Get ready to have your floorboards creak with fear—Paramount Pictures and Walter Hamada’s 18hz have just snagged the rights to The Littles, a spine-chilling stop-motion horror short from the mind of Andrew Duplessie, the bestselling author and producer behind American Horror Stories. But here’s where it gets controversial: Can a short film that blends live-action with stop-motion animation truly redefine the horror genre? Only time will tell, but Duplessie is already expanding this eerie tale into a full-length feature, and fans are buzzing with anticipation.
Written, directed, and produced by Duplessie, The Littles made its debut at New York Comic Con to a packed house, with rising star Violet McGraw in attendance. The story centers on 11-year-old Juliet, whose innocent stubbed toe on a loose floorboard unleashes a chain of terrifying, otherworldly events. As she digs deeper, Juliet discovers secrets hidden within her home that will forever change her reality. And this is the part most people miss: It’s not just about the scares—it’s about the seamless blend of stop-motion animation, courtesy of The Nightmare Before Christmas veteran Anthony Scott, with live-action elements, creating a uniquely haunting experience.
The short also features Janel Parrish (Pretty Little Liars) and Dominic Sherwood (Shadowhunters), adding star power to an already captivating project. In a statement to Deadline, Duplessie shared his excitement: ‘Partnering with 18hz to bring The Littles to life as a feature is a dream come true. Walter and Nick are true horror aficionados who instantly grasped the project’s potential. I’ve always been fascinated by stop-motion, especially when paired with horror, and the response to the short has been incredibly inspiring. I can’t wait to expand this universe and reveal what lurks beneath everyone’s floorboards.’
Duplessie’s journey is as fascinating as his work. A filmmaker, author, and tech entrepreneur, he first gained attention by posting stories on Instagram, eventually going viral with ‘Mystery Dog,’ which has racked up over 100 million YouTube views. His debut novel, Too Scared to Sleep, was snapped up by HarperCollins and Warner Bros., landing on bestseller lists at Barnes & Noble and Amazon. Represented by Anonymous Content and attorney Miles Metcoff of Yorn, Levine, Barnes, Duplessie is a creative force to watch.
Meanwhile, 18hz, fresh off renewing its production deal with Paramount, is gearing up for the January 9 release of its horror film Primate, directed by Johannes Roberts. With a slate that includes an untitled André Øvredal project, Familiar by Caye Casas, and Suffer Little Children by Rodrigue Huart, Hamada’s company is cementing its place in the horror world. Formerly DC Films’ chief and New Line Production’s EVP, Hamada signed with Paramount in November 2022, bringing his expertise to projects like It and The Batman. Here’s a thought-provoking question for you: As horror continues to evolve, will stop-motion animation become the next big trend, or is it a niche that only a few can master? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—we’d love to hear your take on this chilling new direction in filmmaking.
