Arco

by Mike McGranaghan

Animated movies are consistent box office performers because Hollywood has figured out a generally winning formula. Even the best of them tend to follow a template: action scene every few minutes, inclusion of irresistibly cute supporting characters, heavy use of ‘80s songs on the soundtrack, etc. For that reason, it’s almost shocking when one comes along that dares to go in its own oddball direction. Arco is such a film. This French import, produced by Natalie Portman, lives on a unique wavelength, making it a refreshing watch – and a worthy 2025 Oscar nominee.

Voiced by Juliano Valdi, the title character is a 10-year-old boy from the future. He wants to move through time like his parents, but they feel he’s too young. In the best tradition of childhood defiance, Arco dons a special rainbow cape anyway and accidentally travels back in time to the year 2075. He befriends a young girl named Iris (Romy Fay) who, together with her robot nanny Mikki (Mark Ruffalo), tries to help him return to his own time. Meanwhile, a trio of weirdo conspiracy theorists (Will Ferrell, Andy Samberg, and Red Hot Chili Peppers’ bassist Flea) chase after him, hoping to prove time-travel is real.

Arco and Iris are portrayed as fairly normal children, full of wonder and possessing a strong curiosity about the world around them. Everyone else is quirky-with-a-capital-Q. Mikki has a dry, sardonic wit. The conspiracy theorists wear triangular mirrored sunglasses and behave like Abbott and two Costellos. Iris’s parents only interact with her via holograms, hence the robotic caretaker. The idea of rainbow capes as time-traveling devices is certainly unique, too. You never quite know what the film will throw at you next, which gives it a fun, playful quality.

Visually, the traditional hand-drawn animation owes a debt to the work of Studio Ghibli. It’s beautiful, detailed, and heavily stylized, with bold use of colors. Another similarity is the plot about children struggling to figure out things from the adult world. Director Ugo Bienvenu filters those elements through his own creative vision, imagining what the future might hold, both in terms of technology and humanity itself. Humor plays a big part in this, although the bond between Arco and Iris is the cornerstone.

At times, the offbeat comedy and the more sincere themes bump into each other awkwardly. It’s additionally worth noting that the whole vibe of Arco isn’t necessarily child-friendly. Older kids may like it; those eight and under could become restless. A sophisticated tone ensures teens and adults are the prime audience, despite the mild PG rating. If you fall into that category and possess an appreciation for animation that isn’t afraid to experiment, strap in for a joyous adventure.

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