside world because they don’t fit societal norms. Through Jake’s journey, viewers witness his struggle with feelings of alienation and the discovery of his peculiar gift, which brings a sense of purpose. This mirrors the universal struggle for identity and belonging that many adolescents face.
Another significant theme is time. Miss Peregrine’s Home is trapped in a time loop, reliving the same day in 1943 to avoid being destroyed by a German bombing raid during World War II. This time loop raises questions about the passage of time, aging, and mortality, all intricately woven into the narrative. Although the children remain young physically, there is an underlying sadness in the knowledge that they are stuck in the same day forever, unable to move forward.
Performances
The performances in Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children are a mixed bag. Eva Green delivers a commanding performance as Miss Peregrine, the eccentric, pipe-smoking headmistress who fiercely protects her charges. Green brings depth and charisma to her character, making Miss Peregrine both nurturing and intimidating, with an air of mystery surrounding her.
As Jake, Asa Butterfield gives a competent performance, portraying a boy torn between his mundane life and the strange new world he discovers. Butterfield’s portrayal of Jake’s quiet vulnerability and growing courage is effective, though at times his character feels somewhat underdeveloped. This is more a fault of the script than Butterfield’s performance, as the film doesn’t delve deeply enough into Jake’s emotional journey.
Ella Purnell, who plays Emma Bloom, a girl who can manipulate air and must wear lead shoes to avoid floating away, has a subtle yet captivating presence. Her chemistry with Jake adds a touch of romance to the film, although the relationship feels somewhat rushed and lacks the emotional weight it could have had with more screen time.
On the other hand, Samuel L. Jackson’s portrayal of the villainous Barron is over-the-top, almost to the point of caricature. While his menacing presence and wicked sense of humor provide entertainment, Barron lacks the complexity of a truly compelling antagonist, which weakens the overall tension of the story.
Visuals and Special Effects
One of the film’s strongest elements is its visual design. Tim Burton is known for his dark, whimsical style, and Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children is no exception. The setting of the old, gothic mansion surrounded by misty forests and rocky shorelines is beautifully realized, creating a dreamlike atmosphere that draws viewers into the peculiar world. The attention to detail in the costumes and set design adds to the film’s immersive quality, with the children’s peculiarities reflected in their clothing and the design of their living spaces.
The special effects are generally impressive, particularly in the portrayal of the peculiar children’s abilities. Emma’s air manipulation, Olive’s fire powers, and Millard’s invisibility are rendered convincingly, blending seamlessly into the live-action sequences. However, some of the CGI, especially during the climactic battle scenes, can feel slightly cartoonish and detracts from the otherwise dark tone of the film.
The use of practical effects, such as the creation of the stop-motion animated skeletons during the final battle, is a nod to Burton’s earlier work and adds a unique charm. These moments remind viewers of Burton’s penchant for blending horror with playful fantasy, a balance that is evident throughout the film.
Pacing and Structure
One of the main issues with Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children lies in its pacing. The film’s first half is well-paced, with Jake’s exploration of the peculiar children’s world unfolding gradually, building intrigue. However, the second half, particularly the final act, feels rushed. The showdown with Barron and the Hollowgasts, which should have been the film’s climactic moment, is over too quickly and lacks the tension and emotional payoff that the story seems to be building toward.
The film also struggles with character development. While Jake and Miss Peregrine receive the most attention, many of the other peculiar children remain underdeveloped, serving more as visual spectacles than fully realized characters. This is unfortunate, as each child’s peculiar ability offers the potential for deeper exploration of their personalities and the challenges they face living in isolation from the world.
Final Thoughts
Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children is a visually stunning film that blends Tim Burton’s gothic aesthetic with a whimsical, fantastical narrative. The film’s strengths lie in its rich visual design, compelling performances by Eva Green and Asa Butterfield, and its exploration of themes like belonging and time. However, it falls short in certain areas, particularly in its pacing and character development. The film touches on interesting ideas but fails to fully flesh them out, leaving some aspects of the story feeling incomplete.
For fans of Tim Burton’s unique style and those who enjoy dark fantasy adventures, Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children is an entertaining, albeit imperfect, experience. While it may not reach the heights of some of Burton’s earlier works, such as Edward Scissorhands or The Nightmare Before Christmas, it still offers a visually rich, imaginative world that invites viewers to lose themselves in its peculiar charm.
