'Elio' review: Pixar's latest gets lost in space

Courtesy of Disney/Pixar

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After the massive success of last summer’s “Inside Out 2,” Pixar has returned to what it does best: creating original, home-grown stories. Unfortunately, their latest effort, the lushly animated “Elio,” doesn't live up to the studio’s earlier standards. Its overreliance on familiar themes—family, friendship, and acceptance—makes it feel more like a checklist than a compelling story. Once revered as the leader in animated storytelling, Pixar seems to have lost its mojo.

That’s not to say they aren’t trying. I respect Pixar’s commitment to introducing new characters in an entertainment landscape dominated by recycled franchises. You can’t get a $1.6 billion hit like “Inside Out 2” without first taking a chance on “Inside Out.” The same goes for the recently announced “Coco 2.” But “Elio” isn’t in the same league. Its story feels thin, aimed primarily at children under eight. And while there’s nothing wrong with targeting a younger audience, Pixar used to be known for stories that resonated with all ages, films where parents found just as much to love as their kids. That’s simply not the case here.

“Elemental,” while not top-tier Pixar, at least offered a fresh concept—anthropomorphized elements in a romantic comedy setting. “Elio,” in contrast, follows a more basic storyline: a young boy coping with grief who dreams of being abducted by aliens.

Elio (voiced by Yonas Kibreab) isn’t your average kid. He’s clearly neurodivergent and portrayed as impulsively destructive, with the film attempting to make children who share those traits feel seen. It’s sweet at first, but eventually starts to feel a bit like pandering. After his aunt (voiced by Zoe Saldana) takes custody of him, the two struggle to connect emotionally.

Eventually, Elio’s wish comes true, and he’s whisked away to a vibrant alien society called the “Communiverse.” Mistaken for Earth’s ambassador, he’s thrown into a diplomatic mission involving an aggressive warlord named Grigon (Brad Garrett). Along the way, he forms a friendship with Grigon’s son, Glordon (Remy Edgerly), which becomes the film’s strongest emotional thread.

That budding friendship is one of the few aspects that truly works, Pixar has always excelled at heartfelt relationships. Unfortunately, the rest of the film feels generic and forgettable. There are no real surprises, no standout laughs, and little emotional depth.

As expected, the animation is beautiful and lovingly crafted, but co-directors Madeline Sharafian and Domee Shi struggle to maintain momentum. The film throws a lot at the screen—colorful set pieces, fast-paced sequences, a climactic space chase—but few of these moments leave a lasting impact. Even the film’s central relationship between Elio and his aunt never reaches the emotional payoff it aims for. By the time the ending rolls around, in which Elio must decide where he truly belongs, it's all par for the course.

“Elio” carries a positive message about being true to yourself and feeling accepted by your family, but it’s nothing we haven’t heard before. Pixar used to weave these themes into bold, imaginative stories—think “Up” or “Finding Nemo”—that captivated audiences of all ages. Now, the studio feels more like a reflection of the formulaic storytelling it once set out to disrupt. They used to soar; now, they’ve drifted back to Earth.

Grade: C

ELIO is now playing in theaters.