A woman rides a motorcycle down the highway, pursued by a yellow Citroen with a gaping maw for a grill. She escapes by creating a mass of worms with a strand of her hair. Ah, she is a witch. She arrives at an orphanage where she leaves a baby girl named Earwig. The matron finds the name Earwig unacceptable and renames her Erica Wig. Years go by and Erica essentially runs the orphanage. She has everyone wrapped around her finger because she is a savant of manipulation. Better still, she has managed to avoid being adopted. Until now! A strange couple arrive and select her. Bella Yaga is a witch who needs an 'extra pair of hands' for her work. Mandrake (Richard E. Grant) is a mysterious figure who commands demons and passes through walls. He is quick to anger and Bella fears nothing more than annoying him. Why do these two live together? Initially, Erica is eager to help, expecting to learn magic. Bella has no interest in teaching. However, her familiar, Thomas the talking cat (Dan Stevens), is willing to help Erica learn magic. Antics commence.
The latest Studio Ghibli film, I had high expectations and this fell far short. Who was the woman who left Earwig at the orphanage and why? She had mentioned angering the 12 witches and being on the run. Is Bella Yaga one of the 12? The Citroen from the opening chase is in the garage. Has Erica fallen into the clutches of those who chased her? Right when the movie feels like some of these questions are about to be answered, it ends. What? Is this a pilot for a series? That can't be all there is.
The epilogue shows Erica has managed to dominate Bella and Mandrake in much the way she had dominated everyone at the orphanage. Does she have a magic power of bending everyone to her will? Maybe. All in all, very disappointing. Without doubt the worst Studio Ghibli film I've seen. Skip it.
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