User reviews

Before last year, I wasn't particularly drawn to films without dialogue, as I found them somewhat dull and pretentious. This perception shifted dramatically after I encountered "Robot Dreams" at the Melbourne Film Festival last year, which quickly became my number one favorite film of all time. This experience opened my eyes to the potential depth and intrigue of dialogue-free storytelling.

"Flow" further solidified my appreciation for this style. This film tells the story of a cat whose life is upended by a massive flood, leading to an unexpected and touching alliance with a diverse group of animals: a capybara, a bird, a lemur, and a dog. The premise of the film is utterly unique, unlike anything I've seen before, and it brings a fresh, whimsical twist to the genre.

What really stood out to me was the meticulous attention to detail in depicting each animal's behavior and the interactions among them. The film's creators clearly conducted extensive research to ensure the authenticity of each species' characteristics, which translated into animations that were not only accurate but incredibly engaging. Each character was crafted with distinct personality traits and quirks, making them memorable and endearing.

Bravo everyone! Show to the Hollywood how it's done!

Such a beautiful story - no words, no explanation - so liberating!

Liberating from "someone else's burden", as Nietzsche would say.

Liberating from imposed narrations.

Liberating from expectations.

Mind goes "Oh, it's a modern interpretation of Noah's Ark" - no it's bloody NOT! - "But what happened, why are they...?" - it doesn't matter!

"Is the end of the world shown?" - No, it's not.

It's just an excerpt of some situation, some flood, somewhere, sometime - experienced through the eyes of certain creatures - and VERY beautifully depicted in this fantastic film.

"Flow," the latest work from Latvian director Gints Zilbalodis, is one of those rare films that transcends the need for dialogue and speaks directly to the soul. With stunning visuals and a narrative that radiates humanity in a world devoid of humans, the movie is a testament to cinema's power to tell universal stories.

The plot follows a black cat, a solitary survivor on a post-human planet seemingly healing from humanity's scars. The feline's journey is both physical and symbolic: it must leave the safety of its island-marked by decayed monuments and submerged ruins-and embark on a voyage of collaboration and self-discovery. Watching the cat navigate this journey is a meditative and visually hypnotic experience, with Zilbalodis delivering sequences that oscillate between tranquil introspection and genuine tension.

One of the film's greatest strengths lies in its stylized animation. Unlike the hyper-realism often seen in Hollywood productions, "Flow" embraces a visual style that blends natural elements with graphic artistry. The interplay of light with the textures of water, foliage, and animal fur creates an effect that is simultaneously dreamlike and visceral. This approach immerses the audience in the film's world without feeling like a forced simulation of reality. Each scene feels like a living painting, meticulously composed yet retaining a sense of spontaneous wonder.

Narratively, the film adopts a simplicity reminiscent of a classic fable. The central metaphor-the need to abandon ego in favor of collectivity-is subtly woven throughout the story. As other animals join the cat on its boat, such as the sleepy capybara, the optimistic Labrador, and the restless lemur, the journey transforms into an exploration of coexistence. Each character is animated to reflect their unique traits, from the cat's sharp curiosity to the imposing bird's commanding presence. Their interactions-whether delicate gestures like sharing food or moments of conflict-form the emotional core of the story.

"Flow" takes a bold step by opting for a dialogue-free narrative, a choice that, for the most part, enhances the cinematic experience. While this approach may slightly soften the emotional intensity in certain scenes, it underscores the universality of the story and lets the visuals take center stage. The film's symbolism, such as the recurring image of the animals' reflections on the water, is both striking and accessible, offering straightforward interpretations while inviting deeper exploration of its layers.

The score, composed by Zilbalodis in collaboration with Rihards Zalupe, is another standout element. Minimalist and atmospheric, it perfectly complements the film's richly detailed soundscape. The sporadic use of music, rather than constant accompaniment, heightens the impact of silence, creating an immersive and meditative experience.

