Death Does Not Exist is a new Canadian-French animated drama written & directed by Félix Dufour-Laperrière. The voice cast includes Karelle Tremblay, Barbara Ulrich, Zeneb Blanchet, Mattis Savard-Verhoeven and Irène Dufour. After a failed armed attack on wealthy landowners, Hélène abandons her companions and flees into the forest. Manon, one of her friends and accomplices, returns to haunt her. Hélène must revisit her convictions and choices, in a valley where metamorphoses and great upheavals disrupt the natural order of things.

While I may not be physically in France right now, I am able to screen a series of different films premiering at this year’s film festival. Death Does Not Exist is the first film I am screening and reviewing. What a way to start the festival with this film. I knew nothing about it beforehand. I didn’t know what it was about nor did I know it would be animated. Given the title of the film, the last thing I expected was animation. I personally love film festivals as it is the perfect opportunity to see a film without any expectations. With that being said, I found the film to be unique and meaningful.

I am not familiar with Félix Dufour-Laperrière’s work, but I will be going forward. The filmmaker appears to be a pro with the specific animation medium he is working with. As someone who has watched thousands of films, it amazes me how I can still be surprised by watching something I have never seen before. Dufour-Laperrière stands out loud with his work here that makes the film one that demands to be seen.

Given how I didn’t know what the film was about beforehand, I was certainly shocked as to what was happening within the film’s opening minutes. As mentioned, I didn’t know this was going to be animated, so when we are introduced to the colors & style, I was completely engrossed as to what I was watching. It has a nice way of bringing you into this world. Almost immediately, there’s an inciting incident that hooked me. It was such an intense & shocking scene that helps catapult the story forward.

This opening scene also has this incredible score that maintains its grand quality throughout, giving me inspiration to make a top 10 scores of the year and adding this one to the list. The film is intentional from the story to the animation, but it can lack in motivation. As we learn the motivation throughout, the beginning starts to make more sense. For that, I will credit the film for not only making me want to watch it again, but to also pay attention to more details that I may have missed.

The way this film works reminds me a lot of the way I was introduced to Studio Ghibli’s films. I am in no means comparing the two, just my experiences with both. Like Studio Ghibli, I found this film to be thematically rich beyond my wildest dreams. It’s dark, which works for the given title name. It goes to places that require a mature mindset. I don’t think you will fully understand it the first time around. I personally love films like that that challenge the viewer. Just when you think you understand it, the film continues to challenge you even more.

At a brisk 72 minutes including credits, the film maintains its pacing by adding in plenty of material. While I loved the opening, I also wish we got to see more of this world beforehand and understand the character’s motivations a little better. The film has some other vague components of the story that I think could have been further explored. Then again, I love how the filmmaker makes these daring choices that allows the viewers to think on what they saw. For that, Dufour-Laperrière might just be one of the most unique voices working in the industry today.

Finally, in order for this film to work, the film has to be completely intentional with the dialogue. The film is perfectly set with the minimal dialogue as it makes every word feel earned and meaningful. It’s a film that captures the eye visually, but also sustains its quality through dialogue that makes you ponder even further.

Overall, what a way to start the 2025 Cannes Film Festival with Death Does Not Exist. It is, undoubtedly, one of the most unique films I have seen so far this year. It’s a film that requires 100% of your attention and rewards for it. Director & writer Félix Dufour-Laperrière shows interest in stimulating the human mind for its viewers. If you have the opportunity to see this when it becomes more widely available, I highly recommend you check this one out.

VERDICT: 4/5 (Great)