(Credit: Netflix)

When you think about critically perfect films, your mind probably jumps to something sweeping and serious. Maybe a war epic. Maybe a slow-burn indie drama. But what if I told you the only movie on Netflix right now with a 100% Rotten Tomatoes rating is a 22-minute claymation short about a man, a dog, and a criminal penguin?

Yes, really. Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl is that film. And once you watch it, it becomes clear why every single critic gave it a glowing review.

Set in the delightfully off-kilter world of Aardman Animations, this short sees the return of two of Britain’s most iconic stop-motion stars. Wallace, the overly ambitious inventor, and Gromit, his ever-loyal and silently exasperated dog, are back, and so is an old enemy. Feathers McGraw, the scheming penguin from The Wrong Trousers, is out of prison and up to no good. Only this time, he wants revenge.

The plot kicks off with Wallace unveiling his latest invention, a hyper-intelligent garden gnome meant to automate home security. As always, his well-meaning creation quickly becomes more trouble than it is worth. Gromit is suspicious, of course. And before long, Feathers McGraw returns in a delightfully absurd twist that turns the short into a full-blown face-off.

What makes this film so easy to love is not just its nostalgia. It is the attention to detail. Every movement, every frame, every background object has character. There is humour hidden in the corners. The gnome’s robotic voice is hilarious without trying to be. Gromit’s expressions still say more than any dialogue ever could. It is classic Aardman. Smart, charming, and effortlessly funny.

And yet, it feels fresh. The animation has evolved, but not so much that it loses its handcrafted charm. You still see the fingerprints, both literally and creatively. That texture matters. It is what separates this from slick, overproduced animation. It feels human.

Critics have praised the short not just for its technical brilliance but for how much story and soul it manages to pack into 22 minutes. In that brief time, it gives you laughs, tension, callbacks, and a proper emotional arc. All while staying light on its feet.

Feathers McGraw steals the show again. He does not say a word. He does not need to. From his disguises to his deadpan stares, he is one of the most effective animated villains ever created. And all that with the help of some plasticine and perfect timing. His return alone is worth the watch.

What makes Vengeance Most Fowl even more remarkable is how it works across generations. Kids can watch it for the gadgets and slapstick. Adults will love the satire, the timing, and the subtle digs at our obsession with smart devices. It walks the line between playful and sharp in a way that very few Netflix animated projects can.

In an age where everything feels overstimulating and overcomplicated, there is something special about a short film that sticks to what it does best. It is entertaining, carefully crafted, and just the right amount of ridiculous.

So if you are sifting through Netflix this weekend, wondering what is actually worth your time, skip the endless scrolling. Sometimes, the perfect film is the one you least expect. And this time, it stars a plasticine penguin with a plan and has a 100% Rotten Tomatoes score.

Trust the critics. This one earns every bit of its perfect score.