The Wild Robot

Chris Sanders' return to the genre brings an endearing film

Despite animation being one of the most creatively fertile genres in recent decades—offering originality amid the superhero and sequel glut—it has increasingly succumbed to Hollywood’s IP-driven approach. Finding an animated film that isn’t part of a pre-existing franchise has become rare. That’s what makes The Wild Robot (2024) such a refreshing exception.

The Wild Robot follows its titular protagonist, Roz (Lupita Nyong’o), a robot that crash-lands on an uninhabited island wilderness. Designed as a helper robot programmed to complete assigned tasks, Roz unexpectedly finds herself raising an orphaned goose hatchling after stumbling upon an unhatched egg. She embarks on this journey of parenthood with the unconventional assistance of a sly fox (Pedro Pascal).

The film is directed by animation veteran Chris Sanders, known for Lilo & Stitch (2002), How to Train Your Dragon (2010), and The Croods (2013). Sanders’ experience shines through in The Wild Robot in several ways. He understands that animation isn’t about pushing technical boundaries or showing off rendering prowess—it’s about storytelling. The film embraces a nostalgic, hand-drawn aesthetic that is both charming and unpretentious. It also forgoes flashy edits or overwhelming effects in favor of a patient, deliberate atmosphere, avoiding overstimulation. This approach not only keeps the focus on the story but also allows the characters to breathe.

At its heart, The Wild Robot is a story about parenthood. Roz begins as an uncertain and inexperienced caretaker, unsure of how to raise a baby goose. However, she gradually learns that parenting is about adaptation, patience, and doing the best one can. The film deftly illustrates humorous and heartfelt moments of parenthood without becoming repetitive. Once a concept—such as the patience required to handle toddlers—is explored, the film moves on to the next stage of growth. This keeps the pacing tight, allowing the audience to focus on the character journey rather than feeling overly guided by a message.

Another of the film’s great achievements is its organic and compact storytelling. Roz’s arc is subtle and incremental, yet by the film’s end, her transformation feels profound. There is never a moment where The Wild Robot forces a leap in development or unnaturally accelerates its narrative—every step in Roz’s growth feels earned.

The voice cast is stacked with veteran actors, yet their performances are so naturalistic that it’s easy to forget who is voicing whom. Nyong’o brings a calculated delicacy to Roz, subtly shifting her intonation as the character evolves. Pascal expertly sells the fox’s transition from arrogance to reluctant warmth. Meanwhile, supporting voices such as Bill Nighy and Matt Berry add depth and charm, elevating even some of the film’s cheesier lines.

In the end, The Wild Robot is a tender and heartfelt film, offering a deeply moving take on the struggles and rewards of parenthood. With its nostalgic animation style, restrained direction, nuanced voice acting, and a particularly evocative score from Kris Bowers, it stands as the best animated film of the year so far.

8.7/10