Onward

Pixar Animation Studios released this animated fantasy adventure in March 2020 under the direction of Dan Scanlon. The film imagines a modern suburban world where mythical creatures and magic have been replaced by technology and routine office jobs. Two teenage elf brothers, Ian and Barley Lightfoot, attempt to use a magical spell left by their deceased father to bring him back for one day. Instead of restoring his full body, the spell reanimates only his lower torso.

Tom Holland voices the anxious younger brother Ian while Chris Pratt plays his optimistic older sibling Barley. The pair must travel through a hidden mystical realm known as Foggy Bottom to find the Phoenix Gem. Along the way they encounter a grumpy manticore played by Octavia Spencer and face challenges that test their bond and courage. The story explores themes of grief and growing up within a setting that blends realistic suburban architecture with high-fantasy elements. [edit]

The narrative opens with a prologue explaining how the world shifted from an age of magic to one dominated by mundane technology. Elves now live in cul-de-sacs driving cars and working corporate jobs rather than adventuring in forests. The story begins on the birthday of Ian Lightfoot, a sixteen-year-old who feels disconnected from the world and idolizes his late father. His older brother Barley is a laid-back optimist who grew up believing in the fantastical stories their father told them.

On Ian's birthday the brothers discover a magical staff and a spell written by their father that promises to bring him back for twenty-four hours. Despite the skepticism of their mother Laurel the boys attempt the ritual. The spell works partially and reanimates their father as a floating torso from the waist down. The spirit instructs them to find the Phoenix Gem at the end of a dangerous quest to restore him completely before the day ends.

With no other options the brothers set out on a road trip to the Foggy Bottom neighborhood a mystical realm hidden within their town. Their journey is fraught with peril including encounters with police officers who are actually disguised as minotaurs. They also meet a grumpy manticore named Manticore voiced by Octavia Spencer who initially tries to rob them but eventually becomes their guide. As they travel through various magical landscapes the brothers' relationship is tested.

Ian struggles with self-doubt and a fear of failure feeling he is not the brave hero his brother expects him to be. Barley relies too heavily on his imagination and sometimes fails to see reality clearly. Along the way they meet other magical creatures and face challenges that force Ian to confront his insecurities. The central conflict revolves around Ian's internal battle with confidence versus his external quest to complete the mission.

The brothers must navigate a world that no longer believes in magic while trying to prove that it still exists. As they approach the final leg of their journey the tension between Ian's caution and Barley's reckless hope reaches a breaking point. They face obstacles that require both practical skills and belief in the impossible. The stakes rise as time runs out for the spell to take effect permanently. The brothers must decide whether to continue chasing a physical object or accept the limitations of their situation.[edit]