You know those Pixar movies that start with a lump in your throat and end with you pretending it’s just allergies? Yeah, “Elio” is one of those. Schmaltzy? Sure. Predictable? Very. But when it hits, it hits like a cosmic hug—especially if you’ve ever felt lost, lonely, or a little bit out of place on this big blue planet.
With three directors at the helm—Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi (of “Turning Red” fame), and Adrian Molinato—“Elio” doesn’t try to reinvent the Pixar wheel. Instead, it gives us a story about loss, belonging, and the grand cosmic search for connection… wrapped in vibrant animation and sprinkled with references that sci-fi fans and kids alike will appreciate. Think “Lilo & Stitch” meets “Galaxy Quest,” with a dash of “Close Encounters” and a glowing, green-and-blue visual palette that makes you want to crawl into the screen.
Let’s dig into why “Elio” works, even when it plays it safe.
Meet Elio: A Dreamer Grieving Under the Stars
Our story centers on Elio Solis, voiced with raw emotion by Yonas Kibreab. He’s a young boy navigating the deep, aching void left by the death of his parents. Raised now by his aunt, Major Olga Solis (voiced by the ever-reliable Zoe Saldaña), Elio spends his days lost in thought and space-themed daydreams.
We meet him at a place where many dreams have launched: an air and space museum. It’s here that he comes across an exhibit about the legendary Voyager spacecrafts—the twin probes launched in 1977, carrying gold discs filled with messages from Earth. To Elio, it’s more than history; it’s hope. The kind of hope only a lonely kid can cling to—that maybe, just maybe, someone out there is listening.
Elio starts dreaming not just about aliens, but about finding something—a purpose, a voice, a way to escape the weight of grief he can’t articulate. This quiet pain shapes his every move, from cutting school to carving messages in the sand, hoping they’ll travel across the stars.
Olga: The Aunt Who Shelved Her Dreams
Enter Olga, his aunt and caretaker, who happens to be a brilliant Air Force officer. She’s given up her own dreams of becoming an astronaut to raise Elio—a sacrifice he doesn’t quite appreciate. If this setup reminds you of “Lilo & Stitch,” you’re not wrong. Pixar knows what works, and they’re not shy about reusing a familiar family dynamic.
Olga is doing her best, but Elio, in his grief, only sees a jailer—not a guardian. There’s tension, resentment, and that painful chasm that grows between people when both are hurting but neither knows how to say it. And yet, their bond is the emotional spine of the film.
Elio’s coping mechanism? Trying to make contact with aliens. Because when the people around you don’t seem to understand your pain, it’s not that crazy to believe maybe someone from another galaxy will.
The Communiverse Calls
And then… it happens. Aliens respond.
It turns out that one of the Voyagers has been intercepted by a massive intergalactic coalition known as the Communiverse—a sort of cosmic United Nations composed of every alien species you can imagine. Their goal? Peaceful unity across the galaxies. Their response to Earth’s message? An invitation. But thanks to a case of mistaken identity, they believe Elio is the leader of Earth.
Yes, you read that right. A grieving kid with a dream is now Earth’s ambassador to the stars.
This mix-up catapults Elio into space—literally—and what unfolds is a series of colorful, comedic, and surprisingly touching events where our Earthling hero must prove his worth to the Communiverse and show he belongs in a galaxy that doesn’t know what to make of him.
Enter the Antagonist… Sort Of
Of course, no intergalactic adventure would be complete without a villain. Enter Lord Grigon, voiced with gravitas and pathos by Brad Garrett. He’s a once-powerful emperor who was denied membership in the Communiverse, and he’s not exactly thrilled about it. His solution? Threaten to destroy the whole thing.
But here’s where “Elio” does something smart. Instead of turning Lord Grigon into a one-note baddie, the movie adds depth. We meet Glordon, his son—a soft-spoken, sweet-hearted kid who wants none of the galactic warlord business. Voiced by Remy Edgerly, Glordon ends up forming a touching bond with Elio, becoming both a hostage and a friend in one of the film’s most endearing subplots.
