Flow attempts to push the boundaries of visual storytelling in the animated genre, and in many ways, it succeeds. Created entirely using Blender rendering software, typically reserved for 3D video game sprites, the film builds a nearly 90-minute animated feature filled with an abundance of visual ideas and thematic density. It’s a technical marvel that redefines the potential of its medium through its innovative use of technology.
Told entirely without dialogue, Flow isn’t a silent movie—it’s rich with sonic elements that effectively place viewers in the peculiar, often perilous situations encountered by the feline protagonist. The story centers on this cat’s struggle to survive a natural disaster threatening its home, all while forming fleeting alliances with other animals on a journey of survival. The film relies solely on its visual language, using expressive animation and strikingly creative compositions to convey emotional stakes and propel the narrative.
Flow has been widely acclaimed, even earning the distinction of Latvia’s selection for Best Foreign Film at this year’s Academy Awards. This places it in rarefied air, alongside a select few animated films that have a legitimate shot at being nominated in the Foreign Film category. It’s a remarkable achievement, given the typically limited representation of animated films in that category.
And I’ll say—I liked it. It’s a visual feast. The cat protagonist meets a handful of animals throughout its journey, making the story inventive enough to keep you invested. Eventually, the cat finds a boat to sail on, and you follow the creature’s journey to different lands, each with its own distinct characteristics. Perhaps the film’s greatest accomplishment is its ability to feel vast and deep, despite the technical approach with which it was crafted. The world it builds feels rich and immersive, even without the use of dialogue.
However, I couldn’t help but feel that Flow is more of a trial of form and function than a truly enjoyable experience from beginning to end. It’s impressive to marvel at, but there’s a sense that something is missing. In many ways, Flow feels like The Wild Robot stole this movie’s lunch. Both share a similar painterly aesthetic, not unlike a demo you might expect to come with the latest video game console, like a PlayStation. While Flow is certainly a visual spectacle, it struggles to fully capture the emotional depth or engaging narrative that would make it much, much more than just a technical achievement.
Thematically, Flow and The Wild Robot aren’t all that different. Both explore fleeting moments of animals coming together to find family and community, despite their differences. Each film grows more emotional as it progresses, and while they occasionally come close to veering into sentimentality and twee territory, they never quite cross that line.
However, I think The Wild Robot ultimately becomes a bit easier to sink into. Sure, part of that is due to the difference in language—The Wild Robot is in English, while Flow has no dialogue at all. I also had the chance to see The Wild Robot in theaters, while I watched Flow at home via a screener. The Wild Robot feels grand and expansive in its storytelling, while Flow feels a bit more insular and artful. I still appreciate the latter, but it feels less accessible on the surface. As a result, The Wild Robot has more replayability, offering a deeper emotional connection and a more engaging experience overall.
Flow is good, but it feels slightly underwhelming as a contender for Best Animated Feature and Best International Feature. We’re currently in a really good year for animated movies, with films like The Wild Robot, Chicken for Linda, Memoir of a Snail, and ME pushing boundaries in ways that Flow doesn’t quite match. While Flow certainly has its merits—it’s visually stunning and offers a unique, sweet watch—it doesn’t feel as expansive or groundbreaking as its competitors. Instead, Flow is a solid, enjoyable film that goes down easy, but it doesn’t quite rise to the level of the truly boundary-pushing animated films that have come before it.
Score: 6/10
