Written and directed by Robert Morgan, co-written by Robin King, a stop-motion animator struggles to control her demons after the loss of her overbearing mother. Starring: Aisling Franciosi, Therica Wilson-Read, Stella Gonet, Tom York, Caoilinn Springall, James Swanton, Jaz Hutchins and Joshua J Parker.
The idea of Stopmotion will likely appeal to any and every horror fan because it has the potential to be so perfectly disturbing and creepy. To mesh art with life and to really capture the way that stop-motion can occasionally have an unsettling vibe. However, while at first it feels like it’s headed somewhere interesting, it quickly falls into cheap shock value and ups the gore content.
There are so many rich themes its story could have explored but they can’t manage to fight their way to the forefront. There are hints of abuse and undiagnosed mental health issues which had a sincere and very real quality to add but they don’t get their due.
Similarly, in how it tries to blur the lines of reality but the separation between the two are inescapably clear. It’s hard to immerse yourself in the struggle to keep a grasp on what’s real when it’s patently obvious. However, what it lacks thematically, it lacks for nothing visually. The darkness and richness of its colouring is so utterly perfect.
The design of the stop motion character is right in the sweet spot for a disturbing and deformed version of reality. Every choice that the aesthetic and Robert Morgan’s direction make serve this story and a purposefully on edge and uncomfortable atmosphere.
The same can be said of the performances, although undoubtedly Aisling Franciosi steals almost every bit of the spotlight in Stopmotion. The quality of her performance and the genuine brokenness and need for solid ground that Ella can’t quite find, is what makes it more disappointing that the layered quality to her character isn’t explored further.
Franciosi is giving us so much depth and hints to these very real, relevant issues, not allowing them to more than scratch the surface does her a disservice. Although she portrays so much talent that you have to hope she continues on to become a scream queen in her own right. It would be remiss also not to mention Stella Gonet as Ella’s mother who injects an edge of your seat, harshness which is wonderful.
Stopmotion has an almost unlimited potential but can’t do it justice, ultimately choosing obvious tactics for shock and violence. The story simply can’t live up to the depth it hinted at, and the writing lets down the stellar visual work. Despite a great lead performance from Aisling Franciosi, a strong supporting cast and a strong hand at the directorial wheel, without a memorable and captivating story, it falls short of its unique, fascinating concept.
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