#darkfairytale

[enchantedbook]

'The Old Woman in the Woods' from the Brothers Grimm illustrated by Arthur Rackham, 1917

[natureaestheticdreams]

[oonryy]

Hey! 👋😊

Here’s the very first illustration I ever made in Procreate, years ago!

Fun little detail: Gretel is staring in fear at a spider that has caught two flies in its web — a small hint at what’s about to happen to Hansel and Gretel.

And yes, Gretel’s slightly awkward grimace was totally intentional. © 2021 szymon ryczek. All rights reserved.

[yellowmanula]

John Brophy

[alexielmovienights]

Dust Bunny just came out in theaters here this week. The movie that didn’t really know what it wanted to be. Or something like that.

It was marketed as a horror film here. But it’s way too bloodless for that. I’d put it more in the dark fantasy category.

The story is pretty simple. The parents of a little girl get eaten by a monster under the bed.

The film borrows here and there. The most obvious one is Léon The Professional. The killer neighbor helps the girl who survives.

And I also got a tiny bit of Pan’s Labyrinth vibes. Only a tiny bit though. Pan’s Labyrinth is so dark, creative, and heartbreaking, Dust Bunny doesn’t come close. But seeing the world through Aurora’s eyes did remind me of it just a little.

Sophie Sloan as Aurora feels spot-on. David Dastmalchian could’ve basically wandered over from the set of Dexter 😉 but it worked. Sigourney Weaver is, as always, right on point.

And of course the star is Mads Mikkelsen. He plays the professional killer. And honestly, everything he plays is kinda cool 😂

I also liked the costumes. And the set design. Aurora’s apartment especially looked really good.

The movie isn’t anything special. But I liked it. It was something different. And dark fantasy in theaters isn’t exactly common.

It’s definitely not for kids, just because of the whole monster under the bed theme alone. And there are a couple scenes that aren’t for kids either.

For adults it might just be a bit too playful. That’s probably why the film has a hard time finding its audience.

So yeah, those are my thoughts on Dust Bunny

[starlightciel]

"Twisted." Act Two, Complication.

An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works

:built a casket for two, let the world burn for you.

~ a kuroken dark fairytale retelling of tangled/rapunzel (featuring dragons and a prophecy)

~ written for the #kuroobowl2025 fic exchange.

[grandplay]

Queen Lilac Puffbraid the Grand - My OC

Created by Lily Lovebraids herself, Queen Lilac Puffbraid the Grand is not just a mascot she is a living, towering embodiment of royal imagination taken too far.

Born from layers upon layers of stitched fabric, enchanted threads, and pure creative obsession, Lily designed her to be the ultimate parade queen. But something changed the moment the final 32nd underskirt layer was placed. The gown didn’t just inflate it awakened.

Now, she stands as a colossal semi-circle of royal power, her massive inflated gown spreading like a kingdom of silk and air. Her purple braided beehive crown rises high like a throne of woven royalty, and her glowing amethyst lips curl into a calm, knowing smile.

She drifts above her purple and black tea party parade float, no longer needing it yet never leaving it.

In one hand, she holds her elegant royal fan, but with a single flick, it can summon gusts strong enough to scatter entire crowds like confetti.

[i-x-w-i]

Moonlit Streets of Whispering Shadows