Ultimately, "Flow" is a meditation on our connection to the natural world and to one another. Without words, it conveys the importance of seeing ourselves as part of something greater, accepting that our impact on the world is shaped by how we interact with it and those around us. As we face an uncertain future filled with climate crises and existential challenges, "Flow" offers a hopeful message: life persists, adapting and flowing like a river carving new paths among the stones.

This is a film that demands patience and contemplation, but it generously rewards those who allow themselves to be carried by its current. It's a work not just to be watched but to be felt-one that reflects the best of what we are capable of as humans.

An incredibly beautiful film. Goosebumps. Tears. A unique concept, without words but with dialogue. With sounds and music that make your heart beat faster.

For the first time ever, I sat and couldn't get up when the credits started rolling. I had to focus on them for a moment to see who made this magic happen, and to blink away emotions from my eyes. Even the team's dogs are mentioned in the credits. And then suddenly, a surprise - another scene after the credits!

Now I feel like reading everything that I can find about the film, getting stills as my desktop and phone wallpaper, and have just ordered their Cat t-shirt.

This is a masterpiece that I can't wait to see again!

Contrary to what one might expect from an animation film like this, this is not the one where animals can speak and magic happens. It looks and is very realistic and still remains magical; all without a single word.

The main character is a black cat, who witnesses the beginning of a natural disaster and tries to save its life by being a cat and going with the flow. The story is reminiscent of the biblical Noah's Arc, only without us humans, although the traces of our earlier presence are clearly seen.

With the cat and the other characters we flow and get mesmerized by the skillfully animated beautiful planet Earth and a little bit beyond it.

P. S. Remember to stay through the credits: there's a wonderful surprise at the end!

Flow is one of the most visually stunning and innovative animations I've ever seen. The film's no dialogue only enhances its storytelling, perfectly embodying the "show, don't tell" principle. From the start, it grips you with its emotional depth and remarkable world-building. The production design is nothing short of tremendous, creating a rich, immersive world devastated by a great flood.

The sound design plays a pivotal role, adding layers of realism to the film's events, making every moment feel visceral and alive. The film's ability to evoke deep emotion, especially for the animals, truly moved me - it had me in tears more than once. I also loved the use of shaky cinematography throughout the film, which gave the film an added sense of urgency and rawness.

The original soundtrack is mysterious and perfectly suited to the film. It weaves tension, curiosity, and surprise into key moments, making the experience even more powerful. The cat, as the central character, carries the film effortlessly. The entire plot feels surreal, with the animals driven by survival instincts. Each animal's unique personality shines: the cat is naturally skeptical, the capybara serves as a gentle caretaker, the dog embodies a loyal golden retriever, the lemur is selfish and materialistic, and the bird feels like the cat's guardian angel.

The film's core theme is fear, which is explored beautifully through visual storytelling. Even with no dialogue, there's palpable drama and tension throughout, proving that words aren't necessary to convey deep emotional weight. The film is visually provocative, and the way it communicates complex emotions is brilliant.

The ending is wholesome and heartfelt, wrapping up a truly moving journey. I sincerely hope this film wins an Oscar, as it deeply touched me. Flow is a cinematic masterpiece, both emotionally and visually.

With not a word uttered, time flies by as you witness this rollercoaster of an adventure. Unexpectedly, this was a very moving, emotional and engaging film.

The world of the story is similar to ours but it is devoid of humans. The Cat leads a happy life in what looks like a forest house, when the world is swept up by a gigantic flood. What follows is the tale of fighting against extreme odds as the Cat learns to rely on others for survival and to grow to care about his unlikely companions.

Masterful story telling and character development meet profound empathy and clear themes, this film is for everyone. Moving and uplifting. Absolutely loved it!

