’Flow’ review: A gorgeously animated story of survival

Striking animation and moving messages about connection make the Latvian animated film Flow unforgettable.

There’s a moment toward the end of Flow that’s incredibly hard to forget. In it, a cat, the main character of this Latvian silent animated film, stares into the eyes of a whale stuck in the middle of the woods. In this surrealist portrait, both animals behave like animals. They don’t deliver moving speeches or cry out in concern amidst the strange situation. Instead, a genuine emotion passes between them, making the moment soar with empathy. This sense of connection runs throughout Flow, a gorgeous animated feature that combines a powerful environmental message with stunning animation.

Directed by Gints Zilbalodis and written by Zilbalodis and Matīss Kaža, Flow tells a minimalist story. It begins with a black house cat living in a house deep in the woods. Humanity exists only in traces—objects of daily life like houses, art supplies, and statues, many of which depict the cat. After escaping dogs and a deer stampede, the cat plunges into a gigantic flood that engulfs the forest and seemingly the entire world. In a strange twist, the cat joins a Labrador, a lemur, a capybara, and a white secretary bird. Together, they navigate the disaster, overcoming their differences while encountering remnants of humanity.

Animals that act like animals.

Flow’s depiction of animals stands out as its most fascinating element. In many animated features, animals take on anthropomorphic traits. They talk, emote, and move like humans. Their animalistic behaviors often serve as jokes or quirks, such as the “squirrel” gag in Pixar’s Up. While this approach fosters quick audience empathy, Flow chooses a different path in portraying animals as they are. The film avoids humanizing them or making them act in ways that deviate from their instincts, aside from their quick mastery of a small boat.

Furthermore, this portrayal pairs beautifully with an animation style inspired by video games like The Last Guardian, Journey, and Shadow of the Colossus. The character designs remain intentionally simple, with no fur or detailed textures. Instead, the animals appear hand-drawn, contrasting against photorealistic environments and impressive water effects. The result is a dreamlike image of animals performing movements we recognize as natural. In addition, all of this was created using Blender adds to its appeal, especially considering the realistic camera movements that lend the film the feel of a nature documentary. The breathtaking visuals pair with a soundtrack that blends traditional orchestral elements with electronic instruments.

A haunting environmental message.

The story unfolds simply. The animals set out toward tall structures on the horizon, facing numerous perils along the way. These challenges build emotional tension as audiences watch the animals survive by luck or ingenuity. Between these moments, the film shows them bonding and forming a sense of community without abandoning their individual traits. The capybara befriends everyone. The lemur hoards shiny objects and marvels at mirrors. The cat remains drawn to fish. Despite their differences, they unite to endure.

This collective survival serves as the film’s central theme. In a world filled with complex, interconnected problems, humans must set aside differences to work together. Though absent throughout the film, humanity remains an implicit part of Flow’s message. The events affecting the animals lie entirely beyond their control. They face helpless uncertainty as the climate changes around them. While no humans appear in Flow, the real world offers countless examples of how our actions force animals into similarly dire situations, often without lifelines like sailboats to save them.

The bottom line.

Few animated films today carry as much heart as Flow. Through its stunning visuals and authentic portrayal of animals, it delivers a poignant reminder of our role in the ecosystem while showcasing nature’s enduring ability to persevere. For that ability to bring power with little words, Flow positions itself as one of the best animated movies of the last few years.

Flow is now playing in select theaters. You can watch the trailer here.

Images courtesy of UFO Distribution. You can read more articles by Pedro Luis Graterol here.