CORALINE | what's up with Wybie?

[@mylittlethoughttree]

Use the code TREE for 51% off World Anvil with the link worldanvil.com/?c=mltt Or else try it out for free!! get 10% off from MANTA SLEEP with the code TREE: bit.ly/4aGJHjV Patreon link: www.patreon.com/mylittlethoughttree Buymeacoffee link: www.buymeacoffee.com/mltt

[@sentientfetus3894]

The movie makes More sense and more believable then the book I read it. The diloge of in the book like on courage felt to on the nose

[@MylingCyrus]

Calling a kid why were you born the same day meeting them is crazy 😭 coraline has no chill

[@JFairy189]

Coraline is legit someone I would've avoided growing up lol. She absolutely has no chill lol

[@maddygullotta2551]

@@JFairy189 I definitely would have buttheads with her because we were so similar as children. I was definitely the accidental bullly growing up because I was insecure.

[@HeavyMetalHindu]

That line was just so many levels of uncalled for cruelty

[@samjole3093]

I mean he DID just call her Caroline (her biggest pet peeve) and insinuate such a name makes her "ordinary" lol. Sure "why were you born" is meaner but Wybie did take the first shot🤷‍♂️

[@JFairy189]

@@samjole3093 True. Coraline just be savage like that lol.

[@Scerttle]

As a non-reader I gotta say that Wybie never felt out of place to me, it's wild to me that he isn't in the source material...

[@Cage-CatYT]

Honestly same, I remember when I was younger reading the book for the first time and being very confused why he wasn't there 😭

[@tkpease]

Wait! Some people don’t like Wybie? How. Howbie

[@Suedetussy]

I was surprised, too. I find Wybie very cute.

[@CaulkMongler]

In many ways he’s more likable than Coraline herself, to me.

[@Suedetussy]

@@CaulkMongler Exactly, he’s an abused kid, but doesn’t take his anger out on other kids.

[@lookatyoustrawberrybrunette]

Wherebie, whatbie, whobie, whenbie, wybie.

[@billcox6791]

I read the book after the movie and his absence made the book feel empty in a bad way

[@voxangelaemortis]

I saw the movie before even being aware that the book existed. Can't fully explain why, but Wybie is perhaps my favorite character in the movie. Even moreso than Coraline herself. I think it is because he poses as such a foil for her. To him, Coraline is not a beloved daughter or a cute little girl in quaint way adults see little girls. She is another kid and, therefore, he doesn't hesitate to call her out on being weird for thinking a stick of poison oak is a dousing rod, to call her crazy and go running out of the house when she is being manic, or to keep trying to be her friend on both sides of these events. (Plus there is the tragedy of his Other counterpart. And, let us not forget, Coraline saves him right back shortly after he saves her from the Belle Dame's needle hand; still brave, just wavered a bit like we all tend to do sometimes.) Without him, Coraline would have been too much of a trope child protagonist that is annoying but everyone praises, loves, and (in the Belle Dame's case) covets incessantly anyway.

[@littlemoth4956]

Bro absolutely not, what? First of all, Coraline isn't annoying. In a few moments she is, but generally she is not. Second, Wybie doesn't "call her out" on anything. He just says it's poison oak, he doesn't call her weird. And when he calls her crazy, HE came to HER house, and she was telling him the truth. Third, literally no one in the real world praises, loves, covets, or even seems to care about Coraline until the end. By all margins Coraline is treated pretty badly by everyone in the film up until the Beldam, which is why her trap almost worked. This INCLUDES Wybie, as no matter how much he "calls her out" for being "weird," the guy literally stalked her on multiple occasions in a skull mask and sent her a doll that looked *just like her* after having just met her and talked to her for a few minutes.

[@kaitlynpressman]

@@littlemoth4956I mean… he’s also weird. But he did imply that she was weird for waving around poison oak and (understandably) thought she was insane for her ramblings about the doll bc to any normal person that shit sounds psychotic.

[@corimoon3360]

I’m sorry but Wybie is annoying and weird in a way that Coraline isn’t. He’s also rude. He almost ran her over, didn’t seem to care and then rudely insulted her due to her name… he’s not that cool. Also Coraline wasn’t mean. She just didn’t take any sht from anyone and people don’t like to see that crass, upfront behavior in little girls so they call them “mean” and “annoying” when they’re just being real lol.

[@3li.mp339]

@@littlemoth4956anyone who claims to favorite wybie over a coraline just wants to be different

[@makayla_702]

@@3li.mp339people can like different things i fear 🤨

[@aprilvaiarella435]

Wyborn is an actual name and it means something along the line of noble warrior and well-born.

[@mylittlethoughttree]

I did not know that, thank you!

[@aprilvaiarella435]

@@mylittlethoughttree You're welcome. I love learning the meanings of rare, unusual or foreign names. I find it fascinating.

[@wanderingintime]

this movie surely utilizes the double meaning well then..

[@lani3217]

His inclusion in the film is literally in his name!! sidenote as a brown person, it was incredibly refreshing to see someone with familiar hair and skin to me as a child in the film. There aren’t a lot of occult classics that have brown people in them such as this, and it was definitely nice to see.

