The defence The Sentimental Softie
“Sincerity is not manipulation.”
The film risks embarrassment to make emotion communal, and that openness is harder than fashionable detachment.
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The Velveteen Rabbit
Animation · Family · Fantasy · 2023
When seven-year-old William receives a new favorite toy for Christmas, he discovers a lifelong friend and unlocks a world of magic.
Movie details
The Velveteen Rabbit
“Imagine how love makes us real.”
2023 Animation · Family · Fantasy 44m
Critical arithmetic
One number, for now.
Scores change. Arguments endure.
TMDB
6.9 / 10
Community rating
When seven-year-old William receives a new favorite toy for Christmas, he discovers a lifelong friend and unlocks a world of magic.
CriticWise case file
What this film says about your taste.
Not a recommendation score. A measure of how closely the film’s taste signals resemble yours.
The archetype split
Who fights over The Velveteen Rabbit?
For the defence
The Sentimental Softie
“You came to feel something, and you will.”
Read their case For the prosecution
The Cool Ironist
“Feeling things is a little embarrassing.”
Read their objectionThe split comes from the same five-axis model used by the test, not audience ratings or review sentiment.
Where it lives
Watch in your region.
Cinema release signals and current streaming, rental, and purchase options for your region.
Streaming availability data supplied by JustWatch.
Names above the title
The people responsible.
Cast & crew
Directed by
Jennifer Perrott
Written by
Tom Bidwell
Phoenix Laroche
William
Alex Lawther
Velveteen Rabbit (voice)
Samantha Colley
Mother
Leonard Buckley
Father
Tilly Vosburgh
Mary 'Momo'
Helena Bonham Carter
Wise Horse (voice)
Lois Chimimba
Car (voice)
Court is in session
Put The Velveteen Rabbit on trial.
Two incompatible taste archetypes. One film. Read the arguments, then issue a completely binding cultural ruling.
The prosecution The Cool Ironist
“The strings are showing.”
Every cue tells you exactly what to feel and when, leaving sentiment to do the work character should have done.