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The 97th Academy Awards are just around the corner, and as an animation fan, I’ve spent the past few months watching all the Oscar-nominated animated features of 2025. Going into this marathon, I was certain that my favorite would be either The Wild Robot or Flow—two visually stunning and emotionally gripping films that have dominated the awards buzz. However, after watching Memoir of a Snail, I realized that I had saved the best for last.
This unexpected gem from Australian director Adam Elliott captivated me in a way no other film did. The stop-motion animated tragicomedy, filled with heart, emotion, and offbeat humor, left me reflecting on life, loss, and resilience. While The Wild Robot and Flow amazed me with their breathtaking animation and storytelling, Memoir of a Snail resonated with me on a deeply personal level.
How The Wild Robot and Flow Set the Bar High
For months, The Wild Robot was my favorite. DreamWorks’ adaptation of Peter Brown’s novel was an artistic triumph, blending a unique watercolor-like animation style with a heartfelt story about a robot finding purpose in the wilderness. Watching Roz raise a young gosling while discovering her own identity was a touching and beautifully told narrative. It was visually mesmerizing and emotionally powerful—something I expected to be unbeatable.
Then came Flow. This Latvian animated film, created entirely using Blender, took me by surprise. It was unlike anything I had ever seen before—a hauntingly beautiful and deeply contemplative journey about a cat surviving a mysterious flood alongside other animals. The film explored themes of life, death, and rebirth with such raw intensity that I was left speechless. While The Wild Robot felt like a warm embrace, Flow was a thrilling and eerie existential experience that lingered in my mind for days.
Why Inside Out 2 and Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl Fell Short
Both Inside Out 2 and Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl were solid contenders but left me wanting more.
Pixar’s Inside Out 2 was a fun, emotional sequel that expanded on Riley’s inner world in a meaningful way. The introduction of Anxiety and the struggle between old and new emotions made for a relatable and engaging story. However, while technically stunning, the animation didn’t push the boundaries like The Wild Robot or Flow.
Similarly, Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl was a delightful return to the beloved claymation duo, packed with charming humor and Aardman’s signature craftsmanship. However, the story didn’t connect with me on the same level as the other nominees. While I appreciated the meticulous stop-motion work, I wasn’t as emotionally invested as I had hoped.
What Made Memoir of a Snail Stand Out?
Then I watched Memoir of a Snail, and everything changed.
I had heard about this stop-motion animated film but didn’t give it much thought until it was nominated for an Oscar. After finally watching it, I was completely blown away. The film follows Grace Pudel, a lonely misfit separated from her twin brother after their father’s tragic death. Through a series of life events, Memoir of a Snail paints a poignant and darkly humorous portrait of grief, resilience, and self-discovery.
The film’s visual style was charmingly imperfect, reminiscent of Adam Elliott’s previous works like Mary and Max. Every handcrafted detail added to the raw authenticity of the storytelling. The stop-motion animation wasn’t just a medium; it was a reflection of the film’s themes—beautiful yet fragile, messy yet full of life.
What struck me most was how Memoir of a Snail handled grief. Unlike other films that treat loss as something to be feared, this film embraced it as a part of life’s journey. It reminded me of We Live in Time, another 2024 film that explored illness and death with a bittersweet yet hopeful perspective.
Why Memoir of a Snail Is My Top Pick
At the end of my Oscar-nominated animated film marathon, I realized that Memoir of a Snail had left the deepest impact on me. It combined the emotional depth of The Wild Robot, the artistry of Flow, the humor of Wallace & Gromit, and the relatability of Inside Out 2, creating an unforgettable experience.
This film didn’t just tell a story—it made me feel, reflect, and appreciate the complexities of life. Days after watching it, I still found myself thinking about Grace’s journey, her struggles, and the profound lessons hidden within the snails of life.
Would I be upset if Memoir of a Snail loses to The Wild Robot or Flow at the Oscars? Not at all. But if this quiet, deeply human Australian film defies expectations and wins, I’ll be celebrating like never before.
