Easily one of the biggest surprises at the Golden Globes, was Flow winning Best Animated Picture. This indie darling was the underdog (or perhaps undercat would be more fitting) in its category, so beating juggernauts like Inside Out 2 and The Wild Robot was a crowning achievement that few could’ve predicted. Now that I’ve seen the movie myself, I can whole heartedly say it deserves the win.
When it comes to animated movies, there’s often this temptation to go over-the-top, filling every frame with hyperactive action to keep younger viewers entertained. Flow resists that urge. It’s calm, measured, and has moments of stillness that allow for reflection, never trying too hard to grab your attention. This isn’t a movie where the characters are constantly spitting out one-liners (or any dialogue at all) or leaping into high energy action sequences to keep the pace up. Instead, it’s a more thoughtful, immersive experience.
The film tells a minimalist yet emotionally impactful story set in a world that feels alive yet lost to time. Those who’ve seen The Wild Robot will notice similar themes, but Flow approaches and presents those themes in a very different way. The absence of dialogue doesn’t hurt the movie’s ability to convey its ideas, but also leaves room for individual interpretations. Whether you view this story as something metaphorical, spiritual, or simply at face value, chances are it will affect you on an emotional level. The animals beautifully convey the necessary emotion and expressiveness, but also still feel like actual animals (albeit ones that can steer a boat).
I’ll admit, within the first few frames, I was ready to dismiss the animation style as inferior, questioning how it won over its gorgeously rendered competition. But that really isn’t fair, is it? This film was made for a mere 3.5 million (Compared to Inside Out 2’s 200 million) using Blender - a free, open source rendering tool. Once I accepted it was never going to look as polished as a major studio production, I began to fall in love with everything it did have to offer. Set in a world that’s been decimated by colossal flooding, the design of the environments is breathtaking. Stone structures covered in moss and worn-down wooden ships surrounded by endless ocean made for a unique and engrossing setting for the story to unfold. The score brilliantly conveys a sense of wonder, hope and fear of an unknown fate. Honestly, it’s one of my favourite scores of the year.
Flow is an animated gem that genuinely has something to offer all audiences. It lacks the polish of big studio productions, but emerges triumphant due to its hauntingly immersive world, loveable group of characters, and a story that resonates on a deep emotional level.
4.5/5
Review by: Benjamin Garrett