CANNES 2025 | "Death Does Not Exist" Evokes Studio Ghibli Motifs With It's Own Stunning Animation Style
8/12 ForReel Score | 7/10
A group of young people attempt to break into a palace filled with golden statues owned by wealthy individuals in their hometown, but during this act of rebellion, they end up being killed. Only one girl from the group survives, but she begins to be haunted by the ghosts of her friends. Was she a coward? Why didn’t she fight? Death Does Not Exist, directed by Félix Dufour-Laperrière, presents a story about second chances. The protagonist is confronted by various characters who prompt her to reflect on the past, present, and future, showing how a single action can change the course of a life. Through the film, Hélène, our main protagonist, will walk a path with her late friend, Manon, where she’ll learn about the importance of making choices at the right moment, and of course, the significance of bravery during hard times.
Image courtesy of The PR Factory International Film Publicity
The script includes a variety of concepts and themes; some are briefly introduced while others are explored in more depth. One of its key focuses is the idea of second chances and the desire for change. In a conversation between the two characters, Hélène and Manon, the dialogue raises questions about the meaning of death and the infinity of nature through life. As the title suggests, death plays a central role in the film and is represented through animated imagery, with sequences using red, green, and yellow tones that shape the atmosphere of different scenes. The film adopts a dreamlike style, moving fluidly from one moment to another. Influences from classic Studio Ghibli cinema can be noted, particularly in the role that animals and nature play within the story.
The third act brings all the subjects into place and also focuses on the protagonist’s decisions and their consequences, rounding out her journey through animation. This is the moment in the film where the forms and lines of the animation work at their best, as the narrative is carried by sound, minimal dialogue, and more impactful imagery. It is reminiscent of the catastrophe sequences in Ghibli films, using nature as a metaphor for life and our proximity to death. There is also a haunting scene involving an old woman and the main protagonist, where they find their answers in places they did not expect.
Image courtesy of The PR Factory International Film Publicity
The visual style has a strong presence, at times more emphasized than the narrative. The film addresses multiple themes within a limited runtime. The romantic subplot introduced receives less development than other aspects of the main storyline. Additionally, the commentary on nature and natural disasters becomes less prominent compared to the themes of death, loss, and second chances. Some scenes rely heavily on dialogue that explains narrative elements, potentially limiting the viewer’s interpretation. Beyond the third act, the film includes extended conversations that could be seen as detracting from the emotional potential of the animation.
Death Does Not Exist ultimately has a short runtime that may not be used to its full potential. The abundance of literal metaphors, combined with a lack of development, weakens a narrative that aims to address second chances, the state of the world, and the influence of the wealthy. It is a film that stands out for its animation, with a striking use of color that supports both narrative and visual storytelling—particularly in a third act that truly shines.