"Flow" is a one-of-a-kind, captivating film that packs a lot of meaning into every scene. The film's striking visuals and heartfelt moments create a deep connection with the audience, pulling them into a journey of survival and quiet determination. The film's pacing allows the story to unfold naturally, making each scene feel significant without forcing emotions. It's a refreshing experience that showcases resilience in a subtle yet impactful way. The minimalist approach allows viewers to project their own interpretations onto the unfolding events, making it a highly immersive and personal journey. Its combination of visual beauty and emotional depth leaves a lasting impression.

Impressive independent animation from Latvia, wordlessly telling the story of a bunch of animals working together to help each other survive after a cataclysmic flood.

The movement of the animals and depiction of the natural world is stunning and incredibly lifelike, although the animals look strangely blocky and unfinished up close, as if they ran out of funding to finish off adding details such as fur.

The selfless behaviour of some of the animals often seems too far-fetched to buy into, and seeing them competently steer a boat to harbour seems similarly hard-to-swallow. On top of that, the story seems a little too vague and unmoored from a followable narrative, meaning some of the environments they pass through look like little more than video game levels, dreamt up to look nice but not communicating anything meaningful about the wider world in which they are situated.

For all this, the immersive details and sheer FLOW of the film just about makes up for these shortcomings and carries one along in its wake, engrossed and entertained, to the end. Well worth a watch.

A charming movie that I would definetly recommend to watch with a child (5+years). But it's also suitable for both large and small viewers.

It was very touching, instructive, interesting and thrilling. I definitely recommend watching this animation.

It had a very charming plot, following the path of animals, from events, challenges, even manages to bring tears to your eyes.

The soundtrack was also very well made, just amazing. I loved how it merged with the movie and followed the characters through out their journey!

I would gladly watch it again or recommend it to anyone! The Movie was amazing! :)

Flow is a wordless and surprisingly complete story of animal strangers becoming friends, becoming family after natural disaster strikes.

Like its namesake, the story flows naturally from one scene to the next, almost with the feel of a one-take film. The encounters are whimsical and can't help but bring a smile to your face as the idiosyncrasies of each character are brought out through strife. The action comedy is tasteful and funny in a way that doesn't betray the actual animal performances. It should be commended how much emotion and performance Zilbalodis got out of the animals without turning them into bonafide human performances. There is so much exposition, not said but discovered that give a mysterious and somewhat intellectual tone. The art direction is great with plenty of saturated colors and detailed backgrounds.

It's a small wonder a film like this can get made on a shoestring budget of 3.5m euro. I'd like to say that I didn't notice, but this lack of funds really shows itself in the faster moving action sequences. The animation can be a little choppy during these, and the gravity physics looks a bit odd at times when various characters jump. Moreover, the forest backgrounds are rendered on a 2D plane like a video game from the 2000s adding to the somewhat cheap feel.

Despite a somewhat slow start, Flow completes itself in a satisfying and whole way.

So, maybe an unpopular view but this is not a movie for kids. I was there with my little girl of 10 and she thought i was alright with am glad for. But younger kids in the cinema did not like it, they whine for it to end and was just annoyed, which I understand.

The movie have no spoken parts and are kind of slow. It has a good message, but don't think younger kids gets it and the world leaves you with a lot of questions.

The animation was not very beautiful it was like watching a game from 2005-2010.

It special/odd for sure with is nice but I would probably shut it off in just a few minutes if I was watching it from home.

Not for me but cool concept.

"Flow / Straume" is something truly unique. I've never seen anything like it before, neither in its story nor in its storytelling style. The 3D animation resonates deeply-it feels both complete and as if something is intentionally missing, adding to its peculiar charm.

The central idea of the film-the inevitable "water world"-is haunting. The unstoppable end that comes regardless of our disbelief. The water arrives, filling every corner, despite all our hopes and doubts.

For me, this film felt like a dream, where my accumulated memories came alive. Echoes of What Dreams May Come, Avatar, Waterworld, and Life of Pi all seemed to coexist within it. It's a world where animals are both anthropomorphic and raw in their true forms. This isn't just a film-it's a journey through a surreal and subconscious realm.

