In an Age of AI Slop, This Hand-Painted Nightmare Cartoon Feels Like a Miracle

Image: Hisko Hulsing

In an era increasingly saturated with soulless, algorithmically generated content, the remedy is undeniably found in the deliberate, human touch of artisanal mastery. Dutch visionary Hisko Hulsing embodies this philosophy perfectly. As a multifaceted creative—director, composer, animator, and painter—Hulsing channels the spirit of a true Renaissance polymath, drawing deep inspiration from the art movements that defined that very period.

His latest project, Danse Macabre, is an evocative animated short set to make its debut on June 22 at the Annecy Film Festival. Choreographed to the haunting second movement of Dmitri Shostakovich’s Tenth Symphony, the film is a monumental achievement in craft, constructed from over 75 hand-painted oil canvases integrated with seamless 2D and CG animation. You can gain insight into his rigorous process by watching the behind-the-scenes featurette. While the newly released teaser is only a minute long, its visual intensity is absolutely arresting.

The “Danse Macabre”—a French term for “Dance of Death”—is a chilling allegory that captured the cultural imagination during the late Middle Ages. Often serving as a grim memento mori in response to sweeping plagues, the motif depicts Death leading a procession of people from all walks of life toward the grave. Hulsing translates this ancient anxiety into a modern apocalyptic vision, featuring skeletal legions descending from the heavens to dismantle the mortal realm. The sequence echoes the harrowing grandeur of Pieter Bruegel the Elder’s The Triumph of Death, masterfully blending historical artistic tradition with a contemporary perspective.

Hulsing’s track record is as impressive as his aesthetic. His portfolio includes serving as the director and production designer for the critically lauded Prime Video sci-fi series Undone, helming the standout The Sandman episode “A Dream of a Thousand Cats,” and creating the multi-award-winning short film Junkyard.

As the creators noted on the project’s YouTube release, the production was an incredibly grueling undertaking, yet they remain confident they have crafted something truly singular: a piece of art that is simultaneously mesmerizing, visceral, and terrifying. After witnessing the trailer, it is difficult to argue otherwise.

Source: Polygon