The Devil's Rock - Short Animation Review

The Devil's Rock is a chilling short film by Don't Walk Home Alone After Dark Studios and is about two young women who find themselves out of petrol in the sticks in rural America. When they head towards a farmhouse they are pursued by someone or something. One dies and one remains alive, but for how long? What is it that is pursuing the survivor and will she be able to escape?

This 20 minute short masterfully builds suspense without overplaying its hand. One of its strengths lies in its subtle approach to world-building; it offers a tantalizing glimpse of lore, hinting at a deeper, unsettling history without ever feeling the need to overexplain. This restraint allows the viewer's imagination to fill in the terrifying blanks, making the experience all the more personal and unsettling.

The creatures themselves are a standout element. Their design and behavior strongly suggest a fascinating, if horrifying, possibility: that they are mutant periodical cicadas, emerging from a 17-year maturation cycle. This concept adds a unique, biological horror twist to the supernatural elements, grounding the terror in a disturbing natural phenomenon.

The film's brevity only enhances its impact, leaving a lasting impression and a desire for more, while still delivering a complete, unsettling narrative.