Director: Ben Stassen
Cast: Jordan Tartakow, Joe Ochman, Laila Berzins, Danny Fehsenfeld, Chris McCune
Chickenhare and the Hamster of Darkness is a 2022 Belgian-French animated adventure comedy directed by Ben Stassen, following a half-chicken, half-hare hero on a quest to find a legendary magical scepter before a scheming villain can seize its limitless power.
What is Chickenhare and the Secret of the Groundhog about?
Chickenhare is the adopted heir of King Peter, a celebrated adventurer — but his unusual mixed-species identity makes fitting in nearly impossible. Disguising himself as a full hare, he attempts the prestigious Royal Adventurer Society trials and falls short. Refusing defeat, he sets his sights on recovering the Scepter of the Hamster of Darkness before his treacherous Uncle Lapin can claim it. Whoever possesses the scepter gains unstoppable power, and Lapin's ambitions are anything but benign. With his sardonic turtle companion Abe and the formidable skunk warrior Meg at his side, Chickenhare embarks on an escalating journey across wild terrain — learning along the way that identity, courage, and loyalty matter far more than a flawless pedigree.
Cast & crew
Director Ben Stassen, the Belgian filmmaker behind the nWave Pictures studio, brings his signature blend of slapstick energy and vibrant 3D animation to the helm. Jordan Tartakow leads the voice cast as Chickenhare, supported by Joe Ochman, Laila Berzins as Meg, Danny Fehsenfeld, Chris McCune, Michael Orenstein, Dino Andrade, and Kyle Hebert rounding out a versatile ensemble.
Context & significance
Family animation from continental Europe carries a distinct charm that often resonates with diaspora households — lighter in tone than Hollywood blockbusters yet rich in wordplay and physical comedy that crosses language barriers effortlessly. For Persian-speaking families settled abroad, this film offers a shared viewing experience across generations: young children delight in the colorful creature characters while adults appreciate the underdog arc and the gentle humor about identity and belonging. The film is available with a full Persian dub, making it especially accessible for younger viewers who are more comfortable in Farsi, and it plays warmly at family movie nights without requiring any background knowledge of the source material.
Where & how to watch
Chickenhare and the Hamster of Darkness is available on K-Time with a full Persian dub, so the whole family can enjoy it in Farsi. Watch on the web, your TV, or your phone — no VPN needed, no geo-blocking, and you can cancel anytime.