‘I Am Frankelda’ Review – A Stop-Motion Spectacle Worthy Of Admiration

Synopsis: In 19th-century Mexico, Frankelda is a gifted writer whose dark tales are ignored and dismissed. Forced to suppress her voice, she refuses to give up, even as many try to silence her. But when she is thrust into her subconscious, the very monsters she created come to life. Guided by Herneval, a tormented prince trapped between dreams and nightmares, she must restore balance between fiction and reality before both realms collapse. Meanwhile, the sinister writer Procustes and his conspirators plot to seize control. As Frankelda and Herneval grow closer, their bond becomes both a strength and a curse. To rewrite their fate, she must confront a love that defies existence and reclaim her power as a storyteller—before dark forces consume her imagination and reveal horrors beyond her creation.

Never be afraid to be yourself; there’s no need for everyone to be the same. In a not-so-distant past, we lived in a society and culture that craved originality and thrived on authenticity. However, sometime in the last decade, an unfortunate shift happened. Expressive architecture is now a barrage of rectangles. Even imagination is being considered counterproductive. Our world of color and whimsy is being traded in for a beige square with an AI-powered personality. Despite what’s been spewed over the past few years, diversity is a strength, different is cool, and conformity remains a colorless comfort. You can stay and play inside the homogeneous box that’s run on fear and hate; the rest of us weirdos will be outside where fun and enlightenment reside.

“Whenever you write or draw, your soul is ink.”

As creativity is being stolen and stifled while conformity is being rewarded, be like Frankelda and Herneval and fight back. Don’t be a Procustes. Written and directed by Arturo and Roy Ambriz, I Am Frankelda is a stop-motion spectacle worthy of admiration. Impressing with its supernatural ingenuity, creative characters, and classical storytelling, it’s cinema the whole family can enjoy. As two worlds collide, this tune-filled tale delivers terrors, tragedy, and heartbreak to shake its foundation. In this against-all-odds epic, only bravery, trust, love, and a little trickery will save the day. Or does it? With themes and topics that teach, inspire, and can translate into practical use, this may become an instant classic for many.

I know you’re probably wondering: how does it fare against other stop-motion favorites? Well, fortunately, it nestles comfortably adjacent to movies like The Nightmare Before Christmas and Wendell & Wild. Like its counterparts, I Am Frankelda is a feature led by terrors without being terrifying, has at least one memorable song, and harbors unique layered characters you can build a world around. Taking place predominantly in the 1870s, this prequel to Frankelda’s Book of Spooks is a story of righteous defiance. Seemingly inspired by Mary Shelley, young Francisca Imelda is an aspiring writer of stories that society and those closest to her deem unbecoming of a young lady.

“There’s a balance between the two realms, and it’s our duty to protect it.”

Nevertheless, her rebellious spirit and true calling lead her to a brilliant idea and a future she could never have expected. Little does she know that in another realm, the young Prince of the Spooks Kingdom, named Herneval, is determined to stop his reality from deteriorating into nonexistence, even if that means breaking the number-one rule: crossing into the realm of humans. At the center of all the chaos is the royal Nightmare writer, a giant spider creature named Procustes. Not only is he responsible for the balance of the realms, but he can be the cause of their destruction as well. His hubris, envy of the crown, and unwillingness to adapt to change could be the collapse of everything. However, Procustes and Herneval both know something that Frankelda doesn’t: her stories could be the answer to all their problems. What methodically and vibrantly unfolds into a story of sabotage, overcoming betrayal, and heroics with a sprinkle of romance, becomes the precursor to what looks like war.

Anchored by a beautifully balanced, character-driven narrative, thematically resonant writing, and world-class stop-motion craftsmanship, I Am Frankelda easily ranks among the year’s finest animated features. Its score paired with its various characters and world-building makes the film feel vast. Its themes of truth through fiction, trust, and self-confidence, to name a few, are a positive for the younger audience. Furthermore, its execution and nuance will be appreciated by the adults. While some aspects of the film feel abrupt and parts of the story unfinished, that doesn’t completely take away or pull focus from the finished product. As we’re left with a myriad of questions after its open-ended conclusion, it seems as if there could be a sequel to follow. Watch with the volume up in a dark room to get the full experience. Its rewatchability is high.

Pace & Pop

As the film builds an expansive world and introduces a plethora of characters and sects, the pacing is rather measured. Aiming for a highly detailed, fully understood narrative, it allows for excellent exposition as the story takes its time while still offering excitement at every turn. What really pops is the animation style. The colors used and the style in which the characters and world are crafted feel akin to 80s fantasy. It’s simultaneously beautiful and nightmarish.

Characters & Chemistry

Cast: Mireya Mendoza, Arturo Mercado Jr., Luis Leonardo Suarez

Mireya Mendoza and Arturo Mercado Jr. deliver incredibly impassioned performances as Frankelda and Herneval, respectively. Initially, the adult Frankelda is frustrating to watch as she is easily manipulated. However, once you think about the people in the world around us and her traumatic journey, you can gather some understanding. Is she a reflection of the current state of the masses? Herneval is a natural leader. He’s a creative and strategic thinker who leads with duty and respect, but he underestimates those who oppose him. Now, Procustes Luis Leonardo Suarez), our antagonist, is diabolical through and through. Representing the old ways and traditions, unable to evolve, he runs on jealousy. He’d rather place blame, manipulate, and attack than look inward or adapt to changing times and a changing audience. As ideas and ideals clash in a dimension of terrors and trickery, is the end really the end?

I Am Frankelda hits select theaters and premieres on Netflix on June 12, 2026. Stay safe and stay woke.

Rated: PG Runtime: 1h 44m Language: Spanish Directors: Arturo Ambriz, Roy Ambriz Writers: Arturo Ambriz, Roy Ambriz Producers: Arturo Ambriz, Roy Ambriz Production Design: Ana Coronilla, Bruce Zick Animation Director: Beto Petiches Directors of Photography: Irene Melis, Fernanda G. Manzur Score: Kevin Smithers