Soul (2020)

Soul follows Joe Gardner, a passionate middle-school band teacher in New York whose lifelong dream of playing jazz professionally finally seems within reach — until an unexpected accident separates his soul from his body and lands him in a luminous, imaginative realm between life and death. Determined to return to his life and career, Joe teams up with 22, a cantankerous soul who has spent eons in the “You Seminar” and refuses to be born. Their mismatched partnership becomes a vehicle for surprises, laughs, and big-hearted discoveries about purpose, identity, and what makes life worth living. Watching Soul, you’ll experience a warm blend of humor and emotional depth: witty, character-driven comedy balances quiet, reflective moments that ask big questions without being preachy. Visually, the film alternates between richly detailed, vibrant New York jazz clubs and everyday city life, and a beautifully stylized, dreamlike depiction of the afterlife and “pre-life” training ground — giving the movie both grounded realism and playful imagination. The soundtrack lifts the story: evocative jazz performances and an atmospheric score reinforce the film’s moods, from exuberant solos to contemplative passages. Overall, Soul is a family-friendly, thought-provoking animation that entertains while nudging viewers to reconsider what gives life meaning. Expect to laugh, to feel moved, and to leave thinking about passion, purpose, and appreciating the small, ordinary moments that make each life unique.

Actors: Jamie Foxx, Tina Fey, Graham Norton

Directors: Pete Docter, Kemp Powers

Runtime: 100 min

Genres: Adventure, Animation, Comedy

7.4 /10 83 /100 8.0 /10 7.9 /10