[@greyLeicester]

Interesting take. I always saw him as dirty and unkempt white kid.

[@chickenfoot2423]

cult classics

[@lani3217]

@@chickenfoot2423 I said a occult for a reason 😂 but thank you for your input

[@SilverSkitty]

Same here!

[@asheleybowles7038]

I'm a Black woman. Seeing Wybie's coarser hair and somewhat brown skin initially stood out to me when first seeing this movie in theaters. His features were neither overtly discussed nor explained in the movie, much like there was no reason as to why Coraline’s hair was blue other than to allude to her uniqueness and individuality...so, I didn't think twice about Wybie’s visual portrayal. I just accepted that his visual presentation also spoke to his uniqueness...like his head tilt or skeleton mask and gloves, making him an immediate foil to Coraline and establishing the importance of his character early on. In the wishing well scene, hearing his grandmother’s voice calling for Wybie, the thought did cross my mind, “that lady sounds like my grandmother…like a Black grandmother,” but it was a fleeting thought caught up in all the buzz and pacing of the movie. Also, admittedly, it was lost on me in the very first scene of the movie that the Beldam was deconstructing a Black girl’s doll. And in seeing the picture of the grandmother’s sister who was Black and the ghost girl who was Black, I thought, “Wow, Black characters in a semi-scary stop animation movie. That’s a first. Love it!” But at the end of the movie, when Wybie walks out with his Black grandmother in the garden, this was and still is one of the most refreshing "quiet reveals" maybe without intending it to be a reveal. I was like, "Oooooooh, so Wybie was Black or mixed race this whole time", made me realize, yeah, I need to see more People of Color (POC) in all genres of movies. Representation for People of Color matters. Knowing now that Wybie wasn’t included in the book, I appreciate that the makers of this movie thought to include POC at all. Thanks for the video about Wybie. He's a loveable character. I've seen so videos few about him.

[@bananamanchester4156]

I think it's so compelling that the Other Wybie, who is essentially a puppet of the Other Mother, defies the other Mother to save Coraline. In fact, the Other Father does something similar. First of all it shows that the Other Mother is not just moving inanimate objects, she is actually creating beings with sentience! Secondly, Other Wybie shows a tremendous amount of courage and self-sacrifice by saving Coraline. Of course this would.endear her to the real Wybie, who must also have these qualities, because the Other folks are copies of the real folks. Additionally, it probably also served as inspiration to go back and save her parents and the ghost kids, following his example. Also, bonus theory about Wybie's grandmother- i have a hunch that she met the Other Mother as a child. Her sister was her twin, and she knew her sister was "taken". She also knew about the doll. Could it be that she was able to escape the Other World, but her sister chose to stay? Or perhaps, that her sister went through the door one night without her, and never came back?

[@bluegreen9799]

You know what kind of follow up movie could be made by the Coraline creators that I believe everyone would enjoy? A part 2 that takes place in the past with Wybie's grandmother. The movie could tell the story of what happened before Coraline's appearance. It would have an obviously heartbreaking end (since we know the girl did not make it out alive), but the movie could leave some room for sweetness by creating a ghost moment with Wybie's grandma and her twin sis to really wrap things up. It would be scary and animated but possible to make for the kids, and the adults would surely love it. This makes use of your very valid theory. Fan's curiosities are great fodder for movie sequels.

[@mightguy3118]

​@@bluegreen9799so many movies getting unnecessary sequels these days when Coraline actually deserves a sequel and doesn't get one. So much you could do with this world.

[@MeemahSN]

@@mightguy3118 The thing is, while the world is expansive, Coraline's story doesn't really have much else to explore. There are tons of theories that could be canonised for the sake of a sequel, but other than that, her story is pretty much over. Maybe the Beldam returns, but how would you do that without it feeling like a rehash? Perhaps Coraline never escaped and the sequel focuses on her real escape? The ending to Coraline, although with heaps of room for interpretation, feels very conclusive. I don't know if there's a way to continue Coraline without it feeling redundant. I think the beauty of the film is how vague it is, and the fact that there is physical evidence suggesting that Coraline is actually trapped in the Other World, without directly stating it, makes for a much more interesting ending to an otherwise simple narrative. I don't think it needs a sequel.

[@rightbumper_]

watching this, i realize now that coraline the book was very much about fear, and coraline the movie was much more about loneliness

[@allen6187]

That’s such a good way to describe it! The themes are present in both, but while the book really emphasizes bravery despite fear, the movie emphasizes Coraline’s loneliness and her learning to accept new things and people into her life (things that are different than what she believes they “should” be, as shown by the other world). She learns that she might have to be brave despite fear, but she also learns that she doesn’t need to do those scary things alone.

