‘In a Heartbeat’ Animators Adorably React to Elders Freaking Out Over Their Film

The reaction video trend tends to be very hit or miss, with favorites featuring lighthearted content like today’s children reacting to old toy trends like Furbies and Beanie Babies, or elderly people trying to grasp new tech fads.

In a rare case of enjoyable meta reaction videos, the animators behind the viral short In a Heartbeat sat down together to react to the elderly watching their filmfor the first time. Beth David and Esteban Bravo weren’t sure what they’d get when senior citizens sat down to watch a short about a subject that’s often left out of the animated film genre – same-sex attraction.

But after the first few elders were delightfully enthralled, the animators loosened up and were eager to see what a demographic they hadn’t planned on reaching thought of their hard work.

“This was the story that we both wish we had seen when we were younger,” said animator Beth David.

“It portrays the complexities and quiet anxieties of growing up LGBTQ+ and it’s something that we were both able to relate to on a personal level,” added Esteban Bravo. Watch the reaction video, below.