DFA Staff Pick: Pullin’ the Devil by the Tail – The Black Cat

Strange occurrences plague the Stoisis boys one eerie Hallowe’en night. Puca, Frank, and Ciaran, mid-way through a hazy evening of poitín and folk music with their pal Oscar, are thrown into disarray when an unexpected feline guest turns their night upside down, revealing that she hides far more than her soft fur suggests…

Created by Stephen McCollum, Pullin’ the Devil by the Tail is a Claymation black comedy series that delves into the surreal and darkly humorous escapades of three men and their frequent run-ins with the Devil himself, as well as all the other weird and wonderful adventures the lads experience. Each encounter leads them deeper into a web of bizarre and twisted adventures. Winning the prestigious McLaren Award for New British Animation at the Edinburgh Film Festival, the series has cemented McCollum’s unique style and comedic flair. His work also makes a notable appearance in the critically acclaimed 2024 anarchic comedy Kneecap, about the Belfast rap group of the same name.