by Rosa Parra
“The Wild Robot” was written and directed by Chris Sanders. It stars the voices of Lupita Nyong’O, Pedro Pascal, Catherine O’Hara, Bill Nighy, Kit Connor, and Stephanie Hsu. The movie follows a robot named Rozz (Nyong’O), who must adapt to the island it is shipwrecked on. There, Roz meets various animals and becomes the adoptive parent of an orphaned gosling.
Animation has recently become one of the most enriching and exciting filmmaking mediums. I can’t think of a better-suited film for which the Guillermo del Toro quote “Animation is cinema” is applicable. The Wild Robot is a perfect film, period.
With the advancements in technology and the introduction of AI, we’ve seen movies depicting the relationship between technological advancements and humans, or, in this case, nature. We follow the journey of Rozzum 7134, or “Roz” for short. Roz is shipwrecked on an island where they must learn to adapt to their new surroundings while attempting to follow their programming. The robot is conditioned (or programmed) to accomplish tasks and do as commanded. Roz encounters an orphaned gosling who becomes her next task. By wonderfully exploring the intricacies of technology and nature and the probabilities of coexisting, this film pulls on the emotional heartstrings while having several comedic moments.
We soon meet Fint (wonderfully voiced by Pascal), a mischievous fox trying to survive the day and has his eye on the gosling for his next meal. We also come across an opossum, Pinktail (hilariously voiced by O’Hara), who is raising her babies and offers Roz some parenting advice. Hands down, this opossum has some of the most laugh out loud moments in the film. Pinktail is the representation of constantly whining parents who procreate because they must.
I was halfway through the movie when it suddenly dawned on me that it pays homage to parenting and community. Roz must accomplish her next project, which is to teach Bright Bill (what Roz names the gosling) to eat, swim, and fly. This representation of parenting emotionally moved me. However, these three steps are specific for the Bright Bill. It’s the literal job of any parent (regardless of species) to raise their young to survive in the world so they can eventually fly away. I was reflective for several minutes, considering I have three teenagers and one preteen.
What enhances its impact is the moving voice performances from the high-caliber actors. Nyong’O brings a monotone and structured performance to Roz, slowly evolving into an empathetic and adventurous robot. Pedro Pascal truly surprised me as Fint. His mischievous and sarcastic personality also develops into a caring one and even showcases shades of sentimentality. Connor as the older Bright Bill is also fantastic. He brings a young, inexperienced side to his character that delivers.
The animation is stunning; it depicts the beauty of nature while also bringing forward the hypnotic aspect of advanced technology. Roz goes through a self-discovery journey of feeling and learning about emotions. It was heartwarming and, to some extent, suspenseful sitting in the theater witnessing Roz’s character arc. I was surprised by the exploration of life. What constitutes a living thing, and how are all living things interconnected? “The Wild Robot” felt like a Miyasaki movie with its philosophical reflections and meditative look at nature and technology.
Overall, “The Wild Robot” is Dreamworks’ best film and one of the best movies of 2024. It is a beautiful look at life, parenting, community and coexistence. Anchored by memorable voice performances, this film is bound to become a classic.
10/10.
Film Critic, Rosa Parra, also contributes to The Daily Chela and Rotten Tomatoes. You can also follow her on X.