Certain moments in the film left me frozen, mouth agape, waiting for the resolution. Scenes like birds breaking the wings of those who dissent, helpers distracted by trivial pursuits, and friends who walk beside you expecting nothing in return-these moments reflect the essence of life.

"Flow / Straume" is an emotional and visual odyssey that's hard to put into words. It's something you have to see and experience to truly understand.

To all those who are saying that the film is not made for children, I can only say that I feel sorry for you and your children. This is a film as real as the life of any domestic animal, and if you allow your child to interact with a cat or a dog, be sure that at some point you will have to talk about the range of feelings these beings have, which includes affection and togetherness, as well as fear and some conflicts. Not to mention the basic fact that one day they must cease being around us, which this film actually allows us to see in a profound, beautiful way.

You know, there is a lot more to learn about feelings and emotions beyond the dumb cognitive distortion of Disney cartoons, and It's a shame that even an adult watched this film and didn't learn this. I cannot address this enough: It's a spectacular film for the whole family.

Wow!!! I've seen a lot of animated films in my life, but this one is by far the best I've ever seen!

The storyline was incredibly unique and the animation was certainly on point. The realistic movements of each animal was extraordinary. No detail was overlooked in this production.

To top it off, the philosophical considerations in the storyline were profound. And even though there was not a single word uttered throughout the entire film, it spoke volumes!

FLOW was Simply Amazing.

It's a film that will stick with me for a very long time to come. Kudos to the entire crew - I certainly hope to see more animated films like this in the future.

While I am not into animation as a genre (simply not my cup of tea), this film is something out of the ordinary, it speaks volumes without a single word and is about the most important things in the world - the experience shared by everyone living. Survival, individual experience in the face of unknown, friendship, compassion, love, selfishness and selflessness, fear, living and dying and living again. It is a masterpiece and an ode to life without crossing the line of becoming too sentimental or pathetic. A story for all ages, every walk of life. Our entire family - children, adolescent and adults - is in complete awe about this movie.

This approach of telling a story embodies the essence of Taoism and would undoubtedly have garnered Lao Tze's approval, had he been present. I was instantly reminded of Chapter 38 of the Tao-Te-Ching:

"The Tao is constant in non-action Yet there is nothing it does not do If the sovereign can hold on to this All things shall transform themselves Transformed, yet wishing to achieve I shall restrain them with the simplicity of the nameless The simplicity of the nameless They shall be without desire Without desire, using stillness The world shall steady itself..."

And "Flow" was that for me - nothing less, nothing more! Too ordinary to be adored and too good to be ignored.

The world today isn't exactly something that gives you hope for the future.

This movie is about a time when humans are (seemingly) gone. So in that way, it doesn't really give you hope either.

But...

Earth isn't just humans. It's full of animals that sometimes just live together in some sort of harmony. Granted. This movie makes it seem like it's so easy for them to live together across species. That part is somewhat silly. But the movie is done in a way that the animals are somewhat humanized. And the way they interact together gives me a bit of hope for earth. Not humans. Earth will be fine. As for humans, that remains to be seen.

But this movie is a small wonder that will make you smile and enjoy about 1½ hour of happiness.

There is just no cohesive story. It is more like a painting brought to life, but one that leads the viewer into no conclusions. A treat for the eyes, but none for thought.

Also, there is just enough anthropomorphism to detract from what the artists are apparently hoping to convey with the characters. Animals on a journey together, but that demonstrate a bit too much reasoning to be believed as just animals.

But that, honestly, was the only things that detracted any from it for me. It was a stunning broad stroke of a world of beauty and depth. Delightful visuals abound throughout, and all of them done in lovely pastel artistry. The sound design was equally immersive. And the characters, while made somewhat difficult to relate to, were lovingly presented.

