Mature handling of relevant issues empowers ‘I Kill Giants’

Sydney Wade (left) and Madison Wolfe

A relatively small film compared to big-budgeted comic book adaptations, “I Kill Giants” is nonetheless effective in conveying its deep and heartfelt messages, while creating a solid puzzle that aptly confounds viewers.

Based on the comics penned by Joe Kelly, the adventure-drama centers on a peculiar teenager, Barbara (Madison Wolfe), who has given herself the task of protecting her seaside town from the supposed threat of violent giants.

Sporting a bunny-ear headband (the symbol of her spirit animal) and carrying scraps of garbage and strange concoctions, Barbara paints sigils all over town, which, she thinks, magically protect the denizens from gigantic creatures.

Barbara is seemingly content with her life as a misfit, but an older sister, Karen (Imogen Poots)—who oversees her siblings because of absent parents—tries to reach out to the self-aware but isolated girl. School psychologist Mrs. Molle (Zoe Saldana) also makes it known that she’s there if Barbara needs help, but to no avail.

The arrival of an English girl, Sophia (Sydney Wade), makes Barbara open up, though. She now has a companion in her foraging and “spell-casting” trips—someone she can share her unenviable quest with.

But, the thing that bothers everyone who cares for her is her apparent disconnection with reality. Barbara sees these immense figures only when no one else is around.

The film directed by Anders Walter benefits from a tight script by Kelly, who recreates his heroine for the screen. When not doing her protective “duty,” Barbara, an imaginative youngster, restricts herself to her home’s dank basement.

She’s an infuriating character, but that’s precisely what makes her interesting. Like those who matter to her, it’s easy to feel concern for her mental well-being. Just what exactly is Barbara’s reason for waging such an otherworldly secret war? And, are these giants just monsters of her own making? The questions are satisfyingly and profoundly answered.

The CGI creatures could’ve looked better, however, and some integral scenes could’ve been edited more smoothly. Despite those flaws, Barbara’s tale is imaginatively told, especially with a steady handling of hot-button topics, such as mental health and bullying.

Also a breath of fresh air—for us and probably the actress—is Saldana in a more relatable role, in support of young Wolfe, whose looks and spunky girl-power demeanor is reminiscent of Chloe Moretz’s. These factors fuse positively and make “I Kill Giants” a sturdy, intimate effort, while presenting its take on real issues with uncommon maturity.