The Spiderwick Chronicles 2008

As the curtains of time drew closed on 1928, Arthur Spiderwick’s meticulous notes and sketches coalesced into a comprehensive field guide, detailing his encounters with the whimsical world of fairies. However, his enthusiasm was tempered by a sense of trepidation, for he knew that Mulgarath, a shapeshifting ogre, sought to exploit the Book’s secrets for nefarious purposes. Fearing the worst, Spiderwick chose to conceal his life’s work, hiding it away from prying eyes.

Eight decades later, Helen Grace (character name), a recently divorced woman, inherited and relocated her family to the long-abandoned Spiderwick estate, where she hoped to start anew with her children, Mallory, Jared, and Simon. The twins’ arrival was marked by tension, as Jared’s resentment towards their father simmered just below the surface. However, it was his discovery of a hidden dumbwaiter that led him down a rabbit hole of wonder, into the very study where Spiderwick had once pored over his notes.

As Jared delved deeper into the mysterious world within those walls, he found solace in the ancient tomes and relics, but his family remained skeptical of his tales of magical creatures. Undeterred, Jared’s curiosity continued to get the better of him, leading him to uncover a hidden hoard of secrets that would change everything.

The following morning, Jared’s furtive nature drew attention from an unexpected quarter: Thimbletack, a brownie whose ire had been sparked by Jared’s careless revelation. A peace offering of crackers and honey soon placated the agitated sprite, who rewarded Jared with a sacred holed stone that granted him the ability to behold the usually invisible fairies. Thimbletack imparted ancient wisdom upon Jared, revealing the protective mushroom circle that encircled their newfound home.

As the days passed, Jared’s innocence was shattered by the abduction of his twin brother Simon at the hands of goblins, led by the cunning Redcap. Simon found himself face to face with Mulgarath, masquerading as an elderly man, in a remote goblin campsite. Meanwhile, Jared infiltrated the campsite, where he encountered Hogsqueal, a hobgoblin whose malevolent nature belied his gruesome visage. The hobgoblin gifted Jared with the ability to perceive fairies without the aid of the holed stone, imbuing him with a newfound sense of purpose.

As Simon was returned to Jared’s care, the twins found themselves embroiled in a desperate bid to reclaim their stolen book and exact revenge upon the forces of darkness that had brought them such terror. The ensuing chaos saw the family flee back to the safety of their home, where Mallory took up her fencing sabre to defend against the encroaching goblins. As the dust settled, Jared and Simon stood united, their bond stronger than ever, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead in their newfound world of wonder.

As the children’s desperation grows, they decide to seek the counsel of their great-aunt Lucinda Spiderwick, Arthur’s daughter. While Simon cunningly diverts the attention of the lurking goblins, Mallory and Jared make a daring escape through an underground passage. However, their narrow escape from a troll sent by Redcap is only possible when it’s struck and killed by an oncoming truck, leaving them shaken but grateful for their close call. They soon find themselves face-to-face with the wise and enigmatic Lucinda in her humble abode at a psychiatric hospital, surrounded by a curious entourage of sprites. She reveals to the trio that they must locate Arthur and enlist his aid in destroying the cursed book, which has been held captive by the sylphs for an astonishing eighty years. Just as she’s imparting this crucial information, Redcap and his goblin minions launch a surprise attack through the hospital windows, managing to pilfer several precious pages from the ancient tome before being driven off. It becomes clear that Mulgarath is overjoyed by the discovery of these stolen pages, which contain the secrets of breaking the protective circle.

Meanwhile, Helen’s skepticism sparks an argument with Jared during their drive home, culminating in his angry outburst and declaration that he no longer wants to live under her roof. Later, Hogsqueal, privy to Mulgarath’s sinister plan, shares this knowledge with the children. Fueled by determination and a newfound sense of urgency, Jared, Simon, and Mallory turn to the book for guidance, successfully summoning a majestic griffin that whisks them away to the mystical realm of the sylphs. There, they reunite with Arthur, who appears remarkably youthful despite having been imprisoned for so long. However, their reunion is short-lived, as Jared soon discovers that Thimbletack has cunningly swapped the pages, leaving the children holding a mere replica of the sacred text. Arthur’s relief turns to dismay when he learns that Mulgarath now possesses the knowledge necessary to shatter the protective circle.

As the family prepares for the worst, Helen is finally convinced of the truth by her children’s unwavering testimony. Meanwhile, the goblins complete their sinister task, unleashing a potion that successfully shatters the magical barrier as the full moon reaches its zenith. The family must then defend themselves against the marauding goblins using an arsenal of kitchen knives and homemade salt-and-tomato-sauce bombs - a concoction deadly to these mischievous creatures. After a thrilling battle, the goblins meet their demise in a spectacular explosion of tomato sauce. In the aftermath, Richard, the children’s father, suddenly materializes, only to reveal his true identity as Mulgarath in disguise. With Jared’s quick thinking and cunning, he outmaneuvers the imposter and sends him tumbling off the roof. As the dust settles, Mulgarath transforms into a raven to reclaim the Book, but is promptly devoured by Hogsqueal, bringing an end to his malevolent schemes. In the aftermath of this chaos, Jared and Helen are finally able to reconcile their differences.

As the weeks tick by, the enigmatic Lucinda accompanies her new adoptive family on a poignant visit to their humble abode. This unexpected return finds them reunited with Arthur, his ethereal companions the sylphs, now that the ancient tome known as the Book has been safeguarded. However, this fleeting reunion is bittersweet, for Arthur’s prolonged presence would exact a terrible toll: his very essence would dissipate into nothingness. Lucinda, sensing an opportunity to recapture her lost innocence, implores Arthur to allow her to accompany him on this transcendent journey. As if in response to her plea, the sylphs tenderly transform her back into her childhood form. Witnessing this poignant tableau, the members of the Grace family are left to bear silent witness as the sylphs whisk Arthur and Lucinda away, leaving behind a lingering sense of wonder and longing.