Flora & Ulysses (2021)

Flora & Ulysses has the rare gift of feeling like a live-action kids’ movie that actually respects kids: it’s witty without winking, sweet without getting syrupy, and powered by a genuinely delightful superhero squirrel who’s brought to life with charming visual effects. Lena Khan keeps the vibe brisk and buoyant—part comic-book whimsy, part offbeat family comedy—while Matilda Lawler anchors the whole adventure with a sharp, heartfelt performance as a girl learning to let hope back in. The laughs come from playful slapstick and Ben Schwartz’s warm, slightly frazzled dad energy, but what sneaks up on you is how sincerely the film cares about its characters and their bruised little hearts. Fair warning: if you’re allergic to earnestness or get anxious about mild animal peril, it may not be your thing—but if you want a family movie with real warmth and a surprising amount of soul, this one earns its cape.

Flora & Ulysses is clearly aiming for that sweet spot where a quirky superhero premise helps a kid process a messy family situation, and it does have an earnest heart beneath the silliness. The problem is it often feels like a bundle of cute ingredients that never quite clicks into something sharp or memorable—pacing drifts, the comedy lands unevenly, and the story sands down what could’ve been weirder or more poignant. If you want a genuinely zany, high-energy family adventure or a deeply moving divorce-from-a-kid’s-eye-view film, this may feel a bit flat in both directions. Still, Matilda Lawler is likable, the squirrel gimmick is charming in short bursts, and it’s a generally gentle PG watch if your expectations are set to “pleasant distraction,” not “modern family classic.”