‘Ninety-Five Senses’ Review: Heart-wrenching brilliance and tear-jerking triumph headed to the 2024 Oscars
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: 2024 Oscar nominee for Best Animated Short Film, ‘Ninety-Five Senses,’ created by Jerusha Hess and Jared Hess and starring Tim Blake Nelson, is more than just a tear-jerker. It deserves all the attention and praise in the world because one cannot possibly be ready for the emotional rollercoaster about to be embarked on.
‘Ninety-Five Senses’ clocks in at less than 15 minutes, or, in this case, short. Surprisingly, that's more than enough time to tell the story of a man from start to finish. This animated short film transcends the mere exploration of how our senses work, primarily the five we are aware of. It delves deeper, and we strongly recommend keeping some tissues handy for this emotional journey.
An ode to the senses
‘Ninety-Five Senses’ is truly an ode to senses, as often described in the synopsis. However, the filmmakers have elevated this ode, taking it several notches higher. This animated short film delves into the last moments of a man's life. As he faces the gradual loss of each sense, the narration becomes nothing short of spectacular, delivered by none other than Tim Blake Nelson. Nelson, along with the filmmakers, provides an auditory treat complemented by brilliant visuals.
Little by little, minute by minute, as ‘Ninety-Five Senses’ unfolds before your eyes, on whichever screen you might be watching it on, you come to realize that the lead, Coy, is behind bars, seated in front of his last meal. This situation arises after he accidentally and unintentionally took the lives of an entire family. No, this isn’t a true crime or even a crime drama, as you might be wondering. It truly is an ode to all the senses.
A visual treat
Apart from the brilliant narration and emotional story, ‘Ninety-Five Senses’ is also a visual delight. It’s no surprise that this short film earned an Oscar nomination and widespread recognition worldwide. Every frame in ‘Ninety-Five Senses’ tells a little story, crafted so beautifully that you wouldn’t want to blink, not wanting this short film to come to an end.
From glimpses of the protagonist’s childhood to the burning building, to witnessing his last being made – every detail is subtle, and an absolute feast for your eyes. Little by little, as the story unfolds and eventually concludes, you may find yourself reaching for the nearest tissue not only because ‘Ninety-Five Senses’ was a great short film but because it ended.
