The Rat 1988
In this biting 1988 animated short from director Sash Andranikian, a beleaguered tenant watches helplessly as a stubborn rat gradually dismantles his once-cozy apartment.
Director: Sash Andranikian
Cast
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Rat (1988) about?
This animated short follows a tenant whose apartment is slowly consumed by a single rat, mirroring the broader anxieties of Cold War-era disarmament talks. As the rodent gnaws away at his home, the contrast between global conflict and personal chaos unfolds in unexpected ways.
Who directed The Rat?
The Rat was directed by Sash Andranikian, a filmmaker known for infusing animation with sharp social commentary.
Who stars in The Rat?
The film features Harutyun Ghukasyan as the voice of the frustrated tenant.
Is The Rat (1988) worth watching?
Though unrated on IMDb, The Rat is a hidden gem for fans of animated shorts with bite. Its 10-minute runtime packs a punch, blending war-era themes with a darkly humorous take on domestic strife. A cult curiosity worth seeking out.
How long is The Rat?
The Rat runs for 10 minutes.
About The Rat (1988) — A 10-Minute Animated Parable of War and Domestic Decay
In this biting 1988 animated short from director Sash Andranikian, a beleaguered tenant watches helplessly as a stubborn rat gradually dismantles his once-cozy apartment. Set against a backdrop of Cold War tension—where television news buzzes with weapons talks and disarmament treaties—the rodent's relentless chewing becomes a darkly comic metaphor for the erosion of stability. The film blends war-era anxieties with the intimate scale of domestic decay, transforming a simple pest problem into a surreal commentary on destruction, both personal and political.
The Rat (1988) is a compact yet potent piece of animation, where every frame crackles with tension. Andranikian's direction infuses the mundane with menace, while Harutyun Ghukasyan's voice work for the protagonist grounds the absurdity in raw frustration. Though brief at just 10 minutes, the film lingers like the echo of a forgotten news bulletin—small in size, but impossible to ignore.