[@user-op6kt8pg9y]

My theory for the movie is the parents called him whyborn because they didnt want a child so they now neglect him, the other mother preys on neglected children wich is why his grandmother makes sure to look after him

[@cecilyerker]

His grandmother would also be protective because her twin sister is one of the ghost children taken by the Other Mother

[@FalltoCrimiez]

whyborn is crazy

[@cecilyerker]

Coraline needed someone her age to talk to other than the cat or the adults. Henry Selick named him after a kid who he grew up with and argued for the necessity of Wybie’s character in the script. Wybie’s grandmother also had a twin sister who the Other Mother killed. She lured her with the doll you see get turned inside out in the opening credits sequence. She’s one of the child ghosts, with the pigtails.

[@SingingSealRiana]

The book is her introspection, she can't express how she feels in the movie without having someone to talk too

[@katherineofarrogant6370]

I don't think the ending detracts from Coralie's character at all. When she's confronting the other mother she's always scared, but she does it anyway. The other mother isn't like getting over your fear of spiders, she is a very real threat that can very easily kill Coraline. Nobody alive would not be afraid of that, and it would make her character unbelievable if she was. But where Coralie is brave in that even though she's terrified, she does it anyway for herself and every other child that could come across this place. And it's also sweet that in the end, she isn't alone and has people who care about her.

[@z3phraim]

Reminds me of a quote I read somewhere a while ago, "courage is never the absence of fear; it is rather the presence of fear but so too the will to overcome it"

[@allen6187]

I have an edition of the book where the author included an intro, and that’s exactly what he said his intention was with her! I completely agree that, while she didn’t defeat the other mother by herself, she was incredibly brave despite being afraid. On top of that, I think that Wybie being there really added to the idea that she doesn’t have to fight her battles alone. She has people who care about her, even if she doesn’t realize it or always get along with them perfectly! It’s very sweet, and it’s such an important message for kids. Independence is important, but connection with others is just as essential.

[@jacobkakyoin6882]

When I was younger I disliked the addition of Wybie purely on book purism, but he adds a lot to the movie and even the original story - a perspective like his even could have worked well in the original; he adds a lot to the backstory of the house on top of providing something Coraline does really need. The main thing I remain divided on is being unsure I like him saving Coraline in the final hand encounter, same as you. It completes his story arc and their friendship subplot nicely and parallels the Other Wybie doing the same, and it’s a visually exciting sequence, but I also very much liked Coraline being able to outwit and entrap the hand on her own. I wonder if it could’ve been done well as a combination of the book angle and what we saw; Wybie’s unexpected presence complicates the book plan and potentially endangers them both, or some element goes wrong for some other reason, but then their mutual trust plays an important part in defeating the hand anyway? Some compromise had to be possible. I never caught the mud thing, though. That’s really cool!

[@siobhanflanagan4339]

As someone who saw the film first and then read the novel as a teenager, i love both mediums for what they explore and represent. The inclusion of Wybie is something i really liked. In my opinion Wybie helping Coraline to destroy the key doesn't take away from her courage or even her being afraid of walking alone in the dark, she is a child and our fears aren't always rational no matter how brave we may have been previously. Wybie helping Coraline also shows his growth and bravery as a character. He has defied his grandmother, compared to previous scenes were he would often rush home to her calling his name.

[@izzyeis5752]

i also don't find it weird that she just goes on against the other mother but has to steel herself walking in the dark to get rid of the key - against the other mother, she was in the middle of the situation and had no alternative - go against the mother and save her parents or become another victim like the three ghost children. at the end, she thought it was over and doesn't know what to expect. but it's not over, she has to get rid of the key, but how long will it take for the beldram to come for her? i suppose you could say it's partly the suspense if something is going to happen and when?

[@sleepyhollowo]

i LOVE Wybie!! there’s something so endearing about him, they way he moves and emotes! i was pretty disappointed when i read the book and he wasn’t in it. and Other Wybie adds such so much to Coraline’s time in the Other World-and to the horror of it, I remember seeing his mouth stitched shut and being absolutely horrified. such a great addition!

[@GraniteChickenMrJr]

Watching coralline clips without music or voice acting helps me appreciate the animation so FREAKING MUCH

[@romywilliamson4981]

I didn't know about the book, so I was surprised that Wybe was not in the original. It seems like he is necessary for Coraline to talk to, so we get to hear her thoughts in the movie format. But, now that I have heard the original ending, it does sound more meaningful than the slightly generic 'ambush and rescue' scene in the film.

[@williamhanekom9882]

I think what people usually dont acknowledge is that Wybie is one of the characters who actually pushes the story forward at the beginning. He brings the doll to the exact place the other mother could lure coraline in because it resembled her. This very much adds to the fear wybies grandma had, implying the beldam can sense any child that comes within range of the house.

