'Dolores' (2024) Film Review: Mexican Stop-Motion Dark Fable Released Online

There is a quality I have always deeply valued in a stop-motion film: honesty in the staging and movement of animated objects, and 'Dolores' embodies it in a formidable way. In this film by Cecilia Andalón Delgadillo (2024, production: Universidad de Guadalajara - Taller del Chucho), we are drawn into what could be described as a somewhat dark, traditional-style Mexican fable. The influence of the renowned Guadalajara School of Animation is clearly present, yet thoughtful, deliberate details make this film unusual and give it a voice all its own. Its atmosphere is gentler, less stark or foreboding than the worlds crafted by filmmakers such as Rita Basurto or Luis Téllez. However, it carries some nods to René Castillo and his internationally celebrated, award-winning 'Hasta los huesos' (Down to the Bone). The film takes a conscious distance, putting forward something authentically her own; something befitting an artist who displays her talent while still discovering and defining her own expressive style. 

'Dolores' dares to be different without resorting to shock or excess, and it remains unflinchingly sincere, never softening or sweetening its themes to make them easier to swallow. It stands as a bold, hopeful declaration: that Mexican stop-motion is moving toward fresh, vibrant horizons—just as we have seen with the extraordinarily talented Ambriz brothers behind 'Cinema Fantasma', who have already blazed such inspiring trails, for example with 'I am Frankelda'. 

The story follows its young namesake, Dolores, as she persuades her friends to join her at a forbidden place. What begins as a reckless adventure turns tragic when an accident occurs: her friends flee in fear. Dolores tries to escape and falls into a deep well, an ancient, forgotten grave that opens directly onto the underworld. There, she is met by two Calacas, lively skeletal spirits who do everything in their power to charm her and keep her with them forever. Her only ally is a tiny, brave armadillo who does all he can to help her find a way out; yet for all his efforts, it seems as though her fate may already have been sealed. This fable lingers in the mind, inviting us to pause and think deeply before we choose to cross the line into forbidden places. 

The narrative draws its lifeblood from the history, folklore, and rich cultural heritage of western Mexico -the states of Jalisco, Nayarit, and Colima-, lands where the ancient “shaft tombs” gave rise to a profound and distinctive worldview among the pre-Hispanic peoples who lived there. These deep, carefully excavated chambers were built not merely as resting places, but as spiritual gateways between the living and the dead: sacred liminal spaces through which generations understood life and death. 

In purely technical terms, the film is not without small imperfections, yet it is filled with moments of genuine brilliance and confident craft. The sets are rich with texture, and the lighting evokes a soft, lingering melancholy. The short film unfolds purposefully, pausing to let us relish memorable sequences, most notably a sweeping, full 360-degree shot as the Calacas welcome Dolores to their realm. The choice of materials, the texture of every figure, and the attention to detail speak volumes about the painstaking labor and devotion of the entire team involved. Every element in the film weaves together seamlessly to capture and hold the attention of viewers and critics alike. 'Dolores' has traveled the international festival circuit, earning awards (including Best Animated Short Film at Taxco Film Fest, Guerrero, Mexico). 

'Dolores' is an artistic work that stirred me from its very first frames, holding me completely captivated to see where its story would lead. I was intrigued by every turn, surprised by how it unfolded, and left amazed by its conclusion. It is a noteworthy debut for its director and a promising sign of what the next generation will bring to Mexican stop-motion animation. 

Watch 'Dolores'

by Kropka