The hot Netflix series Love, Death & Robots continues with its fourth season, released on May 15, 2025. The first episode of the season, named “Can’t Stop”, brings a unique stylistic choice of using marionette puppets.

The opening of this episode reveals a crowd of puppets and people at a concert as the song “Can’t Stop” by the Red Hot Chili Peppers plays. This shows the group as marionette puppets playing live on stage, similar to a music video for this band.

As this episode continues, it’s clear what we see is animated, but the puppets’ mouths move realistically. This only adds to the intriguing stylistic choice made for this episode. The band The Red Hot Chili Peppers and their audiences are portrayed as puppets, but remain animated, leading to the question: Is this just a stylistic choice, or is it also a thematic decision?

As the band continues to play for the crowd, one fan’s strings catch on fire, leading him to be engulfed in flames. The band plays on, showcasing superb animation as the band members perform tricks on stage while being strung puppets.

The opening of the fourth season of this series is a bold and visually striking episode. This installment immediately stands out due to its unique use of marionette puppetry, blending stop-motion aesthetics with high-quality animation. Set to the energetic pulse of Red Hot Chili Peppers’ hit song, the band’s performance on stage is a surreal, concert-like spectacle. The playful style choice quickly deepens as the animation subtly breathes life into the puppet characters, making their movements lifelike while raising thematic questions about control, autonomy, and identity. 

The tone turns from exuberant to unsettling when a fan’s strings ignite mid-performance, quickly engulfing him in flames while the band continues performing. The moment is as disturbing as it is visually impressive, emphasizing the show’s signature blend of beauty and brutality. With “Can’t Stop,” Love, Death & Robots once again shows its commitment to pushing the boundaries of both animation and storytelling.

Rating: 9/10