‘Elio’ Teaches Audiences That Being Unique Doesn’t Mean They’re Alone
Everyone, at least, some of us have daydreamed about getting abducted by aliens. In “Elio,” we get a glimpse of what could happen if we did.
Directed by “Coco” director Adrian Molina and rounded up by “Turning Red” director Domee Shi and Madeline Sharafan, “Elio” is a space adventure and coming-of-age story following an 11-year-old Elio Solis, whose love for space and aliens leads him to becoming the accidental ambassador of Earth and forming bonds with alien lifeforms.
The cast of ”Elio” included Yonas Kibreab as Elio Solis, Zoe Saldaña as Olga Solis, Remy Edgerly as Glordon, Brandon Moon as Helix, Brad Garett as Lord Grigon, and Jameela Jamil as Questa.
The Beat Manila was able to get first dibs in watching “Elio” as soon as it premiered in Manila last June 18, 2025, where kids and kids at heart witnessed Elio’s grand intergalactic adventure on the big screen.
Our verdict? It’s definitely at par with Disney-Pixar’s past films, and their magic hits the same way that they did all those years ago, as if we never really grew up.
Lessons on Loneliness, Heart, and Finding Where You Belong
If there was one thing Disney-Pixar’s recent films have mastered, it’s tapping into the emotional core of today’s youth. “Inside Out” and its sequel gave a glimpse into the feelings and emotions we didn’t even know about. “Soul” reminded us that it’s okay to feel lost and that finding our purpose isn’t something we chase, but something we live. “Turning Red” transformed the cringey-ness of puberty and growing pains into something oddly empowering.
Now, “Elio” presents a quieter, yet profound feeling into the forefront: loneliness.
Right off the bat, we meet 11-year-old Elio — a boy obsessed with space and who doesn’t quite fit in. But this movie isn’t your typical “I have to save the world so people will accept me!” kind of adventure trope. Instead, it’s a story that shows what it means to feel isolated, and how loneliness can sometimes feel like you’re stuck in space with no way out.
But “Elio” isn’t just about a sad kid seeking validation or about cliques. It still has those whimsical, funny, and heartfelt parts that are unmistakably Pixar. The cosmic visuals were stunningly beautiful, but that isn’t the highlight of the film. It’s the quiet moments, silent yearning, and pain masked behind the self-depreciating humor that hit the hardest.
When Elio is misunderstood by his Aunt Olga and the entire Communiverse, it mirrors the pain that many kids feel here on Earth — when the people closest to them don’t get them. Like Elio, they hide their pain behind jokes, pranks, or silence, and search for validation elsewhere.
But surprisingly, that’s where the magic of the film comes from.
There’s also a tenderness to the film’s pacing, echoing the way we try to approach those who seem unreachable. It begins like a quiet adagio, slowly unfolding, then swelling into a crescendo as Elio does everything to make things right, even when things start to look bleak. The film lands its punches softly but surely, ending on a hopeful note — with Elio finally finding his place on Earth.
Some lines, too, cut deeper than expected, delivering punches to the places you thought you’ve already left behind. This owes to the cast’s amazing and emotional delivery. Yonas Kibreab, as Elio, channels the misunderstood yet deeply sentimental child with raw sincerity; there weren’t any faults in his delivery. Zoe Saldaña brings such heart to Olga, Elio’s frazzled and doting aunt, embodying that “I’m trying my best!” kind of chaos that every parent feels. Jameela Jamil’s calm and cosmic authority as Questa adds a stable presence in the already chaotic series of events, balancing everything in the film.
Final Verdict
“Elio” is one of those films that earns a place in your list of “comfort movies” almost immediately, taking viewers into an adventure through space and the unknown — both literally and metaphorically. If you grew up watching Disney-Pixar films, then it would be a no-brainer: this one carries the same emotional weight just like the others, but it’s quieter, and more introspective.
It’s not a film that demands big actions or loud exclamations. Instead, it tugs into your heartstrings just a bit. If you’ve ever felt like a fish out of water, misunderstood, or looking for a place to belong out in the universe just like Elio, this movie holds your hand tenderly and reassuringly.
In the end, we are never truly alone, and “Elio” reminds us that even if we’re not always understood and unique, there will always be someone out there who sees us and loves us, for who we are.
Okay, bye, I love you!
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