Tenderfoot TV and Twisted Bricks bring a fan-favorite true horror story to life through handcrafted stop-motion animation, just in time for Halloween.
What happens when a terrifying true-life encounter gets recreated entirely through LEGO-inspired stop-motion animation? The answer is Laura of the Woods, a chilling new 10-minute horror short from Tenderfoot TV and Twisted Bricks that proves even plastic bricks can deliver some serious nightmares.
Directed by award-winning animator Kristian Stenslie, creator of Twisted Bricks, Laura of the Woods adapts one of the most memorable stories from the hit horror podcast Radio Rental. The film follows a young boy whose seemingly ordinary adventure in the woods takes a disturbing turn when he encounters a mysterious girl with unsettling intentions.
Originally featured on Radio Rental, the story has accumulated more than 3 million downloads, making it one of the podcast’s most popular episodes.
Rather than taking the traditional animation route, Tenderfoot TV teamed up with Stenslie to create a painstakingly handcrafted stop-motion film that combines the nostalgic charm of brick-built animation with the unnerving atmosphere of firsthand horror storytelling.
“Laura of the Woods still creeps me out, and I already know how it ends,” said Payne Lindsey, co-founder of Tenderfoot TV and creator of Radio Rental. “Kristian and Twisted Bricks built this entire little nightmare by hand, one frame at a time. The level of detail is insane. You get caught up in the story and forget you’re watching stop-motion. I love that something made out of toys can be this unsettling.”
Stenslie, whose work includes the award-winning Void War Universe, saw the project as an opportunity to explore an unusual marriage of animation and documentary storytelling.
“What drew me to Laura of the Woods was the opportunity to take a genuinely unsettling story and bring it to life in a way audiences haven’t seen before,” said Stenslie. “I think the hand-crafted nature of stop motion pairs really well with the first-person narrative style of Radio Rental and gives the viewer a really unique and immersive experience.”
Radio Rental Returns for More Halloween Horrors
The short film’s October 22 debut arrives alongside the return of Radio Rental, which launches its latest season today, October 23.
Actor and comedian Tony Cavalero, known for The Righteous Gemstones, returns as Vince, continuing the podcast’s tradition of eccentric hosts guiding listeners through a collection of bizarre crimes, paranormal encounters, and unexplained phenomena.
Created by Payne Lindsey, Radio Rental presents firsthand accounts of unsettling experiences through the framing device of a fictional 1980s video rental store. Since its 2019 launch, the series has surpassed 85 million downloads and recently celebrated its 100th episode.
Previous hosts have included Rainn Wilson as Terry Carnation and comedian Jeff Foxworthy, while guest voices have featured Tig Notaro, Rachel Dratch, Josh Radnor, Chris Redd, and Brian Baumgartner.
Watch Laura of the Woods Now
Laura of the Woods premiered October 22, 2026, and is available to watch for free on YouTube.
WATCH THE FULL 10-MINUTE HORROR SHORT ON YOUTUBE
New episodes of Radio Rental premiere October 23 on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and other major podcast platforms.
For more information, visit RadioRentalUSA.com or explore the work of Twisted Bricks.
