Save Ralph
Save Ralph is a 2021 stop-motion animated mockumentary short film written and directed by Spencer Susser, produced by Humane Society International as part of its #SaveRalph campaign to end animal testing for cosmetics worldwide.[1][2] The film centers on Ralph, a laboratory rabbit voiced by Taika Waititi, who is interviewed about his daily routine enduring toxicity tests, blinding eye drops, and other procedures for shampoo and lipstick safety assessments, presented in a satirical style that underscores the ethical concerns of such practices.[1][3] Featuring a voice cast including Ricky Gervais as the interviewer, Zac Efron as Ralph's cousin Bobby, and Olivia Munn as lab rabbit Marshmallow, the production employed dark humor and celebrity appeal to humanize the animals involved, with regional versions using local actors like George Lopez for Latin American audiences.[1][4] Released on YouTube, the film garnered over millions of views and contributed to legislative momentum, including bans on sales of animal-tested cosmetics in four U.S. states and advocacy for the federal Humane Cosmetics Act.[1][5] The short received critical acclaim for its animation and message, earning the Grand Prix for Good at the 2022 Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, two Webby Awards, and a place on the Academy Awards shortlist for Best Animated Short Film, though it highlighted debates on the balance between animal welfare and product safety validation through non-animal alternatives.[5][6][7]Production
Development and creation
Humane Society International commissioned Save Ralph in 2020 as a central element of its #SaveRalph global campaign to prohibit cosmetic animal testing worldwide, targeting countries where such practices continued despite regulatory progress elsewhere.[1] The initiative responded to ongoing testing in jurisdictions lacking comprehensive bans, building on precedents like the European Union's prohibition on animal testing of finished cosmetic products effective September 11, 2004.[8] Funding originated from HSI's advocacy resources, positioning the film as a tool to mobilize public and policymaker support for legislative change.[9] Spencer Susser was brought on as writer and director, initiating work on the project in 2020 amid COVID-19 lockdowns that influenced remote collaboration aspects.[10] Produced by Jeff Vespa through entities including Alldayeveryday Productions and Blue-Tongue Films in partnership with HSI, the effort prioritized advocacy efficacy over commercial aims.[2] Susser's vision centered on a mockumentary format to humanize the animal testing experience, selecting stop-motion animation for its capacity to convey physical realism and emotional weight, as he noted the need for the protagonist to "feel real" in representing actual laboratory animals.[1] This stylistic choice aimed to differentiate the film from conventional advocacy videos, enhancing its potential to drive empathy and action against industry practices.[10]Technical aspects and animation
Save Ralph employs stop-motion animation, utilizing handcrafted physical puppets for the anthropomorphic rabbit protagonist and supporting characters, alongside custom-built sets mimicking cosmetics testing laboratories. This technique involves capturing thousands of individual frames by incrementally adjusting the models' positions, creating fluid motion that underscores the tangible, physical nature of the depicted experiments. The production, handled by London-based Arch Model Maker, focused on intricate detailing to convey realism in the animals' modeled injuries, such as scarred tissue and impaired features achieved through specialized puppet modifications rather than digital effects.[11] The film's runtime totals approximately four minutes, enabling a concise yet impactful presentation of its advocacy message within the constraints of a non-profit initiative funded by Humane Society International. Completed in early 2021 ahead of its April 6 release, the animation process prioritized efficiency, leveraging practical effects to simulate the aftermath of toxicity tests—like blindness and skin damage—on the rabbit models, thereby avoiding reliance on CGI while amplifying the advocacy's call for empirical alternatives to animal-based methods. This hands-on approach, as noted in production insights, fosters a visceral viewer connection to the causal consequences of testing practices, aligning technical choices with the goal of promoting cruelty-free innovation.[1][12]Voice cast and contributions
The principal voice cast of Save Ralph centers on Taika Waititi as Ralph, the laboratory rabbit who narrates his experiences as a cosmetics tester in a mockumentary style interview.[2] Supporting roles feature Zac Efron as Bobby, a fellow rabbit; Ricky Gervais as the interviewer; Olivia Munn as Marshmallow, another rabbit; Pom Klementieff; and Tricia Helfer as Cottonballs, a hamster.[13] These actors' involvement, drawn from a multinational lineup, leveraged their established fame to extend the short film's visibility beyond niche advocacy audiences.[4]| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
| Taika Waititi | Ralph (rabbit) |
| Zac Efron | Bobby (rabbit) |
| Ricky Gervais | Interviewer |
| Olivia Munn | Marshmallow (rabbit) |
| Tricia Helfer | Cottonballs (hamster) |
| Pom Klementieff | Lab animal |