Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw - Jeff Kinney's books take on parenting

It’s time for Greg Heffley to give us another page from his Diary.

Directed by Matt Danner, Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw is another delightfully silly installment of the Wimpy-verse that makes for perfect holiday viewing. As the fourth film on Disney+ in five years, this entry continues the franchise’s trend of solid animated family fare that feel closer to the spirit of the novels than previous films.

Written by series creator, Jeff Kinney, Last Straw reintroduces the world to young teen Greg Heffley as he struggles to meet his dad’s expectations. As a laid-back youth, Greg is just trying to make it through the day but his father? Well, he wants him to show his true potential by turning his act around. But when things get out of hand, Greg’s dad unleashes a threat that forces Greg to re-evaluate his wimpy ways… or else.

Honestly, the Wimpy franchise has really come of age on the small screen. While the books had previously been adapted as a live-action family film franchise in the early 2010’s, it’s in the world of animation that Kinney’s series truly comes to life. Simply put, the animated Wimpy world feels most true to the unique visual style that the books have offered for nearly twenty years now. From Greg’s gangly arms to these character’s over-sized heads, every character simply feels like a unique expression of hand-drawn innocence, even amidst their frantic CGI movements. What’s more, as the rules of physics and reality are abandoned, the animated films have the opportunity to let their silliness fly. (For example, just try making a lawnmower blade do what happens in Last Straw without the freedom of the animated world.)

(L-R): Frank (voiced by Chris Diamantopoulos) and Greg (voiced by Aaron D. Harris) in Disney’s “Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw,” exclusively on Disney+. © 2025 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.

And yet, beneath the silliness, what truly makes these stories work is their ability to feel… normal. Even for those who have never read the book series, there’s an innocence about these characters that remains entirely relatable. After all, who hasn’t struggled to connect with their parents? Or felt like an outcast in their own home?

Though, this time around, Kinney’s screenplay actually steps into a slightly different perspective by following his father, Frank Heffley. While the film is absolutely Greg’s story about his own struggles, Last Straw gives us a window into the challenges that parents face when trying to do right by their families. Facing the pressure of being ‘good enough’ as a father, Frank competes with his seemingly perfect to prove his ability to raise up Greg as best as possible. And, in the process, he must also confront his own insecurities about himself and what it means to be a parent at all.

“I just feel like I don’t know how to be the father my kid needs,” he says, sadly.

But more than this, Frank struggles to see his own struggles within his imperfect childhood. The similarities between Frank and Greg are gradually revealed, creating an emotional arc for the father as well as the son.

Call it Diary of a Wimpy Dad, if you must.

Even so, this comparison and contrast between characters gives Last Straw a surprisingly beautiful subtext that elevates the film. This isn’t just Greg’s story of awkward youth. It’s a reminder that so many of us felt the awkwardness of our own teen years that can be forgotten so long after. As such, there’s a gracefulness within the weirdness that feels… relevant. Despite the wild animation and silliness, The Last Straw feels like it could be anyone’s story, whether you’re a pre-teen or a parent.

It’s worth noting that, while the film is called The Last Straw, that is also the title of the series’ third book. Currently, no announcements have been made but one can expect that more stories from the Wimpy-verse are on the way. And, frankly, let them come. This iteration of the franchise is inoffensively delightful (especially for Disney+). And, if the writing can continue to be as strong as this film, I hope that this is far from the Last Straw for Greg Heffley.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw is available on Disney+ on Friday, December 5^th, 2025.