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Phoebe Bridgers and Billie Eilish have joined the voice cast of My Chemical Romance’s new animated short film, titled “Prelude to the End.” The project, created in collaboration with visual artist Lauren Tsai, arrives just after the band dropped a 20th-anniversary reissue of the album The Black Parade.
The Bottom Line
- Phoebe Bridgers and Billie Eilish voice key characters in the new animated short film “Prelude to the End.”
- The project features Hideo Kojima and actor John C. McGinley alongside the musicians.
- My Chemical Romance will screen the film at their upcoming Hollywood Bowl performances.
Boarding School Trash and Uncanny Realms
“Prelude to the End” follows a New England boarding school student named Astrid who is searching for a lost sketchbook. After tumbling down the school’s garbage chute, she enters an uncanny realm where old ideas come to life. The narrative blends surreal visual design with an eclectic voice ensemble.
Phoebe Bridgers provides the voice for Astrid’s sister, while Billie Eilish voices Astrid’s close friend. The voice cast includes Hideo Kojima, who voices a character known as the Teacher, and actor John C. McGinley, who voices an imposing administrative figure called The Dean.
Classical Composition Meets Modern Animation
The short film incorporates a live recording of Pascal Dusapin’s Flying River, Violin Concerto. The piece is performed by the Utopia Orchestra and conducted by Giuseppe Mengoli. This pairing of vocalists with classical composition underscores the theatrical scale of the project.
The release coincides with the 20th-anniversary reissue of The Black Parade. My Chemical Romance performed the album in full at the When We Were Young festival in 2024.
| Cast Member | Character Role |
|---|---|
| Phoebe Bridgers | Astrid’s Sister |
| Billie Eilish | Astrid’s Friend |
| Hideo Kojima | The Teacher |
| John C. McGinley | The Dean |
Hollywood Bowl Screenings and Residency Finales
My Chemical Romance plans to screen “Prelude to the End” during their upcoming performances at the Hollywood Bowl. The screenings are slated for October 30 and 31. These dates mark the final two nights of the band’s five-night residency at the Los Angeles venue.
