Elio
Charming and hopeful, Elio is a poignant exploration of escape and human loneliness, with strong vocal performances by Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldaña, Remy Edgerly, Brad Garrett and Jameela Jamil. Following the heartbreaking journey to acceptance by 11-year-old Elio, this animated feature utilises the vast expanse of the universe as a metaphor for the haunting fear of being alone, and the various coping mechanisms a person can have in their effort to process grief.
Right from the first scene, there’s an undertone of sorrow and struggle, as the audience is introduced to Elio, hiding under the table and refusing to eat. The death of his parents leaves his aunt juggling to take care of him on top of her high-intensity job of navigating the debris in space. Elio, unable to connect with his peers, hyper-fixates on the idea of aliens abducting him so that he can find a place where he is wanted and loved. A series of miscommunications leads him to the Communiverse, where he masquerades as the leader of Earth and is forced to negotiate peace with Lord Grigon, a warlord bent on becoming one of the Communiverse’s ambassadors.
Elio is an endearing protagonist, full of the innocent mischief of a child, and a striking maturity that understands the fickleness of people and the fragility of human life. He makes mistakes and constantly lies; his desperation for someone to understand weighs heavily on the viewers’ hearts. The frustration one feels about his reckless decisions and thoughtless actions works in tandem with the magnetic charisma he has. This creates a complex dynamic between Elio and the audience that perfectly mirrors that of his relationship with his Aunt Olga.
Parenting woes, in general, are one of the main points of Elio, as seen through Olga and Lord Grigon. Their exasperation and perceptive affection for their children evoke a contentious yet joyful presentation of familial love. Beyond that, the movie touches on loneliness and community. The bond Elio forms with the aliens he meets is one of the most significant facets of the picture. Elio and Glordon, specifically, are an entertaining duo. Both clever and sarcastic, yet openly expressive, the two accentuate through their interactions the lack of barriers children have in building friendships.
The production for the piece further elevates its themes, with the Communiverse showcased as an alluring and wonderful place, full of infinite possibilities. Animation and cinematography build this immersive world, while the score guides the audience through the emotional beats of the feature. The balance between adventure and character depth weaves an inspiring tale that masterfully affirms a sense of belonging for Elio and the viewers. However, where the production falls short is the character designs. Each comes across as synthetic, lacking in texture and unique identifiers, especially the human characters. It’s a small but distracting aspect, holding it back from true cinematic excellence.
However, that doesn’t dilute the happiness and beauty one can find in Elio. At the core of its grandiose depiction of space and extraterrestrial life, it’s a simple story of family, friendship, and the never-ending search for escape. Elio stands as a reminder that one is not alone; there are people out there with plenty of compassion and love to give.
Mae Trumata
Elio is released nationwide on 20th June 2025.
Watch the trailer for Elio here:
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