Anima (2019): Cast & Ratings
Anima is a 2019 short music film directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, starring Thom Yorke as Thom Yorke and Dajana Roncione. It runs 15 minutes. IMDb users rate it 7.6/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 15 min
- Director
- Paul Thomas Anderson
- Original language
-
Chinese
- Studio
- Netflix
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Anima About?
The premise of Anima without spoilers.
In the remote, frozen wilderness of Muirdauga, a young hunter's accidental encounter with a hibernating bear triggers a series of devastating events. His fall into the bear's lair leads to shame and isolation for his family. When his brother is forced to kill the creature, their peaceful world begins to unravel, and a profound sense of guilt descends upon the tribe, forever altering their way of life.
Anima Themes & Keywords
· 13 tags- dance
- dancing
- tram
- musical short
- original score
- music video
- song and dance
- train
- dystopia
- passenger
- flash mob
- interpretive dance
+1 more Show fewer
- dance choreography
Anima Cast & Characters
Thom Yorke leads the cast as Thom Yorke, with Dajana Roncione as Featured Performer. Directed by Paul Thomas Anderson.
-
Director Paul Thomas Anderson
-
Thom Yorke as Thom Yorke -
Dajana Roncione as Featured Performer
Anima Reviews & Ratings
IMDb users rate Anima 7.6/10. Our Echo Score gives it 84/100, strongest in sensory experience (92) and weakest in story & flow (60).
Anima Echo Score Breakdown
As a short visual piece, Anima excels in sensory and artistic expression while offering a more uneven narrative flow. Multiple reviewers highlight the compelling cinematography and the seamless integration of Thom Yorke’s score with choreography as its driving force. However, few critiques point to pacing that feels stretched beyond its substantive core and occasional detachment in character dynamics. The film balances striking audiovisual craftsmanship against a lean story structure. In net, Anima stands out for its immersive style and emotive resonance.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 88
In terms of art and craft, Anima delivers a striking visual palette and inventive production design. Reviewers consistently praise the bold cinematography and confident framing, though a few note moments of generic imagery. The directional choices underscore the film’s experimental spirit, with choreography integrated seamlessly into camera movement. Overall, the artistic execution is compelling.
- Character & Emotion 75
When it comes to character and emotion, Anima offers subtle yet affecting performances. Thom Yorke’s nuanced portrayal conveys introspection, while supporting figures add rhythmic chemistry through movement. Several viewers describe a potent emotional undercurrent, though some feel the minimal narrative hinders deeper connection with the characters. Ultimately, the film balances expressive gesture with emotional restraint to notable effect.
- Story & Flow 60
In terms of story and flow, reactions range from admiration for its dreamlike structure to criticism of uneven pacing. While some appreciate the unconventional narrative that unfolds on a dystopian train, others find the fifteen-minute span overstretched and lacking clear dramatic stakes. The originality of the concept is widely acknowledged, even if engagement fluctuates. On balance, the film’s flow is inventive but occasionally meandering.
- Sensory Experience 92
In terms of sensory experience, Anima excels with a forceful score and immersive sound design that drive its rhythmic pulse. Multiple accounts underscore the propulsive Thom Yorke compositions and the seamless fusion of music with visual movement. The cohesive visual style uses muted tones and sharp contrasts to heighten emotional impact. Overall, the sensory landscape is dynamic and deeply engaging.
- Rewatch Factor 90
In terms of rewatch value, Anima demonstrates strong lasting appeal through its layered choreography and musical integration. Enthusiastic viewers express willingness to revisit for further discovery, citing nuanced visual details and evolving emotional resonance. While a minority feel the piece loses momentum on repeat viewings, the majority highlight its capacity to reveal new subtleties. The overall replay value remains high due to its rich audiovisual textures.
-
IMDb 7.6 /10
See on IMDb -
TMDB 73% User score
See on TMDB -
Letterboxd 4.0 /5
207 ratings
See on Letterboxd
Anima Trailers & Videos
The teaser of Anima.
Seen Anima?
Movies Like Anima
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Bear-Night-Mare, Inu-oh and Mavka: The Forest Song.
Articles About Anima
Our article about Anima: “The Art of the Short Film: Crafting Stories in a Limited Time”.
-
Cinema
Anima FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast, ratings, post-credit scenes and language of Anima, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Anima?
Anima runs 15 minutes.
When was Anima released?
Anima was released on June 26, 2019.
Who directed Anima?
Anima was directed by Paul Thomas Anderson.
More films by Paul Thomas Anderson Who is in the cast of Anima?
Anima stars Thom Yorke as Thom Yorke and Dajana Roncione as Featured Performer.
How is Anima rated?
Anima has 7.6/10 on IMDb, 73% on TMDB and 4.0/5 on Letterboxd.
Does Anima have a post-credit scene?
No. Anima has no extra scene during or after the credits.
What language is Anima in?
The original language of Anima is Chinese.
Coming soon to your phone
The Plot Explained Movie Summary App
From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.
Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app
