Watch Kids' Reviews of
UNDER THE BED

What to know: Entertaining with an unforeseen surprise ending.
UNDER THE BED is in the KIDS FIRST! Film Festival - it may not be a regular, endorsed title
Recommended age 5-12
1 minutes
VIDEO
JEREMY SLADDIN
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UNDER THE BED cover image
I love the short animated film, Under The Bed. The story is entertaining and I love the unforeseen surprise ending.

The storyline follows a little boy who is scared of what lurks under his bed, but when he asks his parents to check and turn off the light...

The story is entertaining and relatable -- from the fear of what is under his bed to the common "there's nothing there" response from the parents. The animation style is cartoony with the thick lines and soft colors. I also enjoy the animated life like objects such as the boy's bed and toys in the background. The boy's attire is a classic blue button-up collared pajama top, which makes it easy for kids to relate to because most kids have seen PJ's like this before. The setting in the boy's bedroom is wonderfully simple as it keeps the viewer engaged on the narrator. The background music is very non-intrusive. The squeaking of the cupboard door leaves the viewer full of anticipation. It is clear that there is an anxious boy in the bed. The quick editing and the narrator's last lines really add to the overall impact of the film. The final few seconds showing the boy's reaction and the cupboard mysteriously opening will stick with me long after this review is over.

The film's message is that parents don't always make things better.

I give Under The Bed 4.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 12, plus adults. By Madeleine K., KIDS FIRST!

I love the short animated film, Under The Bed. The story is entertaining and I love the unforeseen surprise ending.

The storyline follows a little boy who is scared of what lurks under his bed, but when he asks his parents to check and turn off the light...

The story is entertaining and relatable -- from the fear of what is under his bed to the common "there's nothing there" response from the parents. The animation style is cartoony with the thick lines and soft colors. I also enjoy the animated life like objects such as the boy's bed and toys in the background. The boy's attire is a classic blue button-up collared pajama top, which makes it easy for kids to relate to because most kids have seen PJ's like this before. The setting in the boy's bedroom is wonderfully simple as it keeps the viewer engaged on the narrator. The background music is very non-intrusive. The squeaking of the cupboard door leaves the viewer full of anticipation. It is clear that there is an anxious boy in the bed. The quick editing and the narrator's last lines really add to the overall impact of the film. The final few seconds showing the boy's reaction and the cupboard mysteriously opening will stick with me long after this review is over.

The film's message is that parents don't always make things better.

I give Under The Bed 4.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 12, plus adults. By Madeleine K., KIDS FIRST!

Described by its director Jeremy Sladdin as "not your normal bedtime story", UNDER THE BED is a cheeky short with a spooky twist that is sure to appeal to kids (and big kids!) everywhere. Told entirely in verse, this one minute film explores the age old question of what might be lurking in the dark when the bedroom light goes out. Its distinctive visual style brings together traditional hand drawn animation, miniatures and modern digital techniques.
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