[@robertbaileyjr9290]

Wow! A friend of mine sent me this and I loved your analysis, really spot on (I’m the voice of Wybie for context lol)! Just wanted to say how much I enjoyed this and reading all the comments from your audience. Truly a joy to be a part of something people are still so passionate about and still love so much all these years later. Anyways, subscribed! All the best everyone 🤗

[@mylittlethoughttree]

Well now that's just the coolest thing ever! I really appreciate the performance you gave him so much personality, and it's such a great film. Easily my favourite stop motion of all time, and Wybie elevates it so much. I hope this doesn't come across badly, but I don't suppose you'd be open for a small interview about your experience on Coraline? If not, that's perfectly fine, I'm really just awestruck you popped up here and that you enjoyed my video. Thanks for brightening my day! 👊

[@Idiot_TaylorsVersion]

Wybie exists because Coraline talks to herself so much in the book

[@efoxkitsune9493]

I love your point about the mud, that's such a nice little detail. Ever since I can remember, Wybie's name always struck me as really heartbreaking. He fascinated me as a character, and I almost wished we could see more of him. But I think it works great just the way it is. Thanks for the video.

[@pixel-7388]

I was actually shocked this wasn’t mentioned but a part of why I really love the belldam’s wybie is because if you think about it, that is a part of the belldam’s conscious rejecting what the main conscious wants, part of the belldam wants to help Coraline which adds a sad and horrific layer to the character.

[@jolie_xoxo855]

DISCLAIMER: I know theory stuff isn't the point of this video's analysis, I just think some people might also have heard this or find it interesting. On world building/theory level, the addition of Wybie and Ms. Lovat can point to something quite sinister. In the movie, one of the ghost children was Ms. Lovat's twin sister. She strictly forbids Wybie from going to the Pink Palace apartments. Wybie tells Coraline he's surprised to see her living there because his grandma doesn't allow families with children. Some put these details together and conclude that Ms. Lovat intentionally allowed Coraline's family to stay, hoping Coraline would be taken to spare Wybie as he ages out of eligibility. I never noticed the mud handshake thing! I also like how Coraline initially pushes away Wybie, as well as other characters, even though he's exactly what she's been longing for. Not wanting to accept the move, still feeling agry at having to leave her old friends behind, etc is a part of it too, I think. Accepting Wybie as a friend could feel like she's accepted the move and/or disregarded her old friends

[@bananamanchester4156]

It's an interesting theory but I must say it doesn't quite gel with her character! Grandma seems to know a lot about the Other Mother. My theory- she actually went through the door and met the Other Mother herself! Perhaps she went with her sister, and chose to leave while her sister chose to stay. Or more likely, she went through the door alone but felt something was off and escaped, like Coraline. But her sister, not knowing the danger, wandered in instead. Either way Grandma knows about the doll, so she must know about the OM's powers and their limitations. She knows the OM can't forcefully take a child, they have to consent to stay with her. So to protect Wybie, it makes much more sense to do what she does in the movie- forbid him from entering the Pink Palace, tell him honestly about the danger, and keep a close eye on his whereabouts!

[@cecilyerker]

The mud analogy was a stroke of genius

[@jeniferjoseph9200]

My theory is that Ms. Lovat is pretty old and she had people doing the renting out for her, and they stretched the truth about their being a kid to her because they were the only people interested in the place

[@darlingdannid]

@@jeniferjoseph9200 it could also mean that coraline's parents are so negligent that they genuinely didn't think to mention her. usually parents at open houses will gush about whether the house is right for their kids. coraline's parents might not have considered her at all

[@ShadowGalactica]

Wybie's grandma being the twin of one of the ghost children really works for me.

[@chelscara]

When I was a kid, I didn’t like his inclusion for that stereotypical “why does she need a _boy_ to save her now” but as I’ve gotten older I really enjoy him. On top of the technical reasons you talked about when turning a book into a movie, he’s just a fun character and neither he nor his other-version diminish what she does do on her own throughout the entire movie.

[@bobsart403]

I think one little detail that could have made the ending better was have Coraline write a note saying something like "thanks for showing me the well" or even just "going to the well" and attaching it to the cat. Because she knows the cat goes to Wybie often and she was trying to prove the beldam to him earlier in the film (she couldn't go to his house because she doesn't know exactly were it is, just that its nearby) it would also make sense that she would want to prove it before she got rid of the key. If the note is vague enough it could even explain the tongs as there the same one he uses for slug hunting.

[@Patchouliprince]

The book is isolating and really scary, and it’s great, but I enjoy what he brings to the movie. I like that she has another child to bounce off of and lean on

[@themeekwarrior]

I never really took "Why-were-you-born" as being a part of his backstory and origin. Apparently Wyborn is a name that can mean "warrior", "war-bear", or "war hero". He could also just be living with his grandmother because of circumstance. My best friend grew up with his grandparents because his parents were young and his mom shipped off to join the military after his biological father skedaddled, and as a result grew up feeling he didn't need his parents for a complete upbringing. Wybie seems grounded and doesn't get stung enough by Coraline's catty remarks to not want to pursue interaction with her. Granted, she's probably the only kid his age living in the area for miles seeing how isolated the house is. Wybie is one of my favorite things about the movie, for his quirkiness and genuine child-like connection to Coraline, that allows her personality to come out and to create an interesting dynamic between them.

[@ashleighcalvert8937]

I don’t think her looking afraid and comforting herself undercuts her courage because she is doing something scary in the face of her fear. I do agree though that her tricking the hand is a better plot beat and I think they could have still incorporated it in the fight scene somehow. Maybe Wybie saving her gives her the strength to stop being scared and have a clear head with which she tricks the hand somehow.

