Elio

All trademarks belong to their respective owners

Elio review

You know those weekends where you promise your kid you’ll do something together, and before you know it, you’re sitting in a movie theater with a large popcorn you didn’t really want, watching a film you’re pretty sure isn’t meant for you? That was me last Saturday. My daughter, Mia, begged to see Elio, this new animated movie about a boy who gets abducted by aliens. I figured I’d humor her, maybe catch a quick nap in the dark, and let her have her fun.

Turns out, the only thing I missed was my own expectations. Because somewhere between the colorful alien worlds and the awkward little kid trying to figure out his place in the universe, I got pulled in. Big time.

The Kind of Story That Sneaks Up on You

Elio starts out like your typical animated flick — quirky kid, eccentric single mom, some sci-fi mystery brewing in the background. I expected jokes aimed at kids and a thin plot to string together some shiny visuals. What I didn’t expect was a story about what it means to be the odd one out, about being scared and brave at the same time, and about how even us regular folks can matter in ways we don’t realize.

Elio, the main character, isn’t your classic hero. He’s shy, a little weird (my daughter kept whispering “he’s just like me!”), and mostly just trying to get through life without embarrassing himself. When he gets mistaken for Earth’s ambassador by a council of bizarre aliens, you think it’s going to be one of those “kid saves the day” plots. And it kind of is — but it’s also a lot more.

More Than Just a Kids’ Movie

The thing about Elio is that it isn’t afraid to slow down and be quiet sometimes. In between the humor and wacky alien designs (some of which cracked me up more than Mia, if I’m honest), there are these surprisingly emotional moments. Scenes where Elio misses his mom. Moments when he faces stuff that terrifies him. And little exchanges that remind you what it felt like to be a kid who didn’t fit in.

As a father, it hit me in a place I wasn’t expecting. It made me think about my own daughter and all the invisible things she might be carrying around that I don’t always see. It reminded me how important it is to let her know she matters, even when she feels small in a big, weird world.

Top-Notch Animation (Even for an Old Guy Like Me)

Now, I’m not a huge animation buff, but credit where it’s due — Elio looks fantastic. The alien worlds were bursting with color and creativity, and there were a few scenes I honestly wish I could have paused just to take it all in. The character designs struck that perfect balance between strange and charming, and the whole thing felt like it had its own visual language.

The soundtrack was great too. Not overpowering, just the right touch of grand sci-fi themes and softer melodies when the story called for it.

A Movie That Left Us Talking

By the time the credits rolled, Mia was bouncing in her seat, chattering about her favorite aliens and asking if we could buy the toys (I told her we’d see). But what surprised me was how much we ended up talking about the story. About being brave when you’re scared. About speaking up, even when you don’t have all the answers. About how sometimes, your weirdness is your superpower.

And for a dad like me — who thought he was just tagging along for a kid’s cartoon — that was worth every minute.

If you’re a parent thinking about whether to take your kid to see Elio, stop thinking about it and go. You might come for them, but you’ll stay for yourself. And you’ll both leave with something to talk about.

Want me to spin one more in a “grumpy uncle who secretly loves cartoons” style too? I can — just say the word.