: Unlike typical family films, it assimilates themes of death and insanity as natural, if difficult, parts of life.

Based on the novel Ana by , the story is set in the 1940s and follows a young girl named Ana who arrives at a psychiatric institution with her mother, Carmen. After discovering that her mother is in danger of undergoing a terrible medical procedure, Ana teams up with Bruno , a hyperactive, goblin-like "imaginary" creature who is actually a manifestation of another patient's schizophrenia.

: The "monsters" and creatures Ana meets are visual representations of various clinical conditions, including alcoholism and neurosis.

Directed by Carrera—who previously won a at Cannes for his short El Héroe —the film was in production for roughly 13 years. With a budget of approximately $5.35 million USD (over 100 million pesos), it was the most expensive Mexican animated feature at the time of its release.

The visual style is often compared to a "Tim Burton-style project," featuring a dark 3D world and character designs that lean into the grotesque to reflect the internal struggles of the asylum patients. It holds the distinction of being Mexico’s first stereoscopic 3D film, though its long production meant some critics found the animation technology slightly dated by its eventual release. Reception and Awards

The film stands out for its refusal to sugarcoat reality for younger audiences:

: Critics have praised the film for treating children as intelligent viewers capable of understanding complex emotional landscapes. Production and Animation Style