There's a Man in the Woods

A great, nerve-wracking short that stays with you long after you watched it. A disturbing masterpiece of grounded, real life horror.

This is an absolute masterpiece of a short film and I tend to watch quite a few short films, wether it be for school or for personal enjoyment. This short film I could not commend the writers and animators on enough, it just gives you a feeling that you can't shake off and it practically entrances you to the point you'll want to replay it from the moment it ends- and I for one have watched it several times.

Greatest short film I've ever watched. I've probably watched it 70 times and I still get chills every time. I show it to everyone I've ever met whether they want me to or not hahahaha.

There's a Man in the Woods perfectly ties animation with spoken word. Instead of simply writing a poem then animating it, the two elements clearly depend on one another. Some lines use images to deliver their final punch (the final words say it all); some images need the monologue to convey an emotion.

Another fusion of two elements in There's A Man In The Woods: the narrative. The story cuts between a montage of the past and the mysteries of the present, all through the eyes of the teacher.

If there's any complaint to be made, it's that he doesn't sound exactly middle aged if you think about it. Whilst this is true, it doesn't matter; the pure emotion of the voice actor's performance sells his character. Every line is delivered with an ounce of realism.

The animation is excellent. I've always adored the whole coniferous-trees-and-empty-roads vibe, and this film nails it. The art style explores a range of colours, balancing a large palette with a dark tint. The animation isn't smooth, but it doesn't need to - I'd rather watch a heartfelt hand-drawn film than some flashy Saturday-morning cartoon jazz.

All in all, There's A Man In The Woods is an underrated masterpiece, begging for more attention.

A powerful story about the damage wild rumors can cause-how they create unwarranted fear and destroy the lives or careers of those who don't respond "correctly," even when it's clear the rumors are baseless.

The story is told from the perspective of a schoolteacher, narrated in a retrospective manner. It recounts who started the rumor about a man in the woods and what followed afterward.

I found the story quite relatable, especially in today's world where rumors spread faster and farther than ever thanks to social media. While the film tells an old-school type of story, it's easy to imagine it unfolding in a more modern setting.

The twist was somewhat predictable, but overall, this was a well-made and thoughtful animated short.