"The Rat Catcher" Review

Wes Anderson is a renowned film director and writer, known for his eccentric, unique, and unconventional visuals in his artwork. Anderson has been nominated for countless awards, ranging from Golden Globes, BAFTA and Guild Awards. He has deservedly won select awards, such as Best Original Screenplay and Best Director for The Grand Budapest Hotel in 2014 and 2015.

Recent trends on various media (TikTok, Instagram) have shown people creating their own short films in “Wes Anderson style." This trend has shown people viewing Anderson’s work as a distinct color and camera blocking similar to “The French Dispatch." However, Anderson has recently claimed that he believes his artwork doesn’t have an aesthetic or a set style, and he has recently shown his diverse style.

Netflix has released four short films by Anderson, each in a unique style, exemplifying Anderson’s claim that he is diverse. “The Rat Catcher” is a short film that is an adaptation of a classic story by Ronald Dahl. This style of short film is a combination of “The Swan” and “Fantastic Mr. Fox," demonstrating the compelling work of Anderson.

In “The Rat Catcher” there is a sinister and interesting vibe throughout the entire 17 minutes. The audience is at the edge of their seats in intrigue and fear. The viewers are also greatly utilizing their imagination throughout the entire short, as some of the props are invisible and imaginary. There is unpredictable scenery change, in both the visual backgrounds and also the costumes of the main characters.

Anderson has demonstrated how impressive and idiosyncratic his film work is, setting him apart from other directors and writers. “The Rat Catcher” is a must-watch for all viewers, as it is extremely intriguing, captivating and engrossing.

Grace Bowman is a third-year majoring in biology and minoring in psychological sciences. To contact her, email gab5585@psu.edu