The style of animation used here is very effective and has a gritty, rough quality. I must say that overall, I am really impressed. With a running time of nine minutes, there is quite a bit being set up and established. The story sucks viewers in, and the set up is eerie. The undertaker, or death, visits a small town and sparks a mass panic that spirals into a dark commentary on religion and other ways that people attempt to explain or escape death. From the beginning all the way through to the end, the short had me hooked. The characters experience a lot both physically and spiritually, which is difficult to achieve in a full length feature not to mention nine minutes. The grim ending, in particular, is creepy and unsettling. Having viewed many films, I haven't felt this unnerved since watching the 2008 vampire film "Let the Right One In." This is smart, entertaining, gripping, and also horrific. Don't hesitate to check this one out for yourself.
Review of The Backwater Gospel
