The Little Stranger: A weirdly sad duck story

Is it worth your time?

If you like old-school animation that feels a bit handmade and don't mind a story that cuts right to the bone, sure. It’s a short watch. If you’re looking for something lighthearted for a Saturday morning, maybe skip it. It’s a bit of a downer.

The whole thing starts with a simple mistake—an egg in the wrong nest. We’ve all seen this setup before, but there’s a weird tension in the way the little guy tries to swim and just... sinks. It’s not funny, it’s just awkward.

The animation style reminded me a little bit of the gritty feeling you get in The Blood Ship, even though they are completely different worlds. There’s that same sense that something is just a little bit off with the scenery.

The boat scene

Watching the chick build that tiny boat is the weirdest part of the whole movie. He’s so determined. It’s almost too much effort for a bird, you know? It made me think of the characters in Discontented Cowboys, just trying to carve out a life in a place that clearly doesn't want them there.

Then the hawk shows up. I wasn't expecting it to go that dark that fast. It just happens, and then the movie is basically over. No big resolution, no grand speech about being yourself. Just a hawk, a boat, and a lot of feelings.

It’s not perfect. The pacing is a bit jumpy, and the characters don't have much to say, but honestly? It’s better than most over-produced stuff out there. It feels like someone actually sat down and drew it because they felt like it, not because a studio told them to.

• That one scene where he tries to quack is genuinely painful to watch.
• The background art is surprisingly moody.
• I still don't know why the hawk had to be so aggressive.
• It's the kind of short that stays in your head for an hour after it ends, for no good reason.

If you have ten minutes, watch it. Just don't expect a happy ending. 🦆