A Wrinkle in Time (2018)

A Wrinkle in Time is the kind of big-hearted, big-swing family fantasy that isn’t afraid to wear its sincerity on its sleeve, and that’s exactly what makes it special. Ava DuVernay turns Madeleine L’Engle’s cosmic ideas into a vivid, kaleidoscopic journey where the spectacle isn’t just decoration—it’s a runway for a story about self-worth, empathy, and choosing light when you feel most lost. Storm Reid gives Meg a grounded, vulnerable center, while Oprah Winfrey and Reese Witherspoon bring warmth and wonder like guiding stars, making the film feel inclusive and inviting rather than chilly or abstract. It may not win over viewers who want hard sci-fi rules or a tightly wound adventure, but if you’re open to a visually imaginative, emotionally earnest ride, this one aims straight for the heart.

A Wrinkle in Time is clearly aiming to be a big-hearted, visually lush family sci‑fi fable about grief, self-worth, and the power of love, and you can feel Ava DuVernay’s sincere intent in every frame. The problem is it often plays like a highlight reel of ideas rather than a story that builds cleanly, with clunky, slogan-like dialogue and pacing that jumps so quickly between worlds that the emotional moments don’t always land. If you want tight plotting, real wonder, and an adventure that earns its big feelings instead of announcing them, this may leave you frustrated. But if you’re watching mainly for the vibrant imagery, a positive message for kids, and a cast doing their best with uneven material, you might still find it a decent one-time family watch.