Elio Review – A Pixar movie with a little less soul that you’re used to…

Let’s be real, Pixar movies used to feel like events. Monumental, can’t-miss, pre-book-your-seat-now moments. But Elio? It kind of appeared out of nowhere. No big fanfare. No aggressive trailer rollouts.

So let’s talk about it. Directed by Adrian Molina (one of the minds behind Coco) and featuring voices from Yonas Kibreab, America Ferrera and Jameela Jamil, Elio is Pixar’s latest animated plunge into the unknown. It’s a space adventure, but not in a Lightyear kind of way. Think more like Mass Effect Jr. meets Lilo & Stitch, with a sprinkle of Inside Out heart and some of that good ol’ “found family” flavor. It’s a decent space trip, but… it’s not the Pixar we fell in love with as children.

A Suprisingly Fun Movie

Watching Elio was kind of like biting into a cookie that looks like it might be oatmeal raisin, but ends up being chocolate chip. It surprised me.

The story kicks off with Elio, a sweet but lonely kid who’s kind of an oddball. He’s lost his father, lives with his well-meaning but overwhelmed mom (voiced by Ferrera), and just doesn’t feel like he fits anywhere. He spends his time doodling, hiding in his room, and pretty much hoping aliens abduct him just to escape the awkwardness of Earth. So when aliens do actually abduct him (as you do), the galactic council of weird and wonderful creatures decides that this kid must be the representative of Earth.

You’d expect him to panic or scream, but honestly, Elio kind of rolls with it. And that sets the tone for the rest of the movie – it’s chill, a little quirky, and very Pixar-lite. There’s a warm thread of humor and empathy throughout the whole thing, even when it leans into the classic intergalactic politics plot. Surprisingly, it never gets dull. Negotiations in a Pixar film sound like a recipe for nap time, but somehow, the emotional core keeps you interested. 🤝

Visually, Elio is… fine. It’s no Soul or Turning Red in terms of visual innovation, but the alien worlds are bright, colorful, and distinct enough to feel different. The designs definitely scream “AI-generated Heimlich from A Bug’s Life,” especially Elio’s wormy little sidekick, but there’s something charming about their simplicity.

The real standout, though, is Elio himself. Yonas Kibreab delivers a genuinely heartfelt performance that makes the kid instantly likable. Whether you’re still a kid or have long since traded your schoolbag for tax returns, it’s easy to connect with that deep-rooted feeling of being out of place.

And yeah, there are laughs. Some of the humor is a little on-the-nose and won’t land with all adults (or older kids for that matter), but the dynamic between Elio and the various aliens he meets brings a steady flow of chuckles and feel-good energy.

A screenshot from the movie Elio, by Pixar

It’s Not The Pixar You Remember…

Critically speaking, Elio lands in a bit of a weird spot. It’s not getting trashed online, but it’s not blowing people away either. The general vibe seems to be “Hey, that was cute,” rather than “YOU HAVE TO SEE THIS.”

One of the biggest knocks from other reviewers is the lack of world-building depth. For a film set in what is basically Pixar’s version of the Galactic Senate or Citadel (shoutout Mass Effect fans), it doesn’t really explore much. The alien races are cool to look at, but mostly forgettable. Then there’s the writing. The script feels a little… safe. It’s not bad, but you get the sense that this story could’ve been pushed further with a more daring tone or tighter comedic timing.

One area where the film really does deserve props though is the villain. Without giving too much away, there’s an actual layer of sympathy and nuance there. It’s not some generic alien baddie wanting to blow up Earth. There are real motivations and emotional stakes, which feels like classic Pixar trying to peek through. Unfortunately, it’s kind of hard to ignore how Elio feels like a slightly less emotive and captivating story, whereas past Pixar films had unforgettable supporting characters… this one’s cast just kind of exists.

Should You Take a Trip to the Elio Universe?

Elio is surprisingly heartfelt, light on its feet, and has a few genuinely touching moments. It’s the kind of movie where you leave the theater thinking “That was better than I expected,” but maybe not rushing to watch it again. My kids would love it and we’ll probably watch it again when it’s released digitally, but a second showing in theatres probably isn’t going to be happening.

It’s a safe, sweet movie that doesn’t quite live up to Pixar’s greatest hits, but also doesn’t crash and burn like some of their more recent experiments. The emotional beats are there, especially in the second half, and Elio’s personal journey about finding your place, understanding family, and accepting yourself… it does hit home.

But is it worth spending £50+ for a family trip to the cinema? Honestly… probably not. It kind of feels like Disney themselves weren’t sure what to do with this one, which is a shame because there’s a lot to love here if you give it a chance.

Pixar may not be in its golden age anymore, but Elio proves there’s still a spark in there, waiting to catch fire again.

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