Originally a book written by Peter Brown in 2016, The Wild Robot has recently been turned into an animated DreamWorks film. The book tells the story of a robot named Rozzum, also known as Roz, exploring an island that her crate crashed on. While on the island she encounters plenty of animals and learns that she needs to be able to adapt to live among them. First encountering this book in fifth grade, it left a mark on me despite being so young and not fully comprehending the emotional depth of the text. However, I never thought I would encounter the book again until finding out months ago that it was getting a movie adaptation. At the sight of it, I went around telling everyone in my life that I had to see it – I had to know if the movie would do it justice or not.
Usually, adaptations often fail that expectation of mine, but this movie was the exception for me. Rather than seeing a simple grey figure on paper, I saw an intricate beautifully designed robot on screen that had the plausibility of being real. Roz’s design reflected her purpose as a helper to humans, reminiscent of the technology we’re familiar with today but with more unique traits that fit her role in the story. The animals depicted in the film are similarly designed with a perfect balance of realism and simplicity. The animation includes tiny details (like the texture of fur or feathers) that you don’t notice right away, but that ultimately add a sense of depth to the picture. At the same time, the designs remain clean and accessible, ensuring that the visuals never feel overwhelming for the viewer. This attention to detail in the characters’ appearance extends to other parts of their being such as the emotional depth of their relationships. Especially between Roz and the goose she raises, Brightbill.
After an accident during a storm, Roz finds herself taking care of the gosling. At first, she didn’t want to deal with him but after being assigned to him by another animal in the film, she takes up the job as its mother. As part of her tasks, she must teach him to fly once he’s old enough. This already feels monumental, but the emotional weight intensifies when Brightbill is bullied by other geese for how he’s been raised. After a fight between Roz and Brightbill, she has a heart-to-heart with the head goose, Longneck. He tells her that Brightbill still has a chance to join the flock, but it’s going to take time and effort. After this conversation, Roz starts flight lessons with Brightbill to prepare him. Once he’s ready, he joins the flock where he has a conversation with Longneck.
One that began the waterworks for me:
Longneck: “This flight is a gift Roz has given you.”
Brightbill: “Yeah, I understand.”
Longneck: “No, you don’t. Do you see any other geese here your size? The accident that killed your family saved you.”
The weight of those words hit like a tidal wave. Roz has given Brightbill not just a chance at survival but the gift of a future. After this exchange, Brightbill nervously asks Roz for help, and she carries him on her shoulder, giving him the boost he needs to take off. Watching him soar is bittersweet for Roz, and she realizes she doesn’t want to let go just yet. She tears through the trees to get to a high cliff just to see the geese off. Longneck, noticing Roz’s gesture, leads the flock close to her as a final acknowledgment of her love and sacrifice. I never find myself sobbing during films, but this scene was able to make that reaction happen. This moment in the film encapsulates everything that makes The Wild Robot such a powerful story: its exploration of loss, love, and letting go.
And it does not hold back these themes throughout the entire film despite being a children’s movie. If anything, it pushes them onto the viewer because it is something that will happen in life. Human or not, these are universal experiences– moments that define who we are and how we grow. Roz’s journey is a mirror of our struggles to adapt, connect, and eventually let go (whether it’s of loved ones, old versions of ourselves, or the safety of familiarity). This movie hit especially hard as a teen who’s on the verge of leaving the nest, unsure of what’s to come. Considering my own fears and hopes of stepping into the unknown while also highlighting the sacrifices made by those who love us, I couldn’t help but get emotional.
So much so that even after the film, I couldn’t explain it to my dad without crying, because all I could see was us in the film.All that said, no movie is perfect, and The Wild Robot does have a few moments where the dialogue feels a bit too simple or too on the nose. Some lines, though heartfelt, come across as a bit cliché, which might take you out of the emotional moment (especially if you’re expecting more depth from certain conversations). While I understand that the film is aimed at a younger audience, I did find myself wishing for a bit more in certain interactions. But despite these small hiccups, The Wild Robot is still a film worth seeing. Its heart is undeniable, and the beautiful animation, emotional depth, and universal themes make it an unforgettable experience. Just make sure to have tissues on standby.
Though no streaming date has been released yet The Wild Robot can be found on Youtube, Fandango and Amazon Prime.
