Spoiler Alert: This summary and review contains spoilers.

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“Inkwo for When the Starving Return” Film Details

Runtime: 18 Minutes
Release Date: January 30, 2025
Initially Available On/Via: Film Festival – Sundance
Advisory Film Rating: Not Rated
Genre(s): Action, Fantasy, Young Adult, LGBT+, Animation
Director(s): Amanda Strong
Writer(s): Bracken Hanuse Corlett, Richard Van Camp, Amanda Strong
Based On Work By: Richard Van Camp (Wheetago War)

Summary

For all their life, Dove was told about these ancient beings, these humans who transformed, mutated, into flesh-eating beasts. They were sealed away generations ago, but with all the drilling, digging, and excavating of the Earth, the once entombed monsters are back, and Dove will have to ally with nature to defeat them.

Character Descriptions

Dove (Paulina Alexis)

Dove is a non-binary young person, an outcast from their village, but that allows them to not be easily swayed. This seemingly will be of use as she has to face forces not of this world, and make allies of those humans may not see as their go to partners in war.

• The actor is also known for their role in “Reservation Dogs: Season 1.”

Review

Characters

• Dove Makes For A Compelling Lead As They Go From Child To Early Adulthood

World-Building & Culture

• The Indigenous Culture Of Dove Brings Intrigue, Especially In A World Dealing With Some Kind Of Mutant Zombie

Story & Pacing

• With Good Establishment Of Our Hero, Their Foes, And Those Who Also Are At War With Those Who Crave Flesh, The Story Easily Engages You. Add In The Idea That Digging Up The Earth Led To The Monsters’ Rebirth, It Adds A Touch Of A Horror Element.

Diverse Hooks & (Re)Watch Value

• Because Of The Art Style, There Is A Weird Sense Of Nostalgia While Watching, Like You’re Seeing Something From The 80s Or 90s With Modern Technology Or Techniques
• Easily You Can Imagine This Being Expanded Into A Television Series

Other Noteworthy Information

• At Times, The Voice Acting Gets A Little Awkward

Overall

Our Rating (81/100): Positive (Worth Seeing)

With many movies and animes focused on European gods and mysticism, the idea and the desire for others to get their due is strong. Now, it isn’t clear if “Inkwo for When the Starving Return” would dive deep into the gods of Dove’s culture. However, the sense that Indigenous people protect, defend, and hold sacred the Earth for they know there are monsters buried deep beneath the crust? That’s a hook right there.

Imagine the way “Inkwo for When the Starving Return” could, as a series, interweave not only Dove being non-binary, potentially two spirit, while either being a conglomerate or focused on the culture of any single Indigenous nation. While it could be seen as potentially exploitative, considering how much animation, media in general, is usually the entryway to highlighting a culture and bringing its people to the forefront, as Alexis’ past role in “Reservation Dogs” did, “Inkwo for When the Starving Return” feel like not only the next step but a necessary one.

Content Information

• Dialog: N/A
• Violence: Violence Against Animals, Blood, Notable Fight Scenes
• Sexual Content: N/A
• Miscellaneous: Depiction of Corpses, Body Horror

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External Links

• “Inkwo for When the Starving Return” Sundance Page