[@Silica-black]

I personally disagree with coralines ending in terms of it sabotaging her courage. I understood that scene as Coraline doing the thing that made her scared in spite of her fear which reinforces her underlying courage.

[@fernadineneally4330]

Have to agree here. Plus, after someone goes through something traumatic, there's a tendency to BE more on edge and alert as if it could continue. She also had the ghost children tell her it's not over, so she's suddenly aware the danger she thought she escaped is back on the horizon.

[@maddygullotta2551]

Exactly. I think also as a horror film, I can understand the director wanting to keep the tension going for audiences. I havent read the book (It's on my list), but when I watched the film as a kid I was at the edge of my seat! I knew she was going to win (because it was a kids horror film). But I was still scared for her, all that tension would have been gone and it would have felt less like a horror movie ending and perhaps even a little unbelievable ? That she out smarted an eldritch horror demon and as a result, making it less scary (in my opinion obviously.)

[@mylittlethoughttree]

Meaningwise it certainly makes sense, but not in terms of the narrative progression of a movie. The film builds up scarier and scarier until the big fight with the beldam, then drops down to a simpler fear. Makes sense but in terms of story structure and climax, it creates an underwhelming conclusion

[@madisonmartinez5928]

Also, Coraline is supposed to be 9, so with the movie showing Coraline getting more outside help from Wybie I feel is a bit more realistic than a kid that young taking on a demon spider lady single-handedly, even if it's not as satisfying to some people.

[@thebaconsarelit]

I think it's pretty realistic, honestly. In situations where danger is so readily known and apparent, the fear part of the brain might not even have time to activate (shock/adrenaline rush). The pause between dangers and the uncertainty and less physically imposing danger of the woods wouldn't necessarily be scarier, but might allow the brain time to run its funky little anxiety wheel and have it crank the tension in an entirely different way. Hopefully that makes sense, lol.

[@thenoddistsdisciple]

This movie's really special to me because it's set where I'm from. The original book is set in the UK, but the movie is set in Oregon. The stop motion company that made it - Laika - is also based in Hillsboro, Oregon. This movie just captures the mysterious magic of growing up in the Pacific Northwest that I can scarce describe, you have to be from here to truly understand it. The beauty of the gloom, and the eerie fantastical vibe of this region, are on full display in this film.

[@yeet6362]

I love Wybie so much. He reminds me of me when i was a kid. Is obliviousness towards how odd his actions are at times was also like me. It was nice to see as a weird little kid with only one friend. owo But also, as weird as it was at the end with Him saving Coraline was intentional, everything the creator did was super intentional, every little detail, even ones you wouldn't have seen at the time when you couldn't actually pause and rewind easy, because he knew that at some point, people would notice all these details and realize there was a deeper thing to the story as a whole. Many, and i mean *Many* Details lead to the idea that Coraline actually never made it back to the real world at the end. The Fangirl on KZbin has a really good Scene by Scene Story Detailing and Theory Building that Proved that Fact pretty well with all the little details people normally completely overlooked. It's so friggen dope.

[@joshKozak]

ALSO! Adapting Wybie allowed for Other Mother to mute him and make that SUUUUUUPER creepy scene while still allowing it to be super organic and not detracting from much. Idk that scene where other mother sinisterly smiles at him added so much to the cinema.

[@ruby71406]

I love the video and i really liked your thoughts on Wybie! I actually really like the ending but i see why it being a departure from the book is dissapointing. I guess i always thought her arc in the movie is more about accepting her need for love and help even in a new environment and so wybie saving her and her accepting his help unlike before was meaningful. and it still is but i do think it would've been cool if she had a similar crafty moment like in the book. I also just love the scene for the frightening atmosphere and i think its a great character moment between them

[@allen6187]

I completely agree! Someone else in the comments put it incredibly well: the book focuses on bravery despite fear, while the movie emphasizes the struggle of loneliness and how to allow new people into your life. Both themes exist in both pieces of media to an extent, but Coraline’s loneliness really shines in the movie in almost everything she does.

[@little2526]

I was 8 when this movie came out. And it sparked something inside me. Art just excites me. I was so taken by it. I started the book after, still young but don't remember much. I watched it for its anniversary and again there was a rush of excitement and passion for creativity and now nostalgia. It means a lot to me. I may read it now at 23.

[@DivineKnight_115]

I really think the ending of the film implies that just because they locked up the little door, and chucked the key in the well doesn’t mean the other mother and that other world just disappeared. The cat can clearly go to and fro at its own will but perhaps he’s going there to taunt her since he can’t stand that she hates cats. So she’s just in solitary confinement forever now slowly becoming a deteriorating memory. A bad dream that may come back but not anytime soon. The one thing that throws me off are the blooming trees by the well. Last we saw the trees alive were in the other world and in the real world they were all dead. I’m not sure what that is but it’s not there at the garden party so whatever.

