Acclaimed independent animator Dash Shaw—known for his distinct, expressive style in films like Cryptozoo and My Entire High School Sinking Into the Sea—is moving forward with his third animated feature, Unknownia, which has secured a formidable voice cast led by Tim Roth and Barbara Sukowa.
The film promises a unique blend of surreal adventure and emotional depth, with early reports suggesting it echoes the legacy of Japanese animation master Hayao Miyazaki.
Unknownia centers on a fantastical, high-stakes quest. The story follows a young girl named Rory who must rescue her father after he disappears during a treasure quest that involves a dangerous encounter with a dragon. Fortunately, Rory is aided on her perilous journey by a sentient weasel.
Shaw has assembled a talented cast to bring this mythical world to life:
- Tim Roth (Pulp Fiction, Reservoir Dogs) and Barbara Sukowa (Hannah Arendt, Chloë) are set to voice key roles in the ensemble.
- They are joined by Angeliki Papoulia (who also lent her voice to Shaw’s Cryptozoo), Larry Fessenden, Robbie Crandall, and Sabrina Sickler.
Known for his hand-drawn, highly textural, and visually experimental animation style, Dash Shaw continues to carve out a distinct space in the world of independent filmmaking. Unknownia signals a significant step into a grander fantasy narrative, suggesting a work that will blend the personal, often abstract storytelling of his previous work with classic, sweeping adventure tropes. While the release date is yet to be announced, the confirmation of the voice cast marks a major milestone for one of the most anticipated indie animation projects in development.