La Casa Lobo

This is unlike anything I've ever seen before. Stop-motion is generally a cool medium, but "The Wolf House" takes it to a whole new level. The film comprises of wall paintings and rough models, that morph into each other throughout the film. As the camera moves, the set around it changes. The wall colour changes, furniture moves around, etc. Its so visually striking that you can't take your eyes of it. It took 5 years to make, and I can see why. Everything is so detailed. They could have made it easy for themselves, but instead went as far as possible to make an incredible film. The jolty camera and rough models make the film very eerie to watch. Despite not having any jump scares or violence, it is very grotesque and terrifying. On top of that the dialogue is chilling. The characters whisper into your ear, it literally gave me chills. I'd say use headphones or surround sound speakers to watch this, cause hearing the dialogue like it's coming from a person whispering into your ear really adds to the experience. Story wise, it's very weird. There's obviously a hidden meaning behind, buts It's not very clear. The dialogue is very ambiguous at times so don't worry if you're not getting the story, this films more about the visuals.

The feature is realized with 2-D animation, stop-motion animation, and a combination of the two, using a variety of media, with somewhat inherently disconcerting, uneven camerawork. This distinct myriad style is itself extremely noteworthy, and enough to absolutely set 'The wolf house' apart from most any film that immediately comes to mind. More than that, it's the most emphatically noteworthy aspect of the movie, and enough by itself to make this worth watching. 'The wolf house' is utterly captivating for the mere fact of its craft. Factor in the way that scenes are constructed or deconstructed as we watch them unfold, and we gain another level of disquiet, without yet even considering the narrative. Moreover, the amount of visual detail that is imparted in this manner is rather astounding. Love it or hate it, there's no denying that this is truly extraordinary, in the most fundamental sense of the word.

'The wolf house' is a visual wonderland. The plot, such as it is, is light, and develops ever so gradually at its own leisure, but is intriguing. Told within an overarching narrative framework, this is perhaps best described as a folk tale, with a sense of dark fantasy about it. Most of the story moseys along with passing events that are eye-catching and hold our attention, though they may not be wholly grabbing. At long length some expressly unsettling events transpire before the tale concludes with what seems like a happy ending of the sort that we sometimes expect from fairy tales. And yet - to read of the inspiration for the film, and to educate ourselves to a small extent, adds another, more profound layer to the saga before us, and to that conclusion especially. Without betraying any spoilers, let it suffice to say that as one ponders more heavily what it was that protagonist Maria ran away from before finding the titular abode, a deeply understated sense of horror begins to develop about the exact course of events in the feature.

I think it probably goes without saying, but by no means is this going to be for everyone. Twenty minutes after I finished watching I had a stronger regard for it than I did when I first finished, and as I ruminate more on what I've watched I'm pretty sure my opinion will strengthen further. Yet even as I immediately fell in love with the imagery, my first thought as to the content was "so what." I won't begrudge anyone who views 'The wolf house' and doesn't like it; this is a feature for only the most patient and open-minded of viewers. I did use the terms "horror" and "dark fantasy" earlier, but the latter is simply flavor, and the former is more thematic than concrete, and wholly up to personal interpretation at that.

If nothing else, this much is true: this film is a painstaking labor of love, a feature years in the making with an unparalleled visual style. The grand effort alone makes it worth watching as far as I'm concerned, nevermind that it paid off, a feat that also helps to wash over a deficiency of storytelling. I think the narrative is strong, but it's a mistake to look to any particular genre label to help guide one's viewership here. Moreover, the very simplicity of it also leaves me marginally uncertain, and that the boost of outside context does so much to help solidify the tale also perhaps reflects poorly on the writing. Still, when all is said and done, I enjoy this so much more than I don't, and I'll absolutely be thinking on it for a long time to come. 'The wolf house' is both a great curiosity and a visual feast, and if you're receptive to all the wide variety of content that cinema has to offer, this is an absolute treat.

This is a very artsy film that went all in on the visuals. Unfortunately, it was at the expense of the narrative. There will be some viewers who will enjoy this film for the animation alone, and it is a towering achievement, an art installation come to life. It is atmospheric and haunting, and many viewers will compare it to a nightmare. I personally wanted more story to go along with the incredible sights. They used many mediums to achieve the animation, but much of it involved what looked like paint to create characters and objects, then simulating motion by painting over that. Apparently, this is inspired by true events that occurred in a German cult located in Chile. Trying to describe this movie is like describing music--putting it into words will never be the same as experiencing it.

The outstanding craftsmanship involved in one of the most mesmerizing animated films I have ever seen, in conjunction with a complex and invigorating narrative present one of the most intriguing films I have seen this year. Its a little to intricate for my liking, and although I dont believe I fully understand its vision, I really appreciate the work and passion put behind its creation.

8.5/10.

One of the darkest, creepiest & genuinely unnerving films to grace the medium of animation, The Wolf House (La casa lobo) is a powerhouse of endless imagination, persevering vision & top-notch execution that employs its stop-motion animation technique in ways that's equally unique & nightmarish, and offers a cinematic ride that's as surreal as it is disquieting.

Directed by Christobal León & Joaquín Cocina, the story takes its inspiration from an infamous & disturbing slice of Chilean history and unfolds like a fairy tale. But if one isn't familiar with the historical context in play here, then events may seem confusing & frustrating. Still, the uneasy vibe & foreboding aura this chiller brims with ultimately makes sure that the viewers don't leave the scene.

The most impressive thing about this Chilean horror is the stop-motion animation itself. The set pieces & characters constantly deconstruct, reconstruct & transform while the camera remains in perpetual motion, thus giving the film an appearance of a single take perspective. The visuals are distinct & uncanny to look at and with further assistance from its haunting soundscapes, it amplifies the film's dreamlike, vivid quality.

Overall, The Wolf House is no doubt an impressive feat of animation filmmaking as it renders its scenes in ways that's simultaneously fresh & freakish and blends true life, propaganda & fairy tale into a wicked tool for indoctrination. But it can also be overwhelming for some as there's plenty to unpack & absorb here, given its multitudes of layers & ever changing visuals. In short, this Chilean horror will fare better with arthouse enthusiasts than mainstream filmgoers.