Elio

A Kid, Some Aliens, and Pixar’s Ongoing Mission to Emotionally Break Parents

Elio is Pixar’s latest entry in their “What If Feelings Had Feelings?” cinematic universe. This time, instead of toys or emotions or the concept of death, they’ve decided to traumatize us through the lens of intergalactic diplomacy. Because nothing says “family entertainment” like a shy middle schooler accidentally becoming Earth’s ambassador to a council of extremely judgmental aliens.

I haven’t seen it. But I’ve watched the trailer, read the early buzz, and sat through several YouTube reaction videos featuring grown adults tearing up at a teaser involving an alien blob hugging a child. So yes, I’m fully emotionally compromised.

The plot follows Elio, a socially awkward 11-year-old who somehow gets beamed up into space after answering the phone wrong, and is immediately informed that he represents all of humanity. Naturally, the fate of the species now rests on the diplomatic skills of someone who still mispronounces “quesadilla.”

The alien council looks like something out of a Lisa Frank fever dream: glowing jellyfish overlords, sentient geometric shapes, and one creature that appears to be a living mood ring. Meanwhile, back on Earth, Elio’s mom—who works for a secret government agency—probably reacts like any parent would: equal parts panic, denial, and trying to find a Wi-Fi signal strong enough to yell at NASA.

Critics are already calling it “visually stunning” and “deeply heartfelt,” which is Pixar code for “You will cry, and you won’t know why.” The real plot twist isn’t whether Elio saves humanity, it’s how many parents will sob uncontrollably at the inevitable emotional monologue about being misunderstood, belonging, and loving your weird kid for who they are.

Also, based on Pixar tradition, there’s probably a heartbreaking scene involving a stuffed animal, a flashback, and at least one emotionally devastating music cue designed to haunt you for days.

Elio is about identity, family, and the crushing weight of representing Earth while still being grounded if your grades drop. It’s funny. It’s colorful. And it’s one more reminder that Pixar is fully committed to emotionally ruining everyone under the guise of animated wonder.

I give it 4 out of 5 galactic therapy sessions, and I assume at least one alien learns what a juice box is and questions whether humans should be allowed to exist.