'Stopmotion' Review: Art Transcends Reality in Partly Animated Creepshow

Delve into the enigmatic world crafted by Morgan and co-writer Robin King, where the boundary between reality and fevered psyche blurs with haunting precision. While adept at conjuring nightmares, the portrayal of character actions, psychology and dialogue beyond the protagonist's fractured mind poses challenges.

At the core of ‘Stopmotion’ lies a timeless horror trope: the cursed creation turning against its creator. Experience the gripping tale of fictitious animator Suzanne Blake, portrayed with haunting depth by Stella Gonet, who finds herself confronted with the dire consequences of her life's work. 

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As she grapples with debilitating arthritis, exacerbated by her obsession with bringing the deceased to life on screen, Suzanne entrusts much of her creative labour to her daughter Ella (Franciosi), fostering a complex dynamic of mentorship tinged with tyranny.

Witness the palpable tension as Ella struggles under the weight of her mother's expectations, haunted by doubts regarding her artistic prowess. The result is a narrative that is both visually arresting and emotionally charged, punctuated by eerie animations and complemented by stellar contributions from the production team.

While ‘Stopmotion’ excels in evoking disturbing imagery, it falls short in delivering the conventional elements expected of a feature-length narrative. However, recent cinematic masterpieces like Phil Tippett's ‘Mad God’ and the Chilean film ‘The Wolf House’ have demonstrated the power of transcending traditional storytelling conventions in favour of a deeper exploration of the human psyche.

Don't miss the opportunity to immerse yourself in the captivating world of ‘Stopmotion’, premiering in theatres in Feb and available for general VOD release in March, followed by a speciality streamer release on Shudder in May. Explore the intricacies of madness and creativity in this haunting cinematic experience that defies convention and lingers in the mind long after the credits roll.

-Sushmita Sarkar