Artist Lauren Tsai, known for her stop-motion series The Dying World, has partnered with the New Jersey rock band My Chemical Romance to create a short film. The project is based on 'The End,' the opening track from the band's 2006 album The Black Parade. This collaboration arrives as the band celebrates the twentieth anniversary of that landmark record following their reunion in 2019, though it remains unclear if the film connects to rumors of a fifth studio album dubbed MCR5 by fans.
The narrative follows Astrid, a student at the Paper Academy who is reprimanded by her Dean for repeatedly drawing 'that thing' and falling behind her peers. After being told she has forgotten something important, Astrid listens to voicemails from concerned friends and family before lying on her floor as My Chemical Romance's music begins to play. The Dean's assistant subsequently discards Astrid's sketchpad into a garbage chute, prompting Astrid to dive inside and enter the realm of The Dying World.
According to Tsai in an interview with Indiewire, The Dying World serves as a 'trash dump for discarded thoughts.' This concept mirrors the lore of The Black Parade, where the recurring character known as the Patient is taken to a strange realm of memories as his life fades. Tsai noted her interest in exploring a character who slips into being forgotten while still alive, describing Astrid's ability to move between two realms that she views as one place.
The short film features a notable cast of voice actors. Lauren Tsai voices the protagonist Astrid, while John C. McGinley provides the voice for the Dean. The voicemail sequences include cameos from Billie Eilish, who plays Astrid's friend, and Phoebe Bridgers as her sister. Additionally, video game creator Hideo Kojima appears as Astrid's teacher, leaving a message about her late Japanese homework. Kojima is a self-proclaimed fan of the band, having seen them live in 2006 during the Black Parade era.
This marks a reversal of roles for Tsai and Kojima, who previously collaborated when Tsai appeared in Death Stranding 2: On the Beach asking players to find drawing materials. Now, Kojima is featured within Tsai's creative work, adding another layer to their professional relationship.
Sources: Polygon.