My Chemical Romance has released a new animated short film titled "Prelude to the End," created in collaboration with visual artist Lauren Tsai. The project features a notable voice cast that includes Phoebe Bridgers, Billie Eilish, Hideo Kojima, and actor John C. McGinley. This release follows closely on the heels of the band dropping a 20th-anniversary reissue of their album The Black Parade last week.
The narrative centers on Astrid, a student at a New England boarding school overwhelmed by trash. After falling down the school's garbage chute while searching for a cherished sketchbook, she enters an uncanny realm where old ideas come to life. In this story, Bridgers provides the voice for Astrid's sister, while Eilish voices Astrid's close friend. Hideo Kojima portrays a character known as the Teacher, and John C. McGinley lends his voice to The Dean, described as an imposing administrative figure.
The film incorporates a live recording of Pascal Dusapin's "Flying River, Violin Concerto," performed by the Utopia Orchestra under the direction of conductor Giuseppe Mengoli. My Chemical Romance plans to screen the short film during two upcoming shows at the Hollywood Bowl on October 30 and 31. These screenings mark the final two nights of the band's five-night residency at the Los Angeles venue, which is part of a larger ongoing tour celebrating the 20th anniversary of The Black Parade. The tour began last year, and the band previously performed the album in full at the When We Were Young festival in 2024.
Sources: Pitchfork.