-Written by Kyle Bain.
In a dystopian world, a father attempts to console his daughter after the sudden disappearance of her mother. Through charming visuals and an adventurous journey, Where Rabbits Come From attempts to tell a story of family and unconditional love through the eyes of animated rabbits.
The whimsical and charismatic animations of this lop-eared family is charming and inviting–and it reminds me of the 2023 Mitra Shahidi film, Starling. In a unique way these films are coming-of-age stories that intend to separate themselves from the millions of the subgenre that have come before. Where Rabbits Come From is most certainly different, if by nothing more than the simple fact that rabbits are the featured characters throughout the course of this short film. Moreover, I’m not sure that we get a definitive conclusion to this narrative, but we are afforded the opportunity to see the young rabbit grow and become aware of the trials and tribulations that will likely continue to challenge her going forward. That realization is enough to warrant this a coming-of-age film, and, again, while we don’t get a definitive conclusion by the time all is said and done, I think we have the understanding of the direction in which the young protagonist is headed.
This open-ended conclusion is effective in reeling viewers into a touching, yet harrowing story. We are initially intrigued by the visuals, and we’re even willing to stick around because of those visuals, but what keeps us coming back to the film once it’s ended? What makes Where Rabbits Come From appealing beyond its fifteen-minute runtime? It’s that aforementioned open-ended conclusion–the thing that keeps us reeling after the film has faded to black. A masterful decision from the team behind Where Rabbits Come From, and something that has caused me to, again and again, revisit this short animated film.
What I find intriguing about this film is that I didn’t care so much about the story itself, but rather the journey that Writer-Director Colin L. Racicot takes us on. There’s the old adage that says, and I’m paraphrasing here, that the journey is ultimately more important than the destination. In the case of Where Rabbits Come From, that’s absolutely true. The audience is pulled through this short film with astounding vigor, one that doesn’t relent–and keeps us guessing until the film reaches its conclusion. This heart-pounding film relentlessly leans into emotion, developing suspense and intensity that continues to grow from start to finish.
I’ve already mentioned the animation being a contributing factor to Where Rabbits Come From’s ultimate success–but there’s a depth to the animation that one doesn’t always see in animated films. That’s not to say that the massive animation companies that have continued to find success with their films are rudimentary, because that’s certainly not the case–however, Where Rabbits Come From explores animation in a different way, a way that typically evades the mainstream. Developed entirely in black and white, Racicot and his team do a spectacular job of using light and monochrome to create something immersive and equally harrowing. It’s not just the darkness that separates Where Rabbits Come From from other animated films–but the use of light to add literal and metaphorical depth to an already heavy film.
There’s still a part of me that hears “animation” and thinks of films geared toward children. Disney has made a name for itself using animated films to reach a younger audience, and that’s often where my mind goes when I hear this term. It’s unfair for me to pigeonhole the style of filmmaking–as it’s clear through films like Where Rabbits Come From that animation has the ability to extend itself far beyond a younger audience. Where Rabbits Come From covers the challenging topic of losing a parent–and this story in particular focuses on a parent lost to mysterious circumstances. Through the use of stunning visuals and the open-ended conclusion, Where Rabbits Come From effectively tells this story and keeps viewers engaged throughout.
Written & Directed by Colin L. Racicot.
8/10 = WORTH RENTING OR BUYING
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