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Soul
2020
AVAILABLE EDITIONS
ABOUT THIS FILM
RUNTIME
100 min
QUOTE
“What is it that makes you… you?”
Pete Docter’s introspective drama follows Joe Gardner, a middle school music teacher who dreams of becoming a professional jazz musician and finally gets his big break—only to find himself separated from his body in a cosmic realm before he can experience it. Determined to return to Earth, Joe partners with 22, a reluctant soul who has never found a reason to live, and together they explore questions of purpose, passion, and what gives life meaning. As their journey moves between the metaphysical and the everyday, the film shifts from ambition-driven narrative to quiet reflection. Blending stylized abstraction with grounded reality, Soul becomes a meditation on identity, fulfillment, and the simple experiences that define a life.
Why it matters
- Soul stands as one of Pixar’s most philosophically ambitious films, directly engaging with questions of purpose, identity, and existence.
- Its portrayal of passion challenges the idea that a single defining goal gives life meaning, offering a more nuanced perspective on fulfillment.
- The film’s visual contrast between abstract and realistic worlds expands the creative boundaries of animated storytelling.
Watch for
- Joe’s initial pursuit of his musical dream, establishing the film’s central tension around purpose.
- The dynamic between Joe and 22, which drives the film’s exploration of meaning and perspective.
- The depiction of the Great Before and its abstract design, contrasting with the grounded reality of New York City.
- The quiet moments of everyday life, where the film’s message about appreciating simple experiences comes into focus.
Vibe
ExistentialJazzPurposeReflectivePhilosophicalSpiritualCalmEmotionalIntrospectiveMeaningful