The defence The Sentimental Softie
“Sincerity is not manipulation.”
The film risks embarrassment to make emotion communal, and that openness is harder than fashionable detachment.
Back to trending 
Onward
Adventure · Animation · Comedy · 2020
In a suburban fantasy world, two teenage elf brothers embark on an extraordinary quest to discover if there is still a little magic left out there.
Movie details
Onward
“Their quest beginneth.”
2020 Adventure · Animation · Comedy 1h 42m
Critical arithmetic
One number, for now.
Scores change. Arguments endure.
TMDB
7.6 / 10
Community rating
In a suburban fantasy world, two teenage elf brothers embark on an extraordinary quest to discover if there is still a little magic left out there.
CriticWise case file
What this film says about your taste.
Not a recommendation score. A measure of how closely the film’s taste signals resemble yours.
The archetype split
Who fights over Onward?
For the defence
The Sentimental Softie
“You came to feel something, and you will.”
Read their case For the prosecution
The Cool Ironist
“Feeling things is a little embarrassing.”
Read their objectionThe split comes from the same five-axis model used by the test, not audience ratings or review sentiment.
Where it lives
Watch in your region.
Cinema release signals and current streaming, rental, and purchase options for your region.
Streaming availability data supplied by JustWatch.
Names above the title
The people responsible.
Cast & crew
Directed by
Dan Scanlon
Written by
Jason Headley · Dan Scanlon · Keith Bunin
Tom Holland
Ian Lightfoot (voice)
Chris Pratt
Barley Lightfoot (voice)
Julia Louis-Dreyfus
Laurel Lightfoot (voice)
Octavia Spencer
The Manticore (voice)
Mel Rodriguez
Officer Colt Bronco (voice)
Kyle Bornheimer
Wilden Lightfoot (voice)
Lena Waithe
Officer Spector (voice)
Court is in session
Put Onward on trial.
Two incompatible taste archetypes. One film. Read the arguments, then issue a completely binding cultural ruling.
The prosecution The Cool Ironist
“The strings are showing.”
Every cue tells you exactly what to feel and when, leaving sentiment to do the work character should have done.