If you’re looking to spend the weekend by taking a younger relative to the movies, this latest project from director Henry Selick may not be your safest bet for a nightmare-free slumber.

Based on the acclaimed children’s book by Neil Gaiman, “Coraline” is the darkly fantastic tale of a little girl (voiced by Dakota Fanning) who finds herself the target of a deceptively sweet “other-mother,” an otherworldly being determined to capture her soul for eternity.

The film itself, created by LAIKA studios, is beautifully made, animated completely by hand and is the first stop-motion feature ever to be filmed in stereoscopic 3D animation. It is fairly reminiscent of the visual style of Selick’s other works, “James and the Giant Peach” and the well-known “Nightmare Before Christmas.”

The film’s characters are distinctly influenced by Selick’s unorthodox style and are characteristically imperfect with their humped backs, snaggle-tooths and dirty clothes. However, this style of animation really contributes to the overall tone of the film and even gives it a touch of reality amongst bizarre visuals.

Not only is “Coraline” visually astounding, but it is further enhanced by the music score. Created by French composer Bruno Coulais the use of simple, thematic melodies, many of which feature the vocals of children, alternately exudes a tone of childish wonderment and sheer creepiness.

Similar to his other works as well, “Coraline” is rated a happy PG, though its dark themes and visuals that resemble the hallucinations of a bad trip may test the mental comfort of some younger and even more mature viewers.

Overall though, the film is one to be seen by those who possess an appetite for strange new worlds filled with danger and a slightly twisted sense of excitement. But viewers beware: if you are looking for a light, happy children’s movie that will take you back to the days of Disney, you may want to consider waiting for…well…whatever Disney’s working on currently.