Psychologicalhorror filmslove digging into the minds of artistsa pursuit that becomes self-reflexive when the troubled character isa filmmaker.
Stopmotion explores that trope from a visually dynamic point of view, following a youngstop-motionanimatoron a dangerous downward spiral.
Her new little helpers input feels impulsive at first, then becomes more pointed and demanding.
Image: Courtesy of Samuel Dole/An IFC Films and Shudder release
Soon, Ella becomes consumed by the project, and Stopmotions film-within-a-film begins creeping into its main narrative.
The more Ella struggles to take control of her life, the more her perception of reality becomes distorted.
There are some story turns in Stopmotion that can feel a bit familiar.
Image: Courtesy of Samuel Dole/An IFC Films and Shudder release
Youll spot them coming early on, and perhaps thats the intention.
Stopmotion opens in theaters today, February 23; it arrives on Shudder May 31.
Want more io9 news?
Image: Courtesy of Samuel Dole/An IFC Films and Shudder release
News from the future, delivered to your present.
