“Stopmotion,” a chilling venture into psychological horror, is set to make its theatrical debut on February 23, before gracing the streaming platform Shudder on May 31, 2024. This feature film, directed by Robert Morgan, marks his first full-length endeavor, blending live-action with his renowned stop-motion animation. It stars Aisling Franciosi as Ella Blake, a stop-motion animator grappling with her inner demons following the loss of her overbearing mother.
The film delves into the realm of macabre puppetry, as Ella’s isolated world sees her embarking on a new puppet film project. However, this venture quickly spirals into a battleground for her sanity. As Ella’s mind fractures, the characters in her animated world begin to mirror her turmoil, taking on a life of their own and pushing the boundaries of her imagination to potentially destructive ends.
A Director’s Vision Brought to Life
Morgan, celebrated for his BAFTA-nominated and award-winning short films such as “The Separation” and “Bobby Yeah,” infuses his unique artistic vision into “Stopmotion.” His background in stop-motion animation deeply influences the film’s aesthetic, crafting a nightmarish landscape where puppetry and reality converge in unsettling ways. This signature style has earned Morgan critical acclaim, including the Best Director prize at Fantastic Fest and a Special Jury Prize at Sitges for “Stopmotion.”
Joining Franciosi in this eerie narrative are Stella Gonet and Tom York, who contribute to the film’s brooding atmosphere. Franciosi, known for her roles in “The Nightingale” and “Game of Thrones,” brings a nuanced portrayal of Ella, whose journey through grief and creativity becomes a metaphor for her mental unraveling.
Morgan’s Mastery of Horror and Animation
Robert Morgan’s expertise in animation and horror storytelling is evident in “Stopmotion.” His body of work includes contributions to the cult-favorite “Don’t Hug Me I’m Scared” and feature films like “The ABCs of Death 2.” Morgan’s flair for blending the grotesque with the poetic has established him as a distinctive voice in horror cinema.
The anticipation for “Stopmotion” is high, with IFC Films and Shudder expressing excitement about bringing this hybrid horror to a broader audience. The film’s intriguing blend of psychological horror and animated artistry is poised to offer a unique cinematic experience, pushing the boundaries of how stop-motion is perceived in the horror genre.
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