Mabel, an enquiring student, signs up for an experimental programme that lets humans “hop” their consciousness into robotic animals. What starts as a novelty quickly turns into something more complicated when she finds herself living among real wildlife, navigating their world from the inside, and uncovering a growing threat to their habitat.
Directed by Daniel Chong, best known for We Bare Bears, the film carries his signature mix of offbeat humour and sincere emotional grounding. Piper Curda brings Mabel to life with an energetic, slightly impulsive charm that feels authentic rather than exaggerated. Jon Hamm, this time on the human side as a smooth but self-serving mayor, adds a layer of grounded opposition that keeps the stakes rooted in something recognisable. The contrast works, even if it occasionally leans into familiar territory.
Visually, it’s Pixar doing what Pixar does best, but with a clever twist. The animal perspective isn’t just a gimmick. Low camera angles, heightened sound, and quick, tactile movement make the forest feel immediate and unpredictable. You can feel the difference between observing nature and actually being in it, which is where the film finds its edge.
The writing leans into themes of empathy and environmental responsibility without becoming overly preachy. It’s not breaking new ground, and you’ll likely spot the trajectory early on, but it earns its emotional beats through character rather than spectacle.
You’ll come for the concept, but it’s the perspective shift that lingers.