When the pandemic slowed the world down, Asa Butterfield found himself drawn to a script that spoke to connection, curiosity, and heart.
Stitch Head is a new animated movie directed by Steve Hudson, and based on the children’s books by Guy Bass. The film is a re-interpretation of Frankenstein, telling the story of a stitched-together monster-kid searching for love, friendship, and belonging—often without realizing it’s right in front of him.
Secret Los Angeles sat down with Asa Butterfield and Steve Hudson to talk about the making of the film, the inspiration behind its spooky yet family-friendly humor, and what it really means to embrace your weirdness.
Behind the scenes of Stitch Head with Asa and Steve.
From Buster Keaton to Chaplin, Stitch Head’s visual world draws inspiration from Hollywood’s classic cinema, combining slapstick, horror, and heartfelt emotion.
“We were using the camera from silent comedy and early horror — tilted angles, deadpan expression — to give Stitch Head vulnerability and comedic timing,” says Director Steve Hudson. “Anybody can animate a tear, but you’ve got to earn that tear.”
The animation team had to balance big action sequences—hot air balloons, marching mobs—with intimate moments that reveal the soul of Stitch Head and his monster friends.
“He’s been literally stitched together, so we wanted this kind of slightly broken quality about his voice,” Butterfield says of the character’s voice, combining physicality and emotion. “But he’s also got this uncertainty about himself and his place in the world—‘Is he saying the right thing? Will he be heard?”
But certain playful sequences presented challenges. Butterfield laughs when he recalls a particularly silly moment.
“He has a little rap early in the movie, once he’s finally got his mojo. Trying to do a rap whilst also doing this kind of stitchy voice was quite a challenge, but we had a laugh.”
Finding the power in your own uniqueness.
At the core of the film lies a message about self-discovery, individuality, and belonging.
“It’s all about finding the power in your own uniqueness—not just accepting how weird you are, but celebrating it,” Butterfield explains. “And knowing there’s always someone out there who appreciates you for that.”
The story also explores the universal search for love and connection.
“He’s on this quest, searching for something, searching for love, searching for connection, and he doesn’t even realize that it’s right in front of him,” Butterfield says.
For Hudson, this journey is what gives the film its emotional resonance.
“These characters have soul. Stitch Head and his little monster friends—they stay with you. The ultimate fascinating thing about monsters is their humanity. And it’s that journey, the mix of adventure, comedy, and emotional honesty, that makes audiences care about them.”
L.A., community, and why Silverlake tacos beat a Sunday roast any day.
In Stitch Head, our protagonist joins a traveling circus. He hopes that fame and excitement will bring him the love and connection he’s been searching for. When asked why so many misfits are drawn to creative communities, Asa Butterfield sees a parallel with cities like L.A.
“Finding a community that celebrates what you do and who you are, that pushes you to be a better version of yourself—that’s really important for everyone,” he says.
Though Butterfield admits L.A. isn’t personally his scene, he can’t resist its quirks—and it wins in a few key ways over London. In a game of “This or That” comparing the two cities, Butterfield made some striking decisions.
“I’ll take La La Land over Notting Hill, The Office US over the UK version— simply because I personally think Steve Carell’s funnier than Ricky Gervais—and tacos in Silverlake over a Sunday roast any day. I mean, American tacos are top tier. I think Sunday roasts are overrated.”
🎬🎟️Stitch Head is now playing in theaters! To get your tickets, visit the official Stitch Head site here. Enjoy 25% off tickets to Stitch Head on Fever. Use code STITCH25. Don’t miss the most highly anticipated Halloween movie of the year.