The Tale of Despereaux

If you want animation that is not just for kids, The Tale of Despereaux is available in Australia on Foxtel Now right now. The length is exactly right for the story it is telling — nothing rushed, nothing dragged out. Its 6/10 TMDB score, built from 1,023 ratings, reflects a title that consistently delivers. Matthew Broderick brings more to the role than the format usually demands. Start it on Foxtel Now whenever you need something guaranteed to land.

The Tale of Despereaux arrived without much fanfare and built its audience the hard way — through word of mouth. The look of The Tale of Despereaux gets people in the door, but the writing is what keeps them there. Once upon a time... In the far away kingdom of Dor... Lived a brave and virtuous mouse with comically oversized ears who dreamt of becoming a knight. Matthew Broderick and Dustin Hoffman lead a cast that brings real weight to the material. It was released in 2008. The Tale of Despereaux uses the freedom of animation to tell stories live-action could not attempt. It delivers reliably on what it promises, which is more than most of its competition manages.

Genuinely enjoyable for a wide range of viewers, The Tale of Despereaux treats animation as a delivery mechanism, not a limitation. It does not lean on comparisons to make its case. It is a manageable watch, easy to fit into a single evening. The writing operates at a level the format's reputation does not fully prepare you for. Adult animation that actually works for adults.