If I were asked to compare it to any other artform, I would have to say it would be like going to an aquarium. Watch the lovely sea life through the glass, permit yourself to be carried away by your imagination a bit, and then it's time to get back to life.

In all, it wasn't a let down or a disappointment, but I think it could have been a whole lot better if there was something that engaged you at a more visceral level, rather than just a visual one.

This is by far one of the best movies of this year. I feel like this is the type of movie that appeals to everyone. It's is beautifully crafted with amazing camera angles. If the title 'Flow' doesn't refer to the flood in the story it for sure could be about how this movie seems to flow from one stunning image to the next. Much appreciation for the design of this. This movie is also a bit of a tearjerker, how the different animals with their completely different characters become friends bound by shared hardship is beautiful. Words fall short for the amazing visuals, all that's left to say is: go and see it. Preferably on the big screen for the best immersive experience.

I have to admit, I almost did not continue watching this. It really was the great portrayal and story line of the animals that kept me watching.

Considering it is 2024, I was expecting somewhat better quality animation, not the moving paint by numbers style. The only really good animations were the water surfaces. It's a shame that same quality did not extend to the landscapes, structures, and most especially the animals themselves.

No I was not expecting PIXAR quality, like with water surfaces, but the rest could have been much better. That is the only reason I rated this as a 7 and not a 9.

Sit far back and enjoy this great heart tugging story.

Disclaimer: I missed the last 20 minutes of the movie as, admittedly, I finally fell asleep, not so much out of boredom (although I felt quite bored by then), rather as my built-in "self-shutdown fuse" went off, which I'm grateful for as it's there to protect me against stuff I actively dislike.

Specifically, what I could not take on anymore was the clumsy animation: a weird mix between a videogame-style realistic background (at times fascinating) and seemingly more traditionally-animated animal characters. By contrast, the latter came through as half baked, as if this was a pre-production draft. Indeed, quality-wise the whole thing reminded me of those graduation works by animation classes students that can be found on youtube, just much longer and more pretentious.

The pretentiousness showed not only in the animation style, but also in the weak script, which visibly tries hard to be poetic and heart-touching, but soon falls short of its ambitions. I found the story pointless, repetitive, made of many loosely connected mini-sketches, most of which just fell flat and dispensable.

The animal characters were hard to relate with. Unless you're a cat enthusiast, that is. They're too much humanized to feel like watching a documentary (e.g. Microcosmos) and not enough to feel any empathy (e.g. A la Miyazaki).

Maybe the overarching idea (follow a bunch of animals wandering through a mysterious dystopian environment) might have worked, had it been better executed and curated.

My impression was that this movie was made mostly of elements borrowed from other contexts, and loosely glued together without the additional necessary step to properly harmonize them so to create a really immersive and compelling experience.

Overall, a wasted opportunity and a movie that I -as a longtime 360-degrees animation admirer- cannot recommend.

Literally nothing about this film is bad, there are maybe thing that could have been added but not one part of this movie was bad. From the unique animation, the clever story telling and the INCREDIBLE music this a MUST SEE.

It's very impressive that movie without any dialogue can be so tear jerking, the story is never explained yet you get what is happening (most times).

My theory is that the film is about the circle of life, and how no matter what you do, you will die. And then new life will go on

It's very hard to say why this movie is so good without watching it first because again, there is no dialogue so it's really up to the audience to figure out what is going on. Instated of it begin explain, you see the story play out in real time.

9.4/10 watch it when you can (might take a while)

So good, that hard to describe! Easy to watch, that you just cant stop watching.

Tasteful, emotional, fulfilling ...

From the first minutes it was difficult to tear away from the screen. The plot is very unpredictable and unpredictable. You never know what will happen in the next moment ...

I definitely recommend watching this movie on the big screen. And I'll watch it again, the first time I didn't see the part because I was crying.

I can recommend watching it for children of all ages, but of course it is very individual, it was too loud for my three-year-old. But the six-year-old really liked the movie. Then depicted the cat for two whole days.