Canis – Marc Riba & Anna Solanas Deliver a Visceral Masterwork of Stop-Motion Horror

Few stop-motion films confront fear with the rawness and brutality of Canis (2013), the haunting short from Spanish filmmakers Marc Riba & Anna Solanas. Produced at their Barcelona-based studio I+G Stop Motion, the film stands as one of the most disturbing and emotionally charged pieces of puppet animation in the last decade—a stark reminder that stop-motion can be just as violent, existential, and unsettling as any live-action horror.

A Story of Isolation and Animal Instincts

Canis follows Teo, a young boy living alone in a small house surrounded by an endless pack of feral dogs. The strays are relentless—circling, clawing, waiting for any chance to break in. Inside, Teo clings to the few comforting rituals he has left while living in constant fear. Survival becomes a daily ritual, and innocence dissolves quickly in the face of unending dread.

While the narrative is simple on the surface, the film’s power comes from its thematic depth. Riba and Solanas explore what it means to be pushed to the limits of humanity—how fear shapes a person, how survival instinct can mutate, and how isolation erodes the boundary between man and beast. Some festivals described Canis as a story about “finding reasons to fight” in a world where hope is nearly extinguished.

A Striking Visual Language

The directors employ a harsh, desaturated visual palette—often nearly black-and-white—that amplifies the hopelessness of Teo’s world. Every frame is tactile and unsettling. The puppets, made of balsa wood, wire, and fabric, have a rough, handmade quality that adds to the film’s discomforting energy. The stray dogs, in particular, feel raw and threatening, emphasizing the filmmakers’ commitment to conveying danger through texture and movement.

The cinematography by Anna Molins heightens this oppressive atmosphere with sharp contrast, tight framing, and shadows that seem to swallow the characters whole. Composer Aleix Pitarch reinforces the tension with a score built around unease, silence, and sharp sonic punctuation.

Built by Hand Over 15 Months

The production of Canis was a painstaking process. According to interviews and festival materials, the film required approximately 15 months to create—every puppet, set, and prop handcrafted by the I+G Stop Motion team. While Riba & Solanas have long been known for pushing into darker thematic territory, Canis represents one of their most ambitious technical undertakings.

The film’s intricate sets—made to feel claustrophobic, decayed, and worn—play a central role in the storytelling. The house becomes a character itself: a fortress, a prison, and a crumbling barrier between Teo and the feral world outside.

Festival Presence & Legacy

Premiering in 2013, Canis was featured in numerous festival programs around the world, including horror-themed blocks like HORROR 3 – Blood!!! at Animafest Zagreb. Its reputation has grown steadily since, especially within the stop-motion community, where it is frequently cited as an example of how the medium can powerfully portray themes of trauma, fear, and psychological decay.

A Brutal, Unforgettable Experience

Canis is not a comfortable film—and that is what makes it exceptional. The brutality is never gratuitous; instead, it reflects a world stripped down to its most primal rules. Riba and Solanas deliver an experience that lingers long after the credits roll. It is honest, disturbing, and emotionally uncompromising—proof that stop-motion can capture the darkest corners of human experience with devastating clarity.

For fans of the medium, Canis remains essential viewing: a benchmark of how far puppet animation can go and a testament to the artists willing to push it there.