Animated film

Death Does Not Exist (2025): Cast & Ratings

Name: Death Does Not Exist
Genre: Animation
Released: 2025-05-15
Duration: 1 h 12 min
Cast: Zeneb Blanchet, Karelle Tremblay, Barbara Ulrich, Mattis Savard-Verhoeven, Félix Dufour-Laperrière

Death Does Not Exist (2025) movie poster

Death Does Not Exist is a 2025 animated film starring Zeneb Blanchet as Hélène, Karelle Tremblay and Barbara Ulrich. It runs 1 hour 12 minutes. IMDb users rate it 5.8/10.

IMDb rating: 5.8/10
Echo Score: 71

Watch the trailer

Released: May 15, 2025
Runtime: 1h 12m (72 min)
Genre: Animation
Original language: French
Studio: Miyu Productions
After the credits: No No extra scene

The story

What Is Death Does Not Exist About?

The premise of Death Does Not Exist without spoilers.

Following a failed attack and abandoning her group, Hélène escapes into the forest where she encounters Catherine, a mysterious and alluring doppelgänger. This alternate self leads her to a fantastical valley filled with transformations, dangerous abilities, and impending chaos. Hélène must confront the difficult choices she’s made and the moral, political, and personal challenges that surround them.

Cast & crew

Death Does Not Exist Cast & Characters

Zeneb Blanchet leads the cast as Hélène, with Karelle Tremblay as Manon and Barbara Ulrich as The Old Woman.

Zeneb Blanchet as Hélène
Karelle Tremblay as Manon
Barbara Ulrich as The Old Woman
Mattis Savard-Verhoeven as Marc

Also Starring in Death Does Not Exist

· 2 more

Félix Dufour-Laperrière
Irène Dufour The Child

Ratings

Death Does Not Exist Reviews & Ratings

IMDb users rate Death Does Not Exist 5.8/10. Our Echo Score gives it 71/100, strongest in art & craft (90) and weakest in story & flow (55).

71 /100

Death Does Not Exist Echo Score Breakdown

Death Does Not Exist presents a visually ambitious animated work that divides critical opinion. While its handcrafted imagery, innovative color palette, and evocative score draw consistent praise, the film’s dialogue‑heavy structure and opaque narrative hinder accessibility. Critics commend its experimental direction and thematic ambition, yet note that the story can feel inscrutable and emotionally distant. Consequently, the film stands out for its artistry, but its overall impact is uneven.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

Art & Craft 90

In terms of art and craft, reviewers overwhelmingly highlight the film’s hand‑drawn animation and striking visual design. Critics describe the imagery as stunning, innovative in colour use, and cohesively tied to the film’s thematic goals. Although one reviewer mentions the dialogue detracting from visual immersion, the consensus is that the craftsmanship constitutes the strongest element of the work.
Character & Emotion 65

When evaluating character and emotion, critics note a nuanced yet limited portrayal. Some acknowledge the film’s ability to reveal personality through movement and its thematic resonance, while others point to prescriptive moralizing and shallow emotional depth. The overall impression is a mixed one: the animation provides occasional glimpses of character, but the narrative framework often prevents deeper engagement.
Story & Flow 55

Story and flow receive the most divergent feedback. Reviewers commend the film’s existential ambition and experimental structure, but many criticize its convoluted dialogue, sluggish pacing, and overly inscrutable plot. The narrative is described as both thought‑provoking and exhausting, resulting in an overall assessment that the story’s originality is offset by a lack of coherence and sustained engagement.
Sensory Experience 85

In terms of sensory experience, critics uniformly praise the soundtrack and sound design as complementary to the film’s visual style. The haunting score, nuanced audio textures, and cohesive color scheme are cited as enhancing the dreamlike atmosphere. While a few note that the auditory elements cannot fully compensate for narrative shortcomings, the sensory craftsmanship is regarded as a definitive strength.
Rewatch Factor 60

Rewatch factor is seen as moderate; the film’s visual and auditory innovation invites repeat viewings for those interested in its artistic merits, yet the dense dialogue and opaque narrative may limit broader repeat appeal. Consequently, while some viewers may return for its aesthetic richness, the overall lasting appeal is tempered by story accessibility concerns.