Although PIXAR’s latest film, Elio, doesn’t quite soar to the heights of the studio’s earlier space-set stories, its heart is undeniably in the right place. The film follows a young boy (voiced by Yonas Kibreab) grappling with loneliness after the loss of his parents. Isolated at school and barely bonding with his overworked aunt, Elio retreats into daydreams of the stars—until one night, fantasy becomes reality.
Rather than face military camp, he sends a hopeful message into space, only to be abducted by aliens who hilariously misinterpret his call as an official message from Earth’s leader. The setup is absurd in the best way, and kicks off a cosmic misadventure through a bizarre intergalactic council known as the Communiverse.
Instead of probing deep space with heavy themes like Wall·E did, Elio takes a lighter route, blending the humor and heart of Lilo & Stitch with the comedic alien confusion of Home. The parallels are clear but never overpower the film’s identity. However, a major story development echoes the latter movie a bit too closely—it’s not a twist that surprises.
Lord Grigon (Brad Garrett) emerges as a classic animated villain—loud, theatrical, and just threatening enough. After being denied entry into this galactic alliance, he vows to conquer it instead. It’s a familiar arc, and while entertaining, it brings nothing especially new.
As Elio stumbles through his mistaken identity and galactic diplomacy, the film delivers a heartfelt message about self-worth and finding your voice. The animation is top-tier as always, and Kibreab’s performance adds a warm vulnerability to the character. Yet the pacing lags in parts, and the plot never hits that emotional peak audiences expect from PIXAR’s best.
The creative team—Adrian Molina, Madeline Sharafian, and Domee Shi—bring heart to the project, but unlike their earlier successes with Turning Red and Coco, Elio doesn’t quite resonate on the same level. It’s charming, but not groundbreaking.
Still, there’s fun to be had for sci-fi fans. The usual PIXAR Easter eggs are sprinkled in, and a possible obscure nod comes in the form of a character named Gunther Melmac—possibly a reference to Mork and Mindy, a 1970s sitcom. Whether intentional or not, it’s a cute detail.
While Elio might not make many “Best of PIXAR” lists, it’s an enjoyable entry into a genre the studio rarely explores. It won’t inspire future astrophysicists like some of its predecessors, but it still offers enough heart and spectacle to entertain—and maybe even comfort—young dreamers who feel out of place.
3 Stars out of 5
Elio Movie Trailer
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