Strange World is a 2022 American animated science-fiction adventure film produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios and released by Walt Disney Pictures. Directed by Don Hall and co-directed and written by Qui Nguyen, the film features the voices of Jake Gyllenhaal, Dennis Quaid, Jaboukie Young-White, Gabrielle Union, and Lucy Liu. The story follows the Clade family, legendary explorers who embark on a journey to a mysterious subterranean land inhabited by surreal lifeforms, aiming to save the miracle plant Pando, their society’s energy source.
🎬 Film Overview
- Title: Strange World
- Release Date: November 23, 2022 (USA)
- Director: Don Hall
- Co-Director & Writer: Qui Nguyen
- Producer: Roy Conli
- Music Composer: Henry Jackman
- Production Company: Walt Disney Animation Studios
- Distributor: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
- Runtime: 102 minutes
- Language: English
- Budget: $135–180 million
- Box Office Gross: $73.6 million IMDb+14Wikipedia+14TVGuide.com+14
🌟 Voice Cast
- Jake Gyllenhaal as Searcher Clade
- Dennis Quaid as Jaeger Clade
- Jaboukie Young-White as Ethan Clade
- Gabrielle Union as Meridian Clade
- Lucy Liu as Callisto Mal
🌌 Plot Summary
In the land of Avalonia, the Clade family is renowned for their explorations. Jaeger Clade, the patriarch, disappears during an expedition, leaving his son, Searcher, to discover a plant called Pando, which becomes Avalonia’s primary energy source. Years later, Pando begins to fail, prompting Searcher, his wife Meridian, and their son Ethan to join an expedition into a subterranean world to uncover the cause. They encounter bizarre creatures and reunite with Jaeger, leading to revelations about Pando’s true nature and the need to rethink their society’s dependence on it.
🎨 Animation and Design
Inspired by pulp magazines and classic science fiction, “Strange World” features a vibrant, otherworldly aesthetic. The animators created a non-verbal character, Splat, to communicate through movement, similar to the magic carpet in “Aladdin.” The film incorporates both CGI and 2D animation, with contributions from renowned animators like Eric Goldberg and Mark Henn. Wikipedia
🎵 Music
Henry Jackman composed the film’s score, marking his third collaboration with Don Hall. The soundtrack blends orchestral elements with modern tones, enhancing the film’s adventurous spirit. The song “They’re The Clades!” performed by James Hayden, is featured in the film. Wikipedia
🏆 Reception and Accolades
“Strange World” received generally positive reviews for its animation and inclusive storytelling. However, it underperformed at the box office, grossing $73.6 million against a budget of up to $180 million, leading to significant financial losses for Disney. Critics praised its visuals but noted a lack of depth in its narrative. Wikipedia
🌐 Streaming and Home Media
After its theatrical release, “Strange World” became available on Disney+, where it gained popularity, becoming the most-watched movie worldwide on the platform for the last week of 2022 and the first two weeks of 2023. Wikipedia
🌈 Representation and Themes
The film features Disney’s first openly gay teenage character, Ethan Clade, portrayed by Jaboukie Young-White. Ethan’s identity is integrated naturally into the story, reflecting Disney’s efforts to enhance LGBTQ+ representation.
“Strange World” stands as a visually captivating film that explores themes of family, environmental responsibility, and acceptance, marking a step forward in inclusive storytelling within Disney’s animated features.
