Hexed

Jason Hand and Fawn Veerasunthorn direct Hexed, a vibrant animated feature scheduled to hit theaters on November 25, 2026. The film stars Hailee Steinfeld as Billie Doe, an impulsive teenager whose quiet suburban existence shatters when she accidentally unleashes dormant magical powers during a school event. Her mother Alice, voiced by Rashida Jones, is a meticulous woman who has spent years hiding her own witchcraft past to protect her daughter from the dangers of the magical realm known as Hexe.

When Billie's uncontrollable abilities force their world apart, Alice must re-enter the forbidden land she fled decades ago to save her child. Together they navigate a sprawling landscape filled with eccentric rulers, stern traditionalists, and dangerous magic. Writers Dana Ledoux Miller and Jared Bush crafted a script that balances high-stakes adventure with the messy reality of a strained mother-daughter relationship. Produced by Roy Conli and Yvett Merino with a score by Kris Bowers, the project blends hand-drawn 2D animation for its prologue with modern 3D techniques for the main journey. [edit]

Billie Doe lives a life defined by friction. In the suburbs of America, she is the chaotic element in a household run by her Type-A mother, Alice Doe. While Alice obsesses over order and suppresses any hint of the extraordinary, Billie acts on impulse, often finding herself at odds with teachers, peers, and her own parent. This tension comes to a head during a mundane school gathering where Billie loses control of an unseen energy source. The resulting explosion leads to her expulsion and sends her spiraling out of her normal life.

Suddenly transported to Hexe, Billie finds herself in a world where magic is tangible, rules are fluid, and her "peculiarities" are actually signs of a powerful lineage. She is not alone in this discovery. Alice arrives shortly after, forced to confront the history she buried to keep Billie safe. The reunion is fraught with resentment and fear, but the stakes demand cooperation. They must traverse diverse regions of Hexe, from whimsical markets to treacherous forests, while avoiding those who would exploit or destroy young witches like Billie.

Along their journey, the duo encounters Queen Celeste, the enigmatic ruler of the witch realm, and Beef Roger Crummchuk, a rugged guide who may have his own agenda. They also face opposition from figures like Ms. Quill and Elias Quire, who represent the rigid traditions of the magical community. As Billie struggles to master her raw power before it consumes her, Alice faces a difficult choice: continue shielding her daughter from the truth or empower her with the knowledge of their heritage. The narrative weaves together moments of humor and genuine emotional weight as the pair realizes their differences might be the very key to saving both their worlds.

The adventure builds toward a critical juncture where the balance of magic in Hexe hangs in the balance. Billie must learn that being "hexed" is not just about casting spells but inheriting burdens and gifts from ancestors. Alice must decide if protecting her child means keeping her in the dark or trusting her to handle the light. Through spectacular animation and a story rooted in family dynamics, the film sets the stage for a climax where love proves to be the most potent spell of all.[edit]