Netflix has officially stepped into the world of Roald Dahl adaptations with The Twits, its first fully animated film based on Dahl’s classic 1980 children’s novel. Directed by Phil Johnston, known for his work on Disney hits like Wreck-It Ralph and Zootopia, the film promises humor, chaos, and heartfelt lessons. However, while The Twits succeeds in entertaining young audiences, it struggles to engage older viewers, making it a hit-or-miss experience depending on who’s watching.
The Twits on Netflix: Story and Characters
Unlike Roald Dahl’s original book, which focused mainly on the vile antics of Mr. and Mrs. Twit, Netflix’s The Twits introduces two new protagonists — Beesha, an older, street-smart girl, and Bubsy, her younger, curious brother. These orphans stumble upon the Twits’ disturbing world and quickly become entangled in their evil schemes.
In this retelling, the Twits aren’t just cruel pranksters — they’re ambitious and power-hungry. Their latest plan is to build a gruesome amusement park, which they call “the happiest place on Earth,” filled with traps, slime, and danger. What begins as a wild idea soon turns into a larger social satire as the Twits rise to influence in their small town, becoming political and cultural figures despite their idiocy. While older audiences might catch the satire of modern populism, the movie only lightly touches on these deeper themes, opting instead for fast-paced fun aimed at kids.
Humor and Tone: Safe and Predictable
One of the biggest challenges The Twits faces is its sense of humor. Roald Dahl’s stories are known for their dark wit and absurdity, often balancing childish gags with sharp satire. Unfortunately, this adaptation tones down the edginess. Most of the jokes rely heavily on slapstick comedy — falls, splashes, and gross-out moments — rather than clever dialogue or wordplay.
While slapstick humor is easy to understand and works universally for children across languages, it makes the film feel predictable and overly safe. For adults familiar with Dahl’s biting humor, this might come off as uninspired. Still, for its core audience — kids under ten — the film’s jokes hit the right notes of silly and fun.
Animation and Visual Style: Grim but Child-Friendly
Visually, The Twits combines different animation influences to create its unique tone. There’s a touch of Tim Burton’s gothic darkness, mixed with Nickelodeon’s slimy, exaggerated textures. The result is a world that’s grimy, dark, and slightly grotesque — just as Dahl might have imagined — but softened enough not to scare children.
The production design clearly targets younger audiences, balancing the “yuck” factor with bright colors and cartoony exaggeration. Johnston and his animation team manage to find a fine line between creepy and entertaining, making The Twits visually appealing for children but somewhat monotonous for adults.
Adding to the chaos are the Muggle-Wumps, a group of magical monkeys enslaved by the Twits to run their theme park. These characters provide moments of warmth and moral clarity in the otherwise bleak world, though their colorful designs often clash with the grim surroundings.
Themes and Message: Empathy Over Evil
Despite its flaws, The Twits carries a powerful and timely message — empathy and kindness in a world full of cruelty and ignorance. Director Phil Johnston reimagines Dahl’s story to emphasize that even in a world filled with foolish or hateful people, compassion remains the most important force.
In today’s divisive world, this message is especially relevant. Through Beesha and Bubsy’s journey, the film teaches children that standing up to evil doesn’t always mean fighting — sometimes it means understanding, forgiving, and choosing goodness over anger.
For parents looking for a movie that offers a positive moral for their children, The Twits does deliver on that front. However, older viewers might wish the film explored its themes with more nuance instead of simplifying them for easier consumption.
The Twits and the State of Modern Animation
Netflix has been investing heavily in animated films, and The Twits adds to its growing library of family entertainment. However, compared to visually and emotionally rich films like The Mitchells vs. The Machines or Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, The Twits feels basic and formulaic.
Hollywood continues to play it safe with children’s animation, often focusing on market-friendly, easily translatable humor rather than creativity or risk-taking. The Twits fits neatly into that category — charming, colorful, and harmless, but lacking the spark that defines great animated storytelling.
That said, there’s still a place for simple, feel-good films like this one. Not every animated movie has to break boundaries. The Twits might not become a cult favorite, but it fulfills its purpose as a lighthearted family movie with an important lesson for kids.
Final Verdict: The Twits Review
Overall, The Twits is a mixed bag. It has a strong heart, meaningful morals, and visually engaging moments, but its predictable humor and one-dimensional tone prevent it from standing out in Netflix’s animated lineup.
While it’s far from Roald Dahl’s darkest or sharpest adaptation, The Twits succeeds in introducing a new generation of children to his unique world of chaos and morality. Adults, on the other hand, might find themselves wishing for a bit more depth and originality.
Rating: 2.0/5 — Average
★☆☆☆☆
Watch The Twits on Netflix If You Like:
- James and the Giant Peach
- Chicken Run
- The Willoughbys
- The Mitchells vs. The Machines
Final Thoughts
Netflix’s The Twits may not revolutionize the animation industry, but it does succeed as a fun, fast-paced family film that delivers a clear moral lesson. It’s colorful, chaotic, and packed with enough energy to keep children entertained — even if adults might not find much new to appreciate.
If you’re looking for a short, kid-friendly animated movie that emphasizes empathy and humor, The Twits is worth a watch. But if you’re hoping for a deeper dive into Dahl’s twisted brilliance, you might be left wanting more.
