Written and directed by Paula Rhodes, librarians tell a new colleague of the book that burned so many. For nearly four hundred years one book served as a tool to torture and murder over a hundred thousand women, yet the fact that it was created out of sexually frustrated rage wasn’t taken into account. Starring: Cissy Jones, Veralyn Jones, Sarah-Nicole Robles, Tara Platt and Julian Richings.

Paula Rhodes, with the help of cinematographer Bobby Lam, kicks things off with a very strong aesthetic, one that feels slightly akin to Agent Carter, capitalising on a rich, 1950s inspired palette. It holds a lot of warmth and intrigue, while the directorial style moves with a classic curiosity and thirst for knowledge. The library setting is excellent both visually and to set that tone of sitting down to hear a meaningful tale.

The animation is well done, although it can feel like it’s leaning a touch too hard on a historical style, which can make it feel a little stiff or old-fashioned. Almost reminiscent of something you’d find in educational content, rather than entertainment, which works but not quite as effectively.

The story is nicely done, moving back and forth between the present day and exploring the past hits a good balance. Reframing the story to highlight its continued relevance was a great choice. It hits strongly upon that message of history that needs to be remembered so that it is not repeated. However, the attempts to overtly connect it to today’s world with modern language and phrases like rage post, feel as though they’re dumbing it down.

All of its relevancy feels perfectly plain without the extra explanation. Especially since all of the topics of misogyny, violence against women and sexual frustration, remain prevalent. So, it’s somewhat of a double-edged sword, it’s well chosen but not as subtly delivered as hoped.

However, what is delivered with consistency and quality across the board are the performances from the leading trio Cissy Jones, Veralyn Jones and Sarah-Nicole Robles. They all satisfyingly tick those boxes that Burned’s atmosphere is going for, the curiosity, the academia, the witty edge and the quintessential resentment for how women have been treated in history.

Cissy Jones and Veralyn Jones’ librarians feel reminiscent of Carla Gugino, Angela Bassett and Michelle Yeoh in Gunpowder Milkshake, minus the martial arts and assassinations. It’s that sharpness and unspoken connection. While Sarah-Nicole Robles gives us a slight naivety yet eagerness to learn which is very charming. The voice work from Tara Platt andJulian Richings is then another solid addition, they both add a lot of personality and plenty of bitterness.

Burned has a great concept, it nicely captures how the witch trials remain relevant to today, and how those women deserve to be remembered for their resilience and refusal to be broken. There’s a lovely old-school quality to the dialogue, and though it does over-explain itself at points and throw in a few unnecessary buzz words, it’s still well written. The ensemble give great performances, the aesthetic in the live action scenes is exceptionally strong, it’s enjoyable and has a clear, worthy message.

Verdict: ✯✯✯½ | 7/10

Screened as part of FirstGlance Film Festival Los Angeles 2025 on November 16