'Memoir of a Snail' review: Bittersweet animated tale tackles life, death, and everything in between

Courtesy of IFC Films

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How can we break out of our shells to create a life filled with optimism and self-admiration? How do we confront the tough questions about the things we hope to achieve without compromising our morals along the way? These are difficult questions to ask, especially in a stop-motion film aimed squarely at adults. However, Australian filmmaker Adam Elliot—best known for “Mary & Max”—has a unique talent for weaving heartwarming moments and darkly comedic visual gags even from the most challenging circumstances. His latest work, “Memoir of a Snail,” stands as his crowning achievement: a wondrous, distinctive film that, while strange and offbeat, excels in ways a live-action narrative might struggle to achieve. As an animated fable, it blends whimsical elements with an earthy reality, making it one of the year’s most memorable films.

Elliot’s most ambitious project to date, “Memoir of a Snail” delves deeply into themes of life’s purpose and the resilience required to overcome what feel like insurmountable obstacles. The story centers on Grace (voiced by Sarah Snook), a lonely, middle-aged hoarder surrounded by snail-themed paraphernalia, eager to recount her life’s journey. Her childhood, however, was far from ordinary—at least she had her brother, Gilbert (Kodi Smit-McPhee), by her side. Gilbert, a pyromaniac with dreams of performing on the streets of Paris like their father, a once-renowned performer now paralyzed by a career-ending injury, contrasts sharply with Grace, who prefers reading and obsessing over her favorite creature: the snail. The siblings are inseparable until life hurls a grim curveball.

They are separated and sent to opposite ends of the vast Australian continent. Grace is shipped off to live with a pair of swingers (yes, you read that right—this is a very R-rated animated film), while Gilbert is placed with a devout religious cult that demands constant worship of Jesus. In the evenings, as her parents party, Grace confides in her only friend, the eccentric yet wholesome Pinky (voiced with warmth by Jacki Weaver). Pinky becomes a guiding figure in Grace's life, constantly inspiring her with her fearless approach to living.

What stands out in “Memoir of a Snail” is its earnestness and intensity—qualities rarely seen in animated films—about discovering oneself and processing pain and trauma. Elliot, a masterful screenwriter and world-builder, effortlessly blends these themes into an emotionally resonant journey. The narrative’s poignant twist in the closing moments will make anyone reconsider the relationships they’ve fostered over their lifetime. The film is as enjoyable as it is aesthetically pleasing, with a strong personal and autobiographical undertone that will likely resonate with anyone willing to give it a chance.

Grade: A- 

MEMOIR OF A SNAIL is now playing in select theaters and opens nationwide, including Michigan theaters, Friday November 8th.