With 2020 being a confusing time for the film business, many studios released their projects later in the year. Among them were directors Will McCormack and Michael Govier’s most recent short, “If Anything Happens I Love You.” With an average rating of 3.8/5 on Letterboxd (based on 28k ratings), and a 7.9/10 on IMDb (6.5k ratings), this gut-wrenching black and white animation is reminiscent of the comics in The New Yorker, and covers difficult topics throughout, such as gun violence, isolation, and emotional grief.

Director-writers Will McCormack and Michael Govier were not newcomers to the world of short films. McCormack, most known for his work on “Toy Story 4″ and “Celeste and Jesse Forever,” came together with Gover, an actor, playwright, and producer, to create the film. Production for the film began after a meeting between the two where Govier expressed his interest in making a film where shadows portrayed people’s emotions that they could not reach. 

Initially released in March 2020 at a private screening in Beverly Hills, celebrities such as Laura Dern (an executive producer), Rashida Jones, and Mary McCormack presented the film. During the screening, Dern showed her support and gave her condolences to victims of gun violence. As a fan of one of the first cuts, Dern joined the team alongside her producing partner, Jayme Lemons, who are both involved with ‘Everytown for Gun Safety,’ which is a non-profit organization that stands up for gun control.

When first released on Netflix on November 20, 2020, critics, such as Richard Propes of The Independent Critic gave a rating of an A+. Propes praised the characters, animation style and overall point of the film, and proceeded to call it “an animated masterpiece.” IndieWire, an online news publication source for media, announced on October 14, 2020 that Netflix had been thinking about submitting “If Anything Happens” to the 93rd Academy Awards for the Best Animated Short Film section.

Watching “If Anything Happens” was an amazing viewing experience. Aside from the transcendent story and showstopping art style, the intricate details to further enhance the plot were brilliant. Even with the absence of dialogue, the soothing piano-laced music helped bring this story to life. Without any speaking, the viewer focuses more on the actions and emotions of the characters, rather than relying on their word.        

Regardless of if you’re a frequent viewer of short films or not, this emotional rollercoaster can be enjoyed by everyone, as it encompasses a journey that you might only expect from a full length project. “If Anything Happens I Love You” is available to watch on Netflix in all countries.