Elio Review

How Elio Quietly Changed My Mind About Animated Sci-Fi

If you had told me a week ago that I’d find myself emotionally invested in an animated film about a boy whisked away by aliens, I would have politely smiled and changed the subject. I don’t watch cartoons — not since my younger years — and I’ve always believed space operas and intergalactic councils were stories best left to comic books and video games. But Elio, quite unexpectedly, challenged that assumption.

I came across this film while looking for something light to distract me after a long workday. I wasn’t expecting depth or resonance. I thought it might be pleasant background noise while I folded laundry. Instead, I found myself sitting down, laundry forgotten, utterly absorbed by a tender, visually stunning, and remarkably human story.

The Story of the Outcast

At its heart, Elio isn’t about aliens. It’s about belonging. The film follows Elio Solis, a quiet, socially awkward boy who feels out of place in his world. His mother, Olga, is a brilliant scientist leading secretive projects, and while their bond is affectionate, the emotional distance between them is palpable.

By a twist of fate, Elio is abducted by alien beings and mistaken for Earth’s ambassador. This scenario could have easily become a slapstick, overly whimsical affair. Instead, it’s handled with surprising sincerity. Elio stumbles through alien courts and unfamiliar customs not as a plucky hero, but as a frightened, ordinary child trying to survive circumstances far beyond his control.

As someone who often felt misplaced in my own youth, it struck a chord deeper than I anticipated.

A Visual Language of Its Own

What I perhaps underestimated most about modern animation — particularly Pixar’s — is its capacity for visual storytelling. The universe depicted in Elio is richly imaginative without descending into cliché. The design of alien worlds, beings, and landscapes is nothing short of breathtaking, each scene painted with colors and textures that feel both otherworldly and emotionally evocative.

Even without dialogue, certain moments carry weight through visuals alone. A quiet glance between characters, the shift of light in a cosmic chamber, or the slow drift of a solitary figure through stardust — these sequences communicated more than many live-action dramas I’ve seen this year.

Themes That Linger

What impressed me most about Elio is its understanding of fear and courage. The film doesn’t celebrate bravery as the absence of fear but as the decision to keep moving despite it. Elio isn’t transformed into a superhero by the end. He remains himself — uncertain, awkward, and deeply human. Yet, by facing what frightens him, he finds a quiet strength. It’s a message more authentic than many adult-oriented films attempt.

Moreover, the relationship between Elio and his mother felt honest. It’s rare to see mother-son dynamics depicted with such warmth and complexity in any genre, let alone in an animated feature. Olga is flawed, distracted by her work, and yet profoundly devoted. Their moments together anchor the film in reality, grounding its fantastical elements in something tangible and deeply relatable.

Final Reflections

I won’t claim Elio has turned me into a die-hard fan of animated space adventures. However, it reminded me why stories — in any form — matter. Beneath its extraterrestrial premise, the film speaks about identity, connection, and the universal yearning to be understood. It reminded me that animation isn’t a genre reserved for children or enthusiasts; it’s a medium capable of profound emotional storytelling.

I left the film not only entertained but gently moved. Elio carries a quiet wisdom about the human experience, dressed in interstellar robes. And for that, I’m grateful I gave it a chance.