Their relationship? A classic odd-couple pairing that slowly transforms into something meaningful. It’s through Glordon that Elio learns about legacy, choice, and how trauma doesn’t have to dictate who we become. Their friendship becomes a surprising emotional anchor.
Visuals, Vibes, and Very Familiar Tropes
On the surface, “Elio” plays like a Pinterest board of sci-fi inspiration. There are clear nods to “Close Encounters of the Third Kind,” hints of “Friday the 13th” (yes, really), and callbacks to both classic Pixar and general pop culture. It’s not a revolutionary movie, visually or narratively, but the design of the Communiverse and its many creatures is still imaginative enough to engage both young viewers and adult fans.
But if you’re an adult watching this, chances are you’ll be five steps ahead of the plot. From the moment Elio is beamed up, it’s pretty clear where things are headed. That said, being predictable isn’t always a bad thing—especially when a story is told with heart.
The Emotional Core: Trust, Loss, and Finding Your Place
Where “Elio” really shines is in its emotional third act. That’s when the sentimentality kicks into overdrive, and yes, it’s loud. The script, written by Julia Cho, Mark Hammer, and Mike Jones, doesn’t shy away from spelling things out. Sometimes literally.
You’ll hear characters say how they feel, what they’re learning, and what they’ve lost. And while that may seem a bit heavy-handed—especially when Pixar has previously mastered the “show, don’t tell” technique—the themes still land. Love. Grief. Acceptance. The yearning for connection. These are big feelings, and “Elio” isn’t afraid to let them take center stage.
There are moments when the film’s beauty, its world-building, and its color-drenched landscapes do the emotional lifting. But too often, the characters explain what we’re already feeling. That might be a critique for adults, but for kids just learning how to process emotions, it’s not the worst choice.
The Quiet Magic of Montages and Music
Despite the script’s verbal intensity, “Elio” knows when to let visuals do the work. A couple of well-placed montages—especially those showcasing Elio and Glordon’s friendship—speak volumes without dialogue. And the score? Subtle, but effective. It hums with wonder, sorrow, and optimism, all at once.
There’s also something incredibly soothing about the film’s color palette. The use of soft greens and blues gives “Elio” a dreamy tone that matches its themes of interstellar longing. It’s not as eye-popping as some Pixar movies, but it’s emotionally resonant—and that matters more here.
Flaws in the Orbit
That said, “Elio” isn’t without hiccups. Some characters are introduced with flourish only to vanish without explanation. The Communiverse is a wild, fascinating place, but its members are mostly background noise. The pacing occasionally stutters, especially when juggling its Earthbound beginnings and space-age hijinks.
And while it took three directors to bring the story to screen, the overall tone feels a bit scattered. Is it a zany adventure? A grief meditation? A buddy comedy? It tries to be all of them—and doesn’t always juggle those tones seamlessly.
So, Is It Worth the Ride?
Here’s the thing: Pixar doesn’t always need to change the game to leave a mark. Sometimes, all it takes is sincerity. “Elio” may not be groundbreaking, but it gets something that too many films forget—how powerful it is to believe someone out there cares. That even the weirdest kid, the loneliest soul, or the quietest dreamer has value.
And in that sense, “Elio” delivers. By the time the credits roll, wounds are healing, bonds are mended, and love—familial, platonic, intergalactic—is the glue holding everything together. You may see every twist coming, but that won’t stop you from reaching for the tissues.
Final Thoughts
“Elio” is that friend who tells you a familiar story in a new voice. You know where it’s going, but you still want to hear it—because they mean it. This Pixar outing might not reinvent the wheel, but it understands why we look up at the stars and whisper into the unknown. It believes in hope, in love, and in second chances. And sometimes, that’s exactly what we need.
So if you’ve ever felt like the only human on an alien planet—or just wish someone could hear you from across the galaxy—“Elio” might just be the comfort movie you didn’t know you needed.