[@thegodofpigeons]

the seasons change from autumn to spring in the real world even though the story only takes a few days. the flowers the real mother plants are also in the shape of the other mothers face so some people think she's still in the other world and the other mother has created an illusion to make coraline think she's back home. but I kinda think it's more meant to imply that even if coraline is in the real world, she still isn't safe and the other mother might come back (since she can get the key)

[@allen6187]

@@thegodofpigeonsI agree! I also think it’s meant to uphold underlying dread; you can’t lock away beings like the Bedlam forever, and what she represents is a very real and scary thing that’s also an unfortunate part of life. Monsters never disappear, they just change as you grow up.

[@aduckofsomesort]

In Norse Baby Names the meaning of the name Wyborn is: War bear. Middle English personal name Wyborn is from the Old English name Wīgbeorn, which is a combination of wīg meaning "battle" and beorn meaning "warrior". Weybourne From Norfolk, which may come from an uncertain first element and the Old Scandinavian word brunnr meaning "well spring”. The family name Wyborn is of Anglo-Saxon origin meaning "well-born" or "of noble descent".

[@erinirvine7588]

Wow, that's very interesting thanks for sharing.

[@InkyshadowXx]

hes literally my fav character hes so cool

[@sleepymermaid9011]

I think that the scene where she is scared while going to throw the key is really good. Her fear seems to be justified to me. The ghosts told her that she wasn't safe yet, after she thought it was done for good. Making one last step after all that happend, thinking that the Beldam might be trying to scape at the moment seems pretty scary even after defering her before (also she almost doesn't scape in the web scene)

[@thxchucky]

wybie is a great addition to the movie lol

[@shannadehning9464]

Coraline is a great child character because kids **are** often rude, incredulous, moody. Especially if they're loved and feel they can trust the adults around them. I love that you noticed that and that I found this channel :)

[@BlacKByrde]

This video proves to me that youtube has a near endless sea of video essays on almost anything and....in due time, just about everything

[@mylittlethoughttree]

Pretty much 😂

[@PalaeoJoe]

I like when adaptations add or remove characters and other details. Different versions of a story should ve different

[@acephaedramusic9588]

The problem starts when they start to leave out stuff

[@bluestrife28]

I never knew this was a Gaiman book!?! It’s official everything Gaiman has ever done or movies his works have caused are all amazing.

[@sandy80334]

I feel like if this movie came out today with the addition of wybie people would claim it’s “woke culture”. I’m happy I got to enjoy it without people adding political weight to it.

[@TheStoneTargaryen]

That ‘yep’ after world anvil will always make me happy. In 80 years ill have a mush brain but I know I’ll still scream WOOOOOORL-

[@mylittlethoughttree]

I hope it's the one thing I'm remembered for for 😂

[@Mindyours1999]

This video was so well done! I do disagree that Coraline would not have been afraid walking to the well at night after all she had just come through. Sometimes it’s only after facing a nightmare that we truly understand what fear is. Also she has awoken from her sleep having been warned that she’s still in danger but it’s cryptic and she isn’t sure where or when to expect the danger. Finally, she’s in the real world. The fear of what’s potentially real is always worse than the fear in our dreams.

[@kahnabull1694]

I wonder if Wybie’s grandmother chose to let Coraline move in as a sacrifice. We see that the other mother can operate in the outside world - stealing Coraline’s parents and the hand escaping the door. If she was so hungry.. and Wybie was the only other kid anywhere near the boarding house.. maybe his grandmother saw signs that the other mother was trying to lure in Wybie. They’re within shouting distance of the boarding house. So she allowed Coraline to move in to distract the other mother’s attention from Wybie. Just a thought that came while watching this video.. it’s never really explained why his grandmother let them move in when Wybie says his grandmother doesn’t let kids live there.

[@nataliesadler8620]

Just noticed Coraline's Michgander accent at 12:20 when she says "glad" -- it's got that little nasal sound to it. Perfect since she's originally from Michigan in the movie, such a tiny detail but i love it

[@amcr720]

I think bc the audience is experiencing the film through third person it creates a distance between us and coraline, so wybie acts as that best friend as a result. Compare this to the book where we hear all of coralines thoughts and emotions and therefore feel like a best friend who she has confided in. She needs companionship and bc we are more separate from her in the film there had to be a substitute.

[@oBuLLzEyEo1013]

I love this movie. It came out when I was 19...

[@AllieBee00]

That’s insane never noticed the muddy handshake helped her, watched the movie so many times lmao

[@Jake-ro7im]

Wooo coriline content in 2024

[@mrdee2454]

Loved the movie. Find concept of projecting the perfect world to traps souls fascinating. Gives me silent Hill and nightmare on Elm street vibes. A supernatural visual beauty for the eyes

[@Crappy9922]

Wow, here I thought I had watched this movie so many times, noticed all the little details, and here you are, opening my eyes to the muddy handshake! Just beautiul. I love this movie.

