Introduction

Recently, I shared Flow with my family. After watching it a second time, I decided to write a recommendation to highlight its key features and my thoughts on the experience.

Movie Overview

Flow (Latvian: Straume, Taiwan: 喵的奇幻漂流, China: 猫猫的奇幻漂流) is a 2024 adventure fantasy animated film directed by Latvian filmmaker Gints Zilbalodis, with a screenplay co-written by Zilbalodis and Matīss Kaža. This film stands out due to:

• Dialogue-free storytelling: The movie has no dialogue, relying solely on visuals and sound to convey emotions and narrative.
• Created with Blender: Entirely produced using the free and open-source software Blender, showcasing stunning visual effects.
• Profound themes: The story depicts how different species collaborate to survive in a flood-stricken world, exploring themes of environmental change, resilience, and teamwork. It offers not only entertainment but also deep reflection.

The plot revolves around a black cat who embarks on a survival journey after a sudden flood, encountering various animals along the way. Throughout the drifting adventure, the black cat overcomes its fear of water and predators, ultimately building trust with its companions. This touching journey is a tale of courage, adventure, and self-discovery.

Awards

It is worth mentioning the accolades received by this film. The following information is excerpted from the WIKI page (2025-01-26).

The film Flow won three major Best Animated Feature awards from the Los Angeles Film Critics Association (LAFCA), the National Board of Review (NBR), and the New York Film Critics Circle (NYFCC), making it the first animated film since The Incredibles (2004) to achieve this prestigious trifecta.

Suitable Viewing Age

Recommended Age: 6+ (Better with Parental Guidance)

Since the movie contains no dialogue, some scenes may require guidance and explanation.

Viewing Options and Release Information

Streaming Platforms

As of January 26, 2025, Flow has not yet been released in Taiwan. However, if you want to watch online at home, you can rent or purchase the digital version through Amazon Prime Video, or watch it on Apple TV (U.S. region).

Official Release Dates

In Taiwan, the average cinema ticket price is approximately 260 TWD (7.90 USD), while presale tickets bundled with exclusive merchandise are available for 499 TWD (15.16 USD) or 999 TWD (30.35 USD).

For those eager to watch the movie earlier, streaming at home offers a more affordable and convenient option. Compared to theaters, streaming rentals are cost-effective, providing flexible viewing schedules in the comfort of your home without concerns about showtimes or seat availability.

Note: The entire film contains no dialogue, making streaming platforms not only the most budget-friendly option but also ensuring the smoothest viewing experience. However, for a more immersive experience, watching it in theaters may still be the preferred choice.

In addition to streaming, special early screenings will be held at SPOT Huashan, located at SPOT Huashan cinema, with two scheduled showtimes:

• 1.25 (Sat) 15:15
• 2.02 (Sun) 16:10

If you’re excited to catch the film in theaters before its official release, don’t miss these special screenings.

Viewing Experience

Everyone perceives and interprets the film differently; the following content is for reference only. Some parts may contain spoilers, so please proceed with caution.

This film revolves around themes of unity and trust, depicting how characters overcome their differences, learn to rely on one another, and ultimately form an unexpected yet deeply emotional “family.” The story not only showcases each character’s struggles and growth but also thoughtfully explores their journey to find meaning in survival amid adversity.

The narrative follows a solitary black cat, initially chased by a pack of dogs after stealing a fish. However, an unforeseen flood changes everything, separating a Labrador Retriever from its pack and forcing it to embark on a journey with the black cat. Naturally aloof, the black cat keeps its distance from its newfound companion, preferring solitude in the face of adversity—until the flood mercilessly engulfs everything it once knew.

As the world becomes submerged, the black cat is rescued at the last moment by a small boat carrying a gentle and selfless capybara. Defined by its kindness and patience, the capybara strives to maintain harmony and care for its companions, becoming the emotional anchor of the group. Later, they encounter a materialistic ring-tailed lemur who is obsessed with his belongings. However, as the journey unfolds, he gradually learns to let go of his possessions and begins to cherish the friendships around him. Although the black cat remains cautious of the lemur, their shared challenges gradually dissolve the barriers between them.

Throughout their journey, the group meets a secretarybird, once a proud and steadfast guardian who sacrificed himself to protect the weak, only to be abandoned by his own kind. His presence adds layers of introspection and a tragic undertone to the journey, emphasizing themes of sacrifice and solitude.

Eventually, the Labrador unexpectedly reunites with the group. Initially longing to return to his old pack, he gradually realizes that his new companions are his true family. Faced with the choice between his past and present, he ultimately decides to stay and protect his newfound friends, becoming an irreplaceable part of the team.

Throughout the film, three scenes stand out in particular:

1. The Black Cat’s Transformation From a solitary, water-fearing creature to a companion willing to help others, the black cat undergoes significant growth. Eventually, it takes the initiative to catch fish and care for its companions. In the climax, the cat leaps off the boat to chase after the secretarybird during a storm. As it struggles to swim back, realizing it is no longer alone, the moment powerfully underscores its emotional transformation and character development.

2. The Lemur’s Choice After the floodwaters recede, the lemur becomes revered by its kind due to the mirror it possesses. However, when faced with the choice between “material possessions” and “companionship,” it ultimately chooses to abandon its treasures and return to its friends. This moment not only highlights the lemur’s personal growth but also reflects on the deeper conflict between materialism and emotional bonds.

3. Teamwork and Abandonment When the boat becomes stranded on a tree after the flood, the capybara is the last to remain onboard. The companions attempt to rescue it, but the Labrador’s former pack chooses to chase a rabbit instead. This highlights the stark contrast between true “family” and mere “acquaintances.” Ultimately, through the efforts of the black cat, lemur, and Labrador, the capybara is saved, showcasing the strength of their emotional connection.

In the final scene, the protagonists gaze at their reflections in the water—forming a striking contrast to the opening shot, where the black cat stood alone, staring at its own reflection. This powerful imagery symbolizes the cat’s transformation and newfound sense of belonging, redefining “family” from isolation to a deep connection with its companions.

Conclusion

Flow is a visually stunning and deeply metaphorical animated film that delicately portrays the characters’ choices and growth as they face adversity through its silent storytelling approach. Each animal character is uniquely distinct, with their own personalities and traits. Through their interactions, the film explores different interpretations of life, belonging, and emotions. The black cat’s journey of self-discovery, the lemur’s struggle between materialism and friendship, and the Labrador’s choice between the past and new beginnings all add rich emotional layers to the story, resonating deeply with audiences throughout the journey.

Visually, the film is truly outstanding—each frame feels like a meticulously crafted work of art, blending the vastness of the flood with the characters’ intricate emotions. Whether it’s the delicate use of color or the beautifully rendered dynamic sequences, the entire film is infused with a sense of poetry and tension, creating a highly immersive viewing experience.

References

1. Flow (2024 film)
2. 喵的奇幻漂流 (2024)
3. 映画『Flow』公式サイト
4. Flow | Official Website
5. 喵的奇幻漂流 (2024) - IMDb
6. 光點華山電影館 - 【🐈‍⬛喵的奇幻漂流｜新春搶先場 】