You are here:

What the Mouse?

Name: What the Mouse?
Released: 2020
Duration: 13 min

Representation Score

5.9/10

Fair

2020

TV-PG

Runtime

13 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

What the Mouse? is a sophisticated stop-motion film that explores identity through an empathy-driven narrative. It replaces traditional hero clichés with an emphasis on emotional truth and neurodivergence. The film excels by focusing on mental health as a core component of character development. Though the film's anthropomorphic animal characters prevent direct human demographic representation, it effectively disrupts social hierarchies. It shifts focus from conventional strength and family structures to internal emotional truths. The narrative's strength lies in its refusal to treat mental health challenges as problems to be solved, instead using them to forge meaningful connections between diverse characters.

Watch this, not that →

Category Breakdown

Does What the Mouse? have LGBTQ+ representation?

Fair

The film explores themes of self-discovery and personal growth, offering room for viewers to interpret these ideas through a queer lens. However, it does not explicitly depict queer relationships or gender non-conformity.

How does What the Mouse? portray gender?

Fair

The protagonist challenges traditional masculine stereotypes by emphasizing emotional vulnerability over physical strength. The story centers around emotional development rather than physical prowess.

How racially and ethnically diverse is What the Mouse??

Minimal

Since the film features anthropomorphic animals, it does not include human racial or ethnic markers. Instead, it uses species-based metaphors to convey diversity.

How does What the Mouse? represent religion and culture?

Good

The story redefines traditional family structures by portraying biological families as sources of trauma. It promotes self-acceptance and challenges conventional beauty standards.

Does What the Mouse? include disability representation?

Excellent

The film excels in its portrayal of neurodivergence and mental health, presenting characters with ADHD, paranoia, agoraphobia, and depression. These conditions are integral to character development and connection, rather than being used merely as plot devices.

Present on Screen

Sophisticated portrayal of neurodivergence and mental health as central character identities.
Challenges traditional gender stereotypes by focusing on emotional vulnerability.
Reframes cultural norms to challenge conventional family structures and beauty standards.

Limited or Absent

Lacks explicit LGBTQ+ representation or non-cisgender romantic relationships.
Does not feature human racial or ethnic diversity due to the anthropomorphic setting.

Official Synopsis

"What The Mouse?" is an artistic stop-motion short film covering the subject of Finding one's self Identity. The story follows a character named "What" in the form of a mouse who was abandoned at birth by his parents, due to his unpleasant appearance. "What" seeks advice in finding who he really is and where he came from, dealing with mental health issues including depression, social anxiety, and abandonment issues. Throughout his quest, he meets some unique characters which help him cope with his disposition in life. These characters include an anxious stray Hairless Sphinx cat with severe A.D.H.D, an eccentric owl filled with paranoia, and an agoraphobic snail who refuses to come out of his shell, literally. This unlikely friendship breeds understanding through one another that it doesn't matter who or what you are, or what anybody else thinks of you, as long as you learn to love yourself.

How are these scores produced? →