[@Nyorane]

I like him! And I feel him coming in to help at the end works for Coraline's arc because, after being neglected by her emotionally unavailable parents & turning to artificial 'perfect' people for support, it was her connection with an actual person, her imperfect flesh n blood friend, that saved her in the end. She finally got what she needed, which was support from another person, even if he's flawed and annoying sometimes. It's not really about him stealing the spotlight from her, he became integrated into her life and helped her when she needed it, demonstrating a central function of healthy social bonds (compare to her parents who were integrated into her life day 1, yet are detached from her issues).

[@joshKozak]

Also for the end of be even more scared walking to the well at night. My parents aren’t back yet idk if this is going to work and this world is supposed to be the safe one. Her singing her dad’s song is still very earned.

[@hannahkessler-i1b]

I've always liked wybie I've never read the book though i personally think they needed him to make the movie work

[@mightguy3118]

With all the sequels we get nowadays it surprises the hell outta me Coraline 2 never happened. People still talking about this movie 15 years later and the world and story is so complex if any movie deserves a sequel it's Coraline.

[@messE0916]

I think it's probably for the better. What would that story be about? Yes, they threw the key down the well with the smashed up hand so there is technically a possibility that the Beldam could have the hand reanimated and open the portal again, but that would cheapen the hard work that Coraline put in during the first film to free the other children and make sure that not even one child has to go through what they did again. And I'm sure they could do a very interesting prequel with the Grandmother and her twin, but they would have to commit to killing a main character (possibly on screen) and dealing with a story that does not by any means have a happy ending. Would that be an interesting film? Definitely. Would it ever be produced by any company that makes children's films? Probably not

[@mylittlethoughttree]

To be honest, with how time consuming and expensive stop motion can be, I'm not surprised

[@williamhanekom9882]

I dont think a story like this needs a sequel since half the ambiguity is what makes it compelling.

[@seriousdolphin267]

Actually, Laika sticks to the "no sequel needed" philosophy. There are some interviews with Laika's directors where they say they try to base their films around the "most important and influential event" in character's life, like the core event, and when the story is finished, there's nothing more to tell. In that way, the sequel might seem unnecessary and depreciate the original story, so they don't make sequels

[@SilverSkitty]

Since I read the book first, I initially turned my nose up at Wybie. But that’s because I also turned my nose up at movie Coraline. She seemed more brash and bratty than the book version and it irritated me. But I think you made a good point about how characters in movies can’t be as introspective as their book counterparts and usually need other characters to bounce off of. So in that sense, I think Wybie is the perfect complement to movie Coraline.

[@JAZZZZ427]

An interesting theory as to why he's called "Whyborn" may be because there are a lot of beliefs that naming your child an unfavorable name will Keep them safe from spirits and demons. This makes sense when putting it together with how many believe the other mother is a fae. 1: She has to have consent from Coraline or make a deal to sew buttons in her eyes; the rules of interacing whith Fae and 2: The well being the other portal has mushrooms around it which resembles a fae ring.

[@4ngelofluv]

i love this film and i always have growing up (i know most theories and little details about coraline) - the thing you said abt the mud made me feel like i was watching coraline for the first time again! i have never noticed that! i knew the importance of the mud and coraline/other mother/real mother but never made the connection to wybie as well! great video! loved your analysis!

[@mylittlethoughttree]

Weirdly I didn't even think of it myself until editing the video, when I saw the clip of him spreading mud on her via and handshake and just suddenly thought "hang on..." 😆 I'm glad I included it in the video

[@stpat7614]

Wybie seems creepy, but is actually nice. The other mother seems nice, but is actually creepy.

[@Rengad3s]

Crazy this whole channel started from your (wonderful) comment analysing a scene from Good Will Hunting!

[@Floral_skies2727]

One thing that I want to point out about wybie is there were so much missed opportunities for coraline to speak to his grandmother earlier in the movie whenever she met up with him. I feel like although including a scene like that may have taken away aspects from the movie but I do think it would be interesting if coraline investigated more. I mean, wybie did tell her that his grandmother warned of the pink palace but not once did coraline think of speaking with her to find out more. Just a thought I had, I think this would’ve been a cool thing to show.

[@srrpn]

Excellent video! I love your takes, and your voice is soo relaxing. I’ve always felt that the fight scene with the hand at the end of the movie felt lackluster, too. The fight between the Beldam and Coraline is much more climactic.

[@taylorfruga2794]

Just wanted to point out the name “Wyborn” means: battle & warrior in middle english…this dude more than lived up to his name! And i think its such a karma move that a descendant of the Beldams previous victim helped take her out.

[@boredpersonstory553]

Wybie was such a normal character that it surprise me he wasn't in the book. The book was more isolating Coraline than the movie.

[@jodieg6318]

On just a practical level I understand Wybie's inclusion; Coraline is a character that lives mostly inside of her own head and without another character to offer a foil we wouldn't know nearly as much about Coraline in the film version without resulting to a voice over of her inner monologue. I'm usually not for making new characters out of whole cloth but I think Wybie passes litmus test of if you cut him from the film entirely and just expanded on the cat's role or had no one for Coraline to soundboard off of, you would notice it and loose a part of the film's storytelling. A lot of purists will nit-pick all the differences, and, as an avid Lord of the Rings fan, I've seen a good deal of that but unless you can accept that somethings will have to change when told in a different medium then why adapt the story at all?

