Films for Breakfast

“Are we alone in the universe?” stands as one of humanity’s most profound questions, resonating not only throughout history and the evolution of science but across literature, art, philosophy, and media. Pixar’s latest film, Elio, centers on an 11-year-old boy named Elio Solis (Yonas Kibreab), who grapples with grief and isolation following the loss of his parents. Living with his aunt and guardian, Olga (Zoe Saldaña) who is constantly struggling to understand and support him, Elio’s yearning for connection leads him to a love and yearning for an understanding of the cosmos; he finds solace in archival audio of the late-great astronomer Carl Sagan, as he looks to the stars each night – when Elio begs the question “Am I truly alone in the universe?,” it feels like it has a whole other meaning than the one we’re used to.

Elio’s longing for understanding in the stars culminates in a cosmic misadventure when he’s mistakenly identified as Earth’s leader and taken to the Communiverse, an intergalactic hub of alien lifeforms. Amidst its eccentric, colorful setting and Elio’s journey of self-discovery across the cosmos, Elio stands out as one of Pixar’s most delightfully offbeat and wacky films in recent memory. The imaginative world-building, vibrant planets, and diverse array of alien designs showcase a level of detail that’s both playful and meticulous. Pixar, unsurprisingly, brings its A-game in terms of animation, delivering so much craftsmanship and attention-to-detail at every turn.

However, like all great Pixar films, Elio shines the brightest within its character work and emotional resonance. Early in his cosmic journey, Elio meets Glordon (Remy Edgerly), an alien boy roughly the same age as him. The two form an instant bond, united by their shared sense of humor, drive for adventure, and the mutual feeling of being misunderstood by those closest to them. Their growing friendship serves as both the film’s comedic and emotional anchor; a poignant realization for Elio that he is never truly alone in the universe.

Back on Earth, the film is equally emotionally resonant. Elio’s relationship with his Aunt Olga is quite touching – striking a delicate balance between heartfelt and understated, which lends their bond a quiet authenticity. Many of the film’s biggest laughs, and most powerful, tear-jerking moments, stem from their interactions and drive to understand one-another. It’s in the quieter moments on Earth, where Elio is yearning to understand himself and make sense of his personal losses, that Pixar’s keen focus on character truly shines the brightest and makes the film feel like a true gem.

The only thing holding Elio back from joining the ranks of top-tier Pixar, alongside films like The Incredibles or Ratatouille for example, is its tendency to simplify parts of the story for younger audiences. At times, the humor also skews a bit low, in a way that the very best entries in Pixar’s filmography typically avoid. While these choices don’t diminish the film as a whole, it does feel like Pixar could have trusted the audience a bit more; to sit with the quieter moments and fully embrace the more complex elements of the story.

However, it’s hard to fault the film too much for aiming at a younger audience when it handles themes like existentialism, childhood grief, and isolation with such grace and nuance that children can both understand and handle. Elio may feel breezier than some of Pixar’s heavier entries at times, but it wears its heart proudly on its sleeve and delivers an imaginative, deeply entertaining story that fully embraces the studio’s weirder and outwardly emotional side. It’s one of Pixar’s stronger efforts in recent years – and one that feels poised to age quite well.