Elio

Honestly, I was dead set on rewatching Wall-E for the umpteenth time, but something about the poster caught my eye — a little boy floating in a swirl of stars, looking just as lost and curious as I’ve felt most of my life. So, I bought a ticket, grabbed an unreasonably large tub of popcorn, and let Pixar take the wheel.

And, wow.

A Story for the Outsiders

Let me start by saying Elio isn’t your typical hero’s journey. Elio Solis is no cape-wearing, monster-fighting, chosen one. He’s a dreamy, awkward, artistic kid who likes to talk to imaginary friends and doodle in his notebook. Which is probably why I saw myself in him within five minutes.

The story kicks off when Elio, through a series of hilarious mishaps, gets mistaken for Earth’s ambassador to a massive intergalactic council. Picture Men in Black mixed with E.T. and a sprinkle of Guardians of the Galaxy, but wrapped in Pixar’s signature heart and humor.

I laughed. I teared up. I cheered when Elio faced down glowing alien beings shaped like floating crystals and gelatin clouds. And the best part? He never becomes a flawless, wise-cracking space hero. He stays Elio — scared, brave, weird, and wonderful.

The Animation Blew My Tiny Mind

Pixar’s animation has always been top-tier, but Elio feels like a step into a different dimension. The aliens are bizarre in the best possible way. One looked like a giant sentient soap bubble, another like a jellyfish made of glass and light. The galactic council chamber? Picture a cathedral built by stardust and daydreams.

The colors alone are worth the price of admission. Soft purples, glowing blues, bursts of gold — every frame looked like a painting I wanted to hang in my bedroom.

Mom and Son, Saving the World

Now, I can’t talk about this film without mentioning Elio’s mom, Olga. She’s a total powerhouse — a government scientist who’s juggling classified alien projects and single parenthood like a pro. Their relationship is the heartbeat of this story.

It’s tender, a little messy, and achingly real. There’s a scene (no spoilers) where Elio confesses something to his mom that hit me like a punch to the chest. You could hear a pin drop in the theater.

Music to Get Lost In

The soundtrack? Out of this world. Ethereal chimes, pulsing electronic beats, and tender piano melodies that sneak up on you when you least expect it. It added so much to the vibe, making you feel like you were floating right alongside Elio.