Elio review: Sweet Pixar flick about finding friendship on the other side of the galaxy

In simpler terms, the story “Elio” revolves around a friendless boy forming an unusual bond with a solitary alien. Although it draws on familiar science fiction themes and often resembles classic genre works, its unique execution results in a touching, emotional narrative that can bring tears to your eyes.

Pixar’s brilliance lies in their ability to create animated films that captivate both kids and grown-ups, evoking feelings of joy and sorrow in a manner that challenges the mind yet comforts the soul.

One method often employed is through the tragic loss of a child’s parents. This trope, commonly referred to as “fridging” of the parents, has a rich history, with Disney – the parent company behind Pixar’s animated films – being particularly well-known for its usage.

In the film, Elio presents a rather conspicuous instance of that motif, as his deceased parents are mentioned in the beginning, and their absence casts a melancholy shadow over him throughout. However, this act of using the characters’ death (often referred to as fridging) seems justified here because loneliness is central to Elio’s struggles.

What is Elio about?

The main figure resides on an Air Force Base along with Aunt Olga, yet neither of them seem content. Aunt Olga works as a Space Debris Tracker, but yearns for the opportunity to become an astronaut herself. On the other hand, the protagonist’s struggles are more personal, stemming from longing for his family members who are absent.

On Earth, feeling isolated, Elio contemplates that life could be improved in the cosmos. He takes every possible step to entice an alien kidnapping, creatively employing the song ‘Once in a Lifetime’ by Talking Heads throughout the process.

In a whirlwind sequence of extraordinary circumstances, I’ve somehow managed to transmit a message out into the cosmos, establish communication with extraterrestrial life, and receive a reply. The message read, “Send us your leader,” followed by a charmingly courteous, “if you would be so kind.

Swiftly, Elio finds himself drawn toward the vast cosmos, initiating an extraordinary journey that unfolds as the adventure of a lifetime. During this voyage, extraterrestrial creatures aid the youth in understanding and relating to his aunt, and instill within him appreciation for what he possesses at home.

The central conflict in Elio

The journey begins with a space voyage reminiscent of Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey, placing young Elio aboard a spaceship destined for The Communiverse, an expansive intergalactic NATO populated by representatives from distant galaxies. In this cosmic gathering, it turns out that they all assume Elio, at only 11 years old, is the leader of Earth.

Strife swiftly emerges as a result of heated discussions with the formidable Lord Grigon, an intimidating alien adorned in fearsome armor, self-proclaimed as ‘The Blood Emperor.’ A title not promising a peaceful encounter.

Trouble arises when the Cosmos denies membership to Grigon, leading him to attempt a violent takeover. In response, Elio steps in to mediate the conflict, hoping to prevent violence and ensure his own place within the Cosmic organization.

The elephant/alien in the room

At first, Elio’s attempts to soothe Lord Grigon unexpectedly lead to a meeting between the two, and this encounter involves Glordon, a young extraterrestrial who shares similar struggles as Elio.

Although Glordon shares similarities with an elephant or a blind alien, he’s the focal point in our story. The film, titled “Elio,” mirrors “ET” but in a reversed manner. Just as Elliott and ET developed a unique bond, so does Elio and Glordon. Their friendship unfolds beautifully throughout the movie, culminating in an emotional climax that resonates similarly to the original tale.

It’s understandable that some elements of the movie seem familiar, as it pays tribute to other films with similar themes. However, Elio also contains references from various sci-fi movies. Some of these are subtle Easter eggs, like the nod to Terminator 2 or the scene where misunderstanding laughter for pain mirrors the trash compactor sequence in Star Wars.

As a devoted fan, I can’t help but notice some striking similarities to other sci-fi favorites. For instance, there’s an intriguing clone subplot that echoes scenes from The Last Starfighter. Plus, there’s a space battle where ground-dwelling geeks lend a hand to cosmic heroes, just as they did in Galaxy Quest.

To put it simply, despite my immense admiration for Elio’s performance, I found certain scenes in the movie surpassed by their counterparts elsewhere.

Big ideas and beautiful animation

Speaking of it, the animation in Elio is truly remarkable, especially noteworthy being the moment when Elio first enters space, where the universe comes alive with a vibrant spectacle of light and color through a kaleidoscopic display.

This place is teeming with extraordinary extraterrestrials, causing your gaze to flicker to every corner of the scene. However, the Communiverse offers captivating concepts and technology as well, such as the liquid super-computer that assists Elio upon his arrival, not forgetting a Universal User’s Manual that claims to comprehend the essence of life itself.

The issue lies in the fact that although the intriguing themes are introduced, they don’t receive enough development as the film shifts from its creative opening sequences to a more conventional action-adventure towards the end. Unfortunately, Aunty Olga’s character arc isn’t fully realized, and while the initial conflict is resolved with a message of peace and pacifism, it doesn’t quite reach the heights of Pixar’s most thought-provoking and imaginative third acts.

Is Elio good?

The film “Elio” offers an exciting blend of science fiction, dazzling visual effects, and plenty of humor, yet beneath its entertaining surface lies a poignant tale of two isolated individuals yearning for companionship.

The central idea that captivates children is the recurring motif, whereas for adults, particularly parents, the emotionally resonant moments occur when the connection between parental figures (or aunts/uncles) and their offspring surpasses all other universal powers.

The movie’s contents are delightful, though the ending may not quite live up to the rest of the film’s excellence. However, Elio still manages to deliver a deeply moving and tear-jerking conclusion that might prompt viewers to grab some tissues.

Elio score: 4/5

Elio’s story may not reach the emotional depth of Pixar’s masterpieces, yet it still presents a heartwarming narrative about family bonds, friendships, and discovering one’s place in the world.

On June 20, 2025, Elio will be made available, and for updates on other significant movie releases throughout the year, check out our 2025 Movie Calendar.

2025-06-17 19:20