[@lilhedgehog8576]

I think we should’ve had a scene where Coraline was walking from the house to the garden and that’s when she would be creeped out singing my twitchy witchy girl. Then maybe she could still trick the other mother like she did in the book, but the hand somehow catches onto the ledge of the well before it falls or something then Wybie can come in to finish the job?

[@FalltoCrimiez]

Damn, I never knew Wybie wasn't in the book. He fits so well with the movie! I like his silly character, but anyways. He fits well in my opinion!

[@acc4670]

As a kid i had a crush on Wybie

[@PerpetualJoy]

It looks like Coraline also saves Wybie at the end too? (It's been a few years since I've seen it). I think thematically it kinda drives home the importance of friendship, they both look out for each other and finish the hand because of it. I haven't read the book though, so I do see how that kinda diminishes Coraline's cleverness at the end to be caught by the hand like that in the first place.

[@lizzyrank5405]

I actually like that Wybee helped in thr end. It speak to his nature in general. Evene the "other" Wybee helped even though the very real threat of erasur ir even torture was there. It speaks thag no matter what the other mother couldnt even fully control him justclike his grandmother. I think thats why the cat really likes Wybee.

[@raaagdoll]

The only thing I thought was really odd about Wybies ending was, that he was apparently waiting all night for Coraline at the well. 🤔

[@Gynoidmm]

I think many movies that are adapted from books add a character in order to have replace the main character’s inner monologue with a dialogue to that new character. I think there was a name for this type of character, but I don’t remember what it was.

[@aSouthFloridian]

Funny, I always figured he was a character in the book whose importance was lost in translation to film.

[@bryguytyguy]

I never connected the dots between the facts that he wasn’t in the books and his name is Why Were You Born. I feel like that could be related too lol

[@demonte_writes4906]

I would love to see some videos about Infinity train!

[@Mmeeoowwiiee]

I LOVE WYBIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@user-xtambourineguy]

I always felt the book was fantasy with horror, while the movie is horror with fantasy. But I might just be losing my mind😅

[@a.t.trujillo9970]

The reason why we need YB was because without wybie Coraline can't really Express promotions cuz she is nobody to express those emotions with in the book it didn't matter because we could you know be in Coraline thoughts but in the movie that wouldn't work so they added YB into the story also I'm sorry I misspelled his name

[@lizzyrank5405]

I want to know why did the grandmother allow the family with a kid to move in and if she didnt know then that means that Coralines parents lied on the lease for cheaper rent(which I cant blame) which is a breech of contract. That part never got talked about and maybe thats not the point, but grandma was a anxious person so I dont think shed be ok cause she thought enough time passed since shes always calling for Wybee home.

[@thegodofpigeons]

there are theories that coralines parents genuinely forgot to mention coraline and the grandma assumed they had no children or that someone else was renting it out on the grandma's behalf due to her age and lied about coraline since nobody else wanted to rent it (which makes sense since the whole area is basically in the middle of nowhere)

[@tiffanychae]

now I think of it, the cat is kinda like the Cheshire cat 🐱

[@styrofoamboogie2042]

good video

[@7799-e5u]

I think Wybie is an awesome character i dont care about those people who dont like him.

[@hidingtk2860]

All this time, I thought your channel's symbol was a Plum. I just realized it's a tree. 🤦‍♂️

[@fad23]

Then why's the channel called "my little thought plum?"

[@fad23]

😂

[@SergeyKhabarov2001]

Well, plums grow on trees.

[@hidingtk2860]

Look in my defense, I never watched the intro that made me realize. Of course, the purple ground the 'tree' is on 😆.

[@mylittlethoughttree]

Technically, the logo is a sapling. So I should have named it My Little Thought Sapling 😆

[@lorettabes4553]

I only know the movie. I think Wybie is cool

[@AstronaitAsslicker]

this guy sounds like Mumbo Jumbo tbh

[@poet8708]

Still hoping one day you'll check out the movie Heathers.

[@Silly_Sulky_Seli]

I love Wybie a lot also when I first saw the film, he's really neat with cool fashion... I only don't like how brute he was with that slug, poor animal

[@Astrolionking]

IF NO ONE GOT ME I KNOW WHY WERE YOU BORN GOT ME CAN I GET AN AMEN

[@Gabsbsbsmp]

BRO Wyborne is short for why born??? wow growing up watching movies in different languages really changes things huh Funny how I would never have understood this play of words if not for this video lol.

[@TheG_Boy]

I think he's actually far too under utilized

[@agen_dior]

the other mother would have needed to turn herself black to trap wybie's greataunt

[@ifrean1174]

My question is 'wybie' in the film? The book was fine without him.

[@meowmachine9147]

Did you watch the video? It's all explained in this video.

[@ViliousTorch]

v

[@anhedonia8813]

I want you to know, that if you did not have a british accent i would not have kept watching this video. That is all.

[@unknowncorner6268]

Abrasive personality?

[@delix787]

Yeah, he’s just annoying. 😂