Who among us hasn’t dreamed of going to space? Even if you’d prefer to stay firmly Earth-bound, no one can really argue that outer space holds so many possibilities; it’s impossible not to consider what it’s like up there, even briefly. Of course, if you’re the titular character of Pixar’s new animated feature Elio, then idle speculation and daydreaming isn’t enough. When it comes to learning more about space, nothing short of actual alien abduction will satisfy. That is young Elio’s (Yonas Kibreab) biggest dream: to be beamed up by aliens and taken far, far away. Orphaned and now being raised by his aunt, Olga (Zoe Saldaña), Elio’s fascination with space is prompted by a trip to the air and space museum, and he soon becomes obsessed with making contact with creatures from across the galaxy, a desire that puts him at odds with Olga and other kids his age. It isn’t a spoiler to say Elio succeeds in getting the aliens’ attention, and that’s only the start of his adventure.
Elio’s World Is Vibrant & Beautifully Animated

You’re Going To Love Elio Himself

From the moment Elio is introduced to the Communiverse, an intergalactic gathering of brilliant aliens of all kinds, the movie takes off in a dizzying whirl of colorful, vibrant settings and boldly designed aliens. A classic case of miscommunication means the various members of the Communiverse believe Elio is the leader of Earth, and the boy is so eager to leave his planet behind that he doesn’t correct them, even when it means he must come face to face with Lord Grigon (Brad Garrett), a hulking warlord eager to destroy the Communiverse after being snubbed by it. There are few movies this year that contain a character as adorable and instantly lovable as Elio. From the moment he’s first shown onscreen, grieving the loss of his parents and clutching two tiny astronaut figurines, he endears himself to us because, even though it’s largely hidden behind his desperation to get sent to space, he’s struggling with something devastatingly relatable: he doesn’t feel like he belongs anywhere and is alone in the universe.

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It’s easy to say Elio is simply about friendship, and the laugh-out-loud hilarity and wonder of a young boy getting beamed up to space, and it is all of that. Directors Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi (Turning Red), and Adrian Molina (Coco) have crafted a visually dazzling and creative world that I, just like Elio, could barely wrap my head around. It could quickly get overwhelming, but with us firmly planted in Elio’s shoes, we’re all along for the ride and eager to see more of the Communiverse.

In a few instances, Elio went in directions I wasn’t expecting, but that almost always led to a scene that was more emotionally satisfying than anything I could’ve dreamt up.

Elio only gets more delightful with the introduction of Glordon (Remy Edgerly), the slug-like son of Grigon who would rather play than become a bloodthirsty warlord. Sure to be an instant hit with audiences thanks to his innocent disposition and infectious enthusiasm, Glordon swiftly befriends Elio and broadens his universe even more. Disney and Pixar have created a number of iconic friendships over the years; Glordon and Elio can easily be counted among the best of them.
Elio Will Get You Right In The Feels

It’s Got A Message That’s Increasingly Relevant These Days

And yet, I would stop short of calling Elio and Glordon’s friendship the heart of the movie, because it’s not. That would be the relationship between Elio and Olga, strained at first due to grief and misplaced desires. As Elio’s determination to head to space wars with Olga’s frazzled parenting efforts, the two are pushed apart, but it wouldn’t be a Disney movie if they didn’t eventually come back together. In a few instances, Elio went in directions I wasn’t expecting, but that almost always led to a scene that was more emotionally satisfying than anything I could’ve dreamed up. With an energetic Kibreab leading the pack, Elio’s voice cast brilliantly brings the diverse characters to life and enhances an already charming story. Like all good Pixar movies, it hits you right in the heart with its myriad themes of belonging, family, friendship, and exploration. I was especially struck by a moment depicting the strength that comes from unity and helping strangers; it resonated deeply, and even more so because of its timeliness. This movie made me laugh and tear up in equal measure, and I appreciate how it wears its heart on its sleeve. Much has been said about Pixar in the COVID era, with the studio experiencing both creative disappointment and mind-blowing success. Elio endured some difficulty in production — the movie itself was announced in 2022 and scheduled for 2024, but casting and directing changes, along with the writers’ and actors’ strikes last year, pushed it back — but that hardly shows onscreen. It is just as big-hearted and imaginative as Pixar’s best, poignantly reminding us all that even when it doesn’t feel like it, we are not alone. That’s a message we could all use these days, and I’m grateful Elio is the one to deliver it.

Elio

9/10

Release Date

June 20, 2025

Runtime

99 minutes

Director

Adrian Molina, Domee Shi, Madeline Sharafian

Writers

Adrian Molina

Yonas Kibreab

Elio Solis (voice)

Pros & Cons

Elio is a delightful, wonderful new character.
The world of the Communiverse is vibrant and bursting with creativity.
Elio’s relationships with Glordon and Olga are heartwarming.
It has a timely, poignant message.