

A rag doll fights a monster that has been stealing the souls of his people.
Direction
Acker's student film that launched a feature deal
Visual Effects
CGI that looks ancient, weathered, and deeply felt
Sound
No words needed — every breath tells the story

Director
Shane Acker
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Tim Burton saw this and basically said 'I need this longer' — the 2009 feature expansion kept the original's soul-crunching energy.
The numbered dolls represent humanity's fragments after annihilation; 9 arrives last not by accident but as completion.