It doesn’t take long for “I Am Frankelda,” a film being sold as Mexico’s first stop-motion feature, to show that it has a lot more going for it than a simple claim to fame. our first clue is the introduction to the “Land of Spooks,” a fantasy realm parallel to the real world which influences human nightmares. It’s an absolute explosion of mixed media: Cardboard cutouts with 2D illustrations depict a castle spire as a bolt of lightning strikes, while a combination of painted and live-action insert shots punctuate the movements of the puppets. It’s an immediate glimpse into the boundless creativity of this first feature from Roy and Arturo Ambriz,brothers and co-founders of the production studio cinema Fantasma.
A New Animation Studio Rises with “I Am Frankelda” – and a little Help from Guillermo Del Toro
Notably, the studio has some creative and financial backing from one Guillermo Del Toro, who recently released his own quasi-musical stop-motion fantasy, and whose love of the macabre can be felt in the Ambriz brothers’ own creative direction (not to mention the overlap between Del Toro’s new “frankenstein” and the Mary Shelley-esque author at the heart of “Frankelda”).There’s a little bit of Henry Selick in here too (perhaps “The Nightmare Before Christmas” most of all), but the aforementioned interest in mixed media instantly begins to set the studio’s work apart, even as their movie flaunts its foundational influences.
The story of the film is actually a prequel, set prior to the events of the Cartoon Network Latin America series “Frankelda’s Book of spooks,” which depicts mythical creatures from horror folk tales invading Earth from a realm where nightmares live; those tales are told by the titular Frankelda, a writer who also happens to be a ghost.Fortunately, “I Am Frankelda” doesn’t really ask for any prior knowledge of the show, since it bypasses the episodes and dives directly into Frankelda’s past in the Land of Spooks.
“I Am Frankelda” Review: A Tactile, Grotesque, and Ultimately Moving Stop-Motion Masterpiece
“I Am Frankelda” is a phantasmagorical experience, a blend of twisting gothic spires, impossible land formations, and disconcerting expressionist proportions. The film’s creatures are impressively complex and visually detailed, and the obsessive, hand-crafted work evident in every aspect speaks to its core message: the ecstasy of creating art and the complex relationship between author, audience, and text. The film’s form truly serves its function, making the notion of art taking on a life of its own incredibly convincing through its impressive and lively puppetry.
The production team’s commitment to tactile effects is palpable. Each frame is packed with color, featuring smoke, an ocean of spooky fog (complete with hands!), and clouds constructed from cotton wool. Details like the fur on Procustes boiling between shots and the king partially fading into shimmering mist demonstrate a level of ingenuity rarely seen in modern animation.
While the initial focus on brilliant and grotesque creature designs is captivating, the story truly finds its footing once the world is fully established. The film then settles into a groove, delving into Frankelda’s anxieties about being a creator and Herneval’s guilt over his mistakes as he desperately tries to save his family – a guilt beautifully expressed through song.”I Am Frankelda” is brimming with ideas about the often-distressing process of making truthful art, expressed through a remarkably purist craft. This is particularly noteworthy at a time when animation faces the threat of AI-generated imagery.The Ambriz Brothers and their team deliver a grotesquery that is far more appealing, rooted in tangible artistry.
“I Am Frankelda” screened at the 2025 Tokyo International film Festival. it is currently seeking U.S. distribution.
Grade: B+
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