I am a huge fan of Hilda, both the graphic novel series by Luke Pearson and the animation, directed by Andy Coyle. When I heard that Coyle had created an animated horror short I knew I had to watch it as I do love his work.
The story is short but simple: over 12 minutes we hear from the narrator about his camp out in the woods with friends during the heatwave in 1995. The friends make camp in the woods near an old beaten-up car and enjoy each others’ company whilst chugging some warm beer. One of the friend shares a local urban myth of the Pine Creepers, creatures who stalk the woods looking for victims. Whilst they go to sleep for the night, something seems to be waiting for them.
Though the animation is limited, due to budgetary and staffing constraints, what has been achieved is commendable and downright amazing. The story is very simple but effective whilst the narrator recounts the story with an air of someone who still remembers the events of that night.
The fun, cartoony medium belies the horror that lurks beneath the surface. The art style is CalArts, short for the California Institute of the Arts. It is one of the biggest and most well-known art schools in the world and has been very influential in the 2010s, being the art style of choice for Gravity Falls, Gumball, Steven Universe and many more. The style usually features characters with rounded faces with noodle-like arms and legs and bean like smiles. They usually have thin lines which do not have depth and the colour palette is often more muted and less detailed than a more painterly approach of some other art schools. Some have hated on it but I have not had a problem with it, provided that it is done well. And, in this case, it has been done excellently.
I would highly recommend this short animation as it does surprise and delight in equal measure.
LINK- Hilda- Complete Series 1 Netflix Review
LINK- Hilda- Complete Series 2 Review