According to Ladbible, a creepy clip featuring a Rumpelstiltskin-like character has been spreading across social media, with viewers using the strange footage in memes and other contexts. Although some people thought the instagram video came from an older fantasy movie, its origins are much more recent.
Some viewers apparently believed the footage came from the 1987 movie Rumpelstiltskin, but that theory did not last long. In the original story, Rumpelstiltskin helps a woman turn hay into gold after her father boasts about her supposed ability to do so, eventually demanding her first child in exchange for his help.
It is actually generated using aritifical intelligence and tries to recreate the visual looks and graphics that were seen in older fantasy films. The character’s unusual movements and the practical-effects seem to mimic familiar fantasy imagery, including the transformation into a stereotypical handsome prince that was a frequent theme in movies back then.
It is an unsettling, creepy video
The video shows a young woman sitting inside a hay-filled stable when a small, gnome-like character approaches her and signals her to remain quiet before touching her face. After dancing in an unsettling manner, the character runs in a circle around her and turns the hay into gold coins. The woman then kisses him as he turns into a handsome prince which makes her happy.
The clip apparently came from an Instagram account, Stroinaya (@stroinaya). The caption read, ‘To create a fantasy world, shoot a short film without a camera and actors, make music, a cartoon or an entire project — today you don’t need a big team and a huge budget.’
With the use of AI comes several risks, but this account created many other AI-generated videos inspired by well-known fairy tales, including The Frog Prince and Rapunzel. It has turned into a meme known as “Rumpelstiltskin Tiptoe,” with users pairing the dancing character with the song Tip Toe Wing In My Jawwwdinz by Riff Raff.
The character has also been cut out from the original footage and placed against a green screen, making it easier for people to insert him into completely different settings. The trend is part of a wider wave of AI-generated “dark fantasy” videos that imitate the distinctive look of movies such as The Never Ending Story, Labyrinth, and The Dark Crystal.
While those films relied on artists, puppetry, makeup, prosthetics, and physical sets, this viral clip was created through AI. The technology will allegedly be the reason behind a global financial disaster.
Published: Oct 7, 2026 10:36 am