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Praying Mantis film image; illustrated baby emerging from water with insect legs

Praying Mantis

Half woman, half praying mantis — Ali seduces and kills men to feed her hungry son.

Content Considerations: Animated depictions of sex and violence

 

Media Partner

Director
Credits
Country of Origin

Taiwan/Hong Kong

Year

2025

Language

In Taiwanese with English subtitles

Film Contact
18+
19 min
Animation Cinemas of Asia Horror & Thriller Shorts
Pleasure Garden Film, Far-Sun Film Co.

This short is featured in:

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Credits & Director

Producer

Yonfan

Screenwriter

Joe Hsieh, Jie Zhan

ANIM

Joe Hsieh, Shao-Chun Chung, An-Wen Zheung

Editor

Joe Hsieh

Original Music

Olivier Cong

Joe Hsieh headshot

Joe Hsieh

Joe Hsieh is a Taiwanese animation director whose works explore the dark side of human nature and are often filled with horror and suspense. His films have captured attention at many international film festivals. He collaborated on the production of No. 7 Cherry Lane (2019), which won Best Screenplay at the Venice International Film Festival. Night Bus (2020) was awarded Best Animated Short Film at the Sundance Film Festival, Grand Prix for Best Short Film at Animafest Zagreb, and the Public Prize at the Ottawa International Animation Film Festival. It was also nominated for Best Short Subject at the Annie Awards.

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