Chris Sanders’ *The Wild Robot* and Gints Zilbalodis’ *Flow*—two exceptional animated features of 2024—can be viewed as complementary works. Both narratives feature a minimal human presence, spotlight unlikely animal partnerships (including one distinctive robot), and delve into worlds influenced by unspoken disasters. These overlapping characteristics extend beyond mere visual similarities, as both films subtly reference a broader environmental crisis. With imagery of inundated cities and forsaken human constructs, they imply a realm irrevocably transformed by climate issues.
### Climate Change as a Subtle Background
Neither *The Wild Robot* nor *Flow* overtly incorporates phrases like “climate change” or “sea level rise.” In fact, *Flow* communicates entirely through natural sounds from animals, devoid of dialogue altogether. Nonetheless, the environmental transformations are unmistakable. In *The Wild Robot*, geese soar over a submerged Golden Gate Bridge, while *Flow* depicts a group of animals traversing a devastating flood. These visuals convey profound messages, embedding climate change within the narratives’ landscapes without overtly centering it. This nuanced treatment reflects how climate change has woven itself into the fabric of our own existence, regardless of direct acknowledgment.
By weaving climate change into their storytelling, these films impart a significant message, particularly to younger viewers. For numerous children, this may represent their first encounter with visual art that mirrors the environmental dilemmas they will inherit. Thankfully, Sanders and Zilbalodis approach the topic with sensitivity, developing narratives that are both approachable and candid without being excessively grim.
### Conveying Climate Realities to Young Viewers
Through purposeful imagery, both works convey the reality of climate change present in certain scenes. In *The Wild Robot*, a satirical pamphlet for Florida claims “more shoreline than ever,” alluding to rising sea levels. Subsequently, the submerged Golden Gate Bridge—whose roadway now measures 220 feet above sea level—emphasizes this point. This visual content was created in partnership with the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), ensuring its precision and resonance. Director Chris Sanders shared, “If we were to depict landmarks that had changed, it needed to be recognizable ones.”
In *Flow*, Zilbalodis employs a distinct method, as the film unfolds in an imaginative realm. Early moments portray a boat lodged in a tree, a haunting reminiscence of past floods and human existence. “These environments aren’t merely decorative,” Zilbalodis commented. “They exist to narrate the story and enhance our understanding of these characters.”
Both films transcend mere environmental indicators, utilizing their nonhuman characters to delve into the emotional burden of climate change. By concentrating on animals and a robot, they pose a poignant inquiry: Who suffers the most from environmental crises?
### A Nonhuman Outlook on Climate Change
The protagonists of *The Wild Robot* and *Flow* are fully nonhuman. In *The Wild Robot*, the narrative revolves around Roz, a robot voiced by Lupita Nyong’o, and her animal friends. Meanwhile, *Flow* tracks a small black cat journeying alongside a capybara, a lemur, a secretarybird, and a Golden Retriever. This nonhuman-centric focus encourages viewers to empathize with beings who are innocent casualties of a crisis they played no part in creating.
“I believe we feel more compassion for a cat in this situation than for a human,” Zilbalodis observed. This sentiment is particularly evident in the films’ crisis moments. In *Flow*, the cat struggles to survive on a flooding vessel, while in *The Wild Robot*, animals confront an unusually severe winter storm. These instances illustrate the fragility of those who lack the power to halt the forces reshaping their environment.
“When these occurrences affect animals, it resonates deeply, as they had no role in it,” Sanders elaborated. This viewpoint also strikes a chord with younger audiences, who are inheriting a world influenced by human-induced climate change. The creatures in these tales serve as proxies for children, while the absent humans represent older generations who will not fully confront the repercussions of their choices.
### Optimism Amid Environmental Struggles
Despite their sobering narratives, *The Wild Robot* and *Flow* convey optimism. In *The Wild Robot*, humanity’s retreat to advanced cities enables nature to reclaim and rejuvenate other regions. Whales gliding over the submerged Golden Gate Bridge symbolize nature’s endurance. Similarly, in *Flow*, fish and whales flourish in flooded environments, indicating that life can adapt to an evolving world.
The conclusion of *Flow* possesses a bittersweet quality. As the floodwaters recede, the animals discover dry ground, but earlier visuals—such as a rowboat in a tree and a post-credits image of a whale in limitless water—indicate that flooding presents a recurring cycle. This doesn’t denote defeat but portrays a reality that the characters must learn to navigate.
“We observe these characters endure various trials, grow together, and conquer their fears. Yet, some issues remain unresolved,” Sanders noted.