🎬 Reel Review: Elio

Pixar goes interstellar with Elio, a colorful coming-of-age story wrapped in space opera packaging. When a soft-spoken misfit gets mistaken for Earth’s leader, he’s pulled into an alien diplomatic circus that’s part trial, part therapy session. Yonas Kibreab is the beating heart here—funny, fragile, and fully human. Zoe Saldaña brings quiet steel as his aunt, anchoring the emotional weight. The world building leans whimsical over deep, but the designs pop, and the Communiverse council steals scenes. It’s not as soul-crushing as Inside Out or as daring as Wall-E, but Elio doesn’t need to be. It’s odd, tender, and aimed squarely at the kids who never quite felt like they belonged. Mitten’s verdict: An offbeat, heartfelt beam of light for the ones still trying to find their voice. Rated: 7.6 out of 10.