I’ve written a mini-review of this movie before, and it’s on my Top 10 Best Movies of the Year list. Now that Flow is streaming on MAX, I thought I’d write a full review of this wonderful animated feature.

Flow tells the story of a gray cat who seeks shelter and teams up with different species on a boat after a massive flood wrecks their home. As they journey through enchanting, flooded terrains, the crew faces various challenges and threats while adjusting to their new reality. The cat has to conquer its fear of water and other creatures to stay alive, seeking refuge with a diverse group of animals: a capybara, a lemur, a dog, and a bird. In several interviews and during his Golden Globe speech, Latvian filmmaker Gints Zilbalodis shared that the cat’s journey resonates with him personally since he’s typically a solo artist. He’d created a lot of animated films by himself, but this time, he teamed up with others. Just like the cat in Flow, he had to figure out how to trust his teammates, collaborate, and embrace their differences, which is the core message of the film.

This has been a year of strong animated movies, but what makes Flow extra special is that it flips the script on what you’d typically expect from an animated feature. Instead of talking animals and whimsical magic, it delivers a stunningly naturalistic adventure that mesmerizes you, all without uttering a single word. Right from the opening scene, the film’s breathtaking visuals pulled me in. I appreciate that the animal designs aren’t too lifelike (which can look pretty creepy, just look at the latest Lion King movie) and that they aren’t anthropomorphic (having human-like characteristics). All the creatures have realistic features and expressions, as the filmmakers aim for naturalism rather than realism. I’m a huge cat lover, so I adore Cat’s bright, expressive eyes, and it’s fun just observing the cat being its quirky self.

The animation is innovative, expertly blending traditional techniques with cutting-edge technology, all created using the free and open-source software Blender. It crafts a universe that feels both familiar and fantastical; some of the visuals are so stunning that I’d love to hang them on my wall. Every tiny detail, like the fluidity of the water and the intricate textures of the fur, is carefully crafted. While the visuals are incredibly stunning, there is more to Flow than just eye candy. Underneath those gorgeous graphics is an engaging story for kids and adults alike.

Written by Zilbalodis and Matīss Kaža, the plot is simple yet deep, exploring themes like resilience, the meaning of home, and the strength of friendship without being too heavy-handed. There are some really delightful surprises in store, such as a breathtaking sequence featuring a mythical-looking giant whale shark, which in turn inspires the cat to care for others.

This is animation taken to the next level, pushing the boundaries of the medium to craft something genuinely extraordinary. I’m really blown away by what Zilbalodis and his crew have pulled off for less than $4 million! That’s a tiny budget compared to most animated films in Hollywood. What’s more impressive is that Zilbalodis had said in interviews that there were no deleted scenes; everything they shot made it to the final cut. The movie is just 85 minutes long, but I enjoyed it so much that I wish it could have been a bit longer!

In my Golden Globes post, I said that I would be rooting for Flow to win Best Animated Feature at the Oscars. Well, I’m thrilled that it did win, making history as the first Latvian film to win an Academy Award. So, if you haven’t seen this, it’s now streaming on MAX. It’s truly a captivating journey of stunning visual storytelling that makes this one a timeless classic.

What are your thoughts on FLOW?

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