October is the perfect time for discovering dark and compelling fables, and The Wolves Are All Gone, a striking horror animation from Leslie Pulsifer, is an ideal find for the season. The short film, available on YouTube, tells a dark, allegorical tale of a village, its lupine neighbours, and a charismatic stranger who brings only ruin..
The short film “The Wolves Are All Gone” is the creation of the multi-talented artist Leslie Pulsifer. The project began as a series of three viral Instagram reels, and thanks to the support of her patrons, Pulsifer was able to compile them into a single, complete story for YouTube. This origin explains the distinctive vertical format, with the entire narrative unfolding in a central strip, cleverly framed for mobile viewing.
The story is a dark fairy tale set in a village deep within a forest where humans and wolves coexist in a long-held peace. This harmony is shattered by the arrival of an outsider who, with captivating charm, begins to sow seeds of doubt and fear. He persuades the villagers that the wolves are a danger that must be eliminated. The animation masterfully builds a sense of dread as the villagers debate their course of action.
Pulsifer’s stylised, paper-craft animation lends the film a unique, storybook quality that contrasts sharply with its grim narrative. The sombre tone of the visuals is perfectly complemented by the haunting musical score, which was also composed by Pulsifer herself. The story asks a powerful question: once you listen to the voices of fear and drive out the wild things, what truly have you lost? The consequences for the village are not what the charismatic stranger promised.
For those wishing to support this independent creator, Leslie Pulsifer maintains a Patreon page, which she credits for making the full YouTube version of the film possible.
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