After years of captivating audiences with intense and emotionally complex performances, Freddie Highmore has stepped into lighter, more magical territory with The Canterville Ghost (2023). The animated adaptation of Oscar Wilde’s classic tale sees Highmore lending his voice to Henry, the charming Duke of Cheshire, in a film that combines humor, heart, and a touch of old-fashioned British wit.
The film, produced by Space Age Films and Align, offers a delightful reimagining of Wilde’s 1887 story, following an American family who moves into the grand but haunted estate of Canterville Chase. The ghost, voiced by the incomparable Stephen Fry, soon discovers that his haunting skills are no match for the fearless modern family now occupying his ancestral home. Caught in the middle of this ghostly chaos is Highmore’s Henry — the young aristocrat whose budding romance with Virginia Otis (voiced by Emily Carey) becomes a sweet counterpoint to the film’s comic scares.
For Highmore, The Canterville Ghost represents a return to the whimsical storytelling that first made him a household name. Two decades after his breakout as Charlie Bucket in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, his voice now carries the same warmth and sincerity that defined his early performances. Yet, there’s a maturity in his delivery — a calmness that reflects how far he’s come since those childhood roles.
Directed by Kim Burdon and Robert Chandler, the film boasts a star-studded British voice cast, including Imelda Staunton and Toby Jones, and features rich, painterly animation that evokes a timeless fairy-tale quality. Critics have described it as “an elegantly crafted family film with an old soul,” praising its balance of humor and moral depth. While it may not have the high-octane intensity of Highmore’s previous work, the film’s charm lies in its simplicity and sincerity.
The Canterville Ghost premiered in UK cinemas to moderate reviews, holding a 60% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Viewers particularly praised the chemistry between Fry’s ghostly bravado and Highmore’s gentle optimism. For families seeking something cozy yet clever, the film has quietly become a hidden gem in the crowded landscape of animated releases.
Beyond entertainment, the project underscores Highmore’s versatility as a performer. Transitioning from live-action drama to voice acting requires a different set of tools, and his nuanced vocal performance demonstrates a refined understanding of character. As he explained in an interview, “Voice work demands imagination — you have to create emotion without the physicality. It’s liberating in a way.”
In an industry that often typecasts actors, Freddie Highmore continues to defy expectations. After mastering drama and venturing into thrillers, The Canterville Ghost shows his lighter side — thoughtful, charming, and joyfully nostalgic. It’s a reminder that while he’s unafraid to tackle darkness on screen, Highmore still knows how to make audiences believe in magic.
