Stick Man

This week's most surprising animation pick in Australia on Stan and ABC iview, and in the US on Amazon Prime Video is Stick Man. It knows exactly what kind of film it is from the opening scene, and never loses that thread. With 118 viewer ratings on TMDB, this is not a title flying under the radar. Martin Freeman brings more to the role than the format usually demands. There is no real reason to keep putting it off — it is right there on Stan.

Stick Man is not trying to be everything to everyone, and that focus is exactly what makes it work. Visually distinctive and narratively ambitious, Stick Man operates well above the genre average. Stick Man lives in the family tree with his Stick Lady Love and their stick children three, and he's heading on an epic adventure across the seasons. Will he get back to his family in time for Christmas? Martin Freeman and Hugh Bonneville bring more to it than the format typically demands. It was released in 2015. The animation style is distinctive enough to be immediately recognisable, but it is the writing underneath that keeps viewers coming back for more. It knows exactly what it is, and does not try to be anything else.

Animation fans will appreciate the craft, but Stick Man works for viewers who do not typically seek out animation too. It stands on its own even without an obvious comparison point. A contained runtime means every scene is doing real work. The writing operates at a level the format's reputation does not fully prepare you for. Adult animation that actually works for adults.

Stick Man was released in 2015, directed by Jeroen Jaspaert. The full 27-minute film is available to watch now. Find exactly where it's streaming below, and TV Butler Pro makes it effortless to track your progress as you go. Just search the name, and Butler finds it instantly, tells you which service has it, and remembers exactly where you left off.