[Tribeca 2024] BOYS GO TO JUPITER -- Quirky Animated Film Thrives in Its Vibes

Review by Sean Boelman

You don’t often see a directorial debut with as star-studded of a cast as Boys Go to Jupiter, but what is even more surprising about Julian Glander’s animated feature is how idiosyncratic it is. Weird in all the best ways, Boys Go to Jupiter won’t work for everyone, but it’s impossible not to admire Glander’s unique style. 

The film follows a teenage gig worker on a quest to earn $5,000 as his plans are derailed by otherworldly visitors and massive conspiracies. It’s hard to describe exactly what’s happening in Boys Go to Jupiter, not so much out of fear of spoilers but instead because describing its events without sounding like a lunatic is virtually impossible.

Boys Go to Jupiter is very much a vibe-driven movie, but that’s not to say it’s light on story. In fact, the exact opposite could be argued. At a certain point, so much is happening that’s all so random and weird that you check out of trying to follow the story and instead just decide to embrace the ride. And at right around 90 minutes in length, the film is brief enough that its relentless quirkiness does not outstay its welcome.

Glander’s characters also make spending time on this journey with them easy. On paper, the names and character designs seem totally absurd, and in some ways, they absolutely are. Still, these people and anthropomorphic beings feel in other ways like people you’d actually want to hang out with, which is the key to success in a hangout movie.

However, as is the case with so many coming-of-age directorial debuts, one will be left wishing that Glander’s movie had a little more to say. It’s an exercise in style over substance, and while there could be something to be said about finding one’s own voice as a filmmaker through a story about finding oneself, part of that voice should be a unique perspective, and that’s what’s missing from Boys Go to Jupiter — at least in a thematic sense.

That being said, Glander’s approach to animated filmmaking is certainly very individualistic in an aesthetic sense. The 3D style is incredibly colorful and strikes a wonderful balance between rudimentary and imaginative. Although some might be put off by this peculiar animation style, which is entirely unlike anything you’ll see in mainstream animation, it’s very refreshing to see someone take such a distinctive approach. 

The other aspect of Boys Go to Jupiter that is likely to earn recognition is its voice cast. The central role is played by newcomer Jack Corbett, who is incredibly charming. However, the spotlight is frequently stolen from Corbett by the comedy A-listers in the supporting cast, including Elsie Fisher, Julio Torres, Sarah Sherman, Joe Pera, and more. Although none of their roles are particularly big, their presence is greatly welcome, and their scenes are among the most memorable in the film.

Boys Go to Jupiter is an incredibly weird animated movie, but it seems tailor-made for a cult following. From its voice cast of comedians known for their own peculiarities to the quirky sense of humor and Glander’s distinctive animated style, this film is designed for an incredibly niche audience, but that core group will enjoy it beyond belief.

Boys Go to Jupiter screened at the 2024 Tribeca Festival, which runs June 5-16 in New York City.

Rating: 3.5/5