- Date of Release: 23 January 2026
- Genre: Adventure, Animation, Fantasy, SciFi
- Language: French
- Watch On: Theatres Only
Arco
Introduction
The French film Arco, a nominee under the Best Animated Feature category at the Oscars of 2026 is by design a meeting point for the two protagonists in the drama. Essentially, both Arco and Iris are characters of two different worlds – the former belonging to the distant future, and the latter belonging to the near present, almost connected by a rainbow like medium. In fact when you put the two names together, you get the word Arcoiris – a Spanish word for Rainbow, a metaphor that brings two worlds together. Immediately, I was reminded of the anime film Your Name (2016) that featured an innocent tale of love and friendship while treading on the concept of a body swap. In another world, Arco and Iris would have been interchangeable characters leading contrasting lives, and yet form a magical connection when fate would bring them together.
In the larger context, there is a generational and cultural significance in play given how an unprecedented situation brings the two protagonists together – thereby creating a further situation on how both are inter-dependent on each other. Hence, Iris and Arco also represent the different shades of colour that work together in a contrasting setting of rain and sunshine to create the most beautiful rainbow together. In another world, both these varied shades of the present and future would join hands to exchange ideas in order to create a world ideal for people around them.
Story & Screenplay
Written by Ugo Bienvenu and Felix de Givry, Arco almost acts as a heartfelt ode to the works of Miyazaki and Spielberg, partcularly with the premise and the setting on offer. For starters, the world of Arco comprises of circular houses created amidst the clouds in the year 2932 – a recurring theme of the environment that you would find in a Hayao Miyazaki anime film (with hand-drawn animation on offer too). In a sharp contrast, the world around Iris set in 2075, is more futuristic with the presence of robots, and where humanity is dissociated with emotions even as the setting is prone to wildfires – a trace of an environmental disaster owing to the act of humans. And yet, the premise of a character randomly dropping from the air while traversing from one world to another reminded me of Steven Spielberg’s ET (1982). Interestingly, both ET and Arco focus on a humane connection in play – in a way, between the present and the future that forms the crux of the drama.
The most fruitful part of the writing here remains its characterization of the two protagonists. Arco remains a curious 10 year old who isn’t legally allowed to fly yet, often ‘controlled’ by his parents while he silently holds an ambition to see the dinosaurs. On the other hand, Iris craves for attention from her parents who aren’t physically present with her, having only her baby brother and a robot named Mikki for company. You see her visibly frustrated and deeply depressed in a futuristic classroom, excusing herself with an alibi of a headache, even while wanting to talk to humans. So when Arco decides to crash land on her after silently sneaking out at night and borrowing his sister’s costume, you also sense a warm bond in the making instantly. Arco wishes to get home, Iris identifies him as one of her while holding an ambition to travel with him – and it is a match made in futuristic heaven.
Much of the subtext of the writing takes place in the background. For instance, you witness that the near present is taken over by robots – an alternate version of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its threat looming in modern times. And in that setting, the only human interactions that you find is between Iris and Arco, Iris’ neighbour, and three conspiracy theorists. In this moment, you are acquainted to the authoritative rule with respect to the robots (other than the beloved Mikki) who are known to govern by the book with fixed set of rules. This, while the humans despite flaunting uncertain and flawed ambitions join forces to help the greater cause of Arco and send him back home.
The event involving an outbreak of a wildfire isn’t incidental too – but a reminder on the effects that humans would eventually cause to the environment, so much so that the distant future will involve humans being forced to migrate to the clouds and build houses in the sky. This, while also emphasizing on the hand scriptures that would only help the future generations to gain knowledge. So in a scene, wherein you see a dying Mikki carve designs on a wall – you realise its contribution to the greater good of mankind. In that sense, Mikki remains a moralistic robot known to develop human feelings – a trait that defines his dynamic with Iris and her brother. Mikki remains their mother and helper while the parents are away, whilst occasionally transforming into an Avengers-like avatar to aide Arco and Iris in their mission.
The driving force in the narrative remains the heartfelt bond that Iris shares with Arco. In a way, it goes beyond friendship while transforming into sacrifice even as she realises that she cannot travel with Arco given that she typically doesn’t exist in future yet. Their bond is magical and also a relevant take on universal brotherhood, wherein a path of shared learning is for the greater good of mankind.
In the same breath, Arco also gets a glimpse of the sacrificial nature of his parents who have now aged while searching him across different timelines. For Iris, it remains a coming of age journey of self discovery that invariably makes her invest in her architectural skills to ‘create’ a rainbow for the future. Perhaps, that is also represents the spirit of the film – what if rainbows were people from the future travelling in time! As dazzling as that sounds, it opens a whole new imaginative world that is colourful as ever. Just like the one connecting Arco to Iris.
Dialogues, Music & Direction
The dialogues are simplistic, almost being reflective of a child’s gaze without lowering the intellectual themes in play. The idea of catering to a different world while aspiring towards idealism is beautifully expressed through its protagonists. The BGM is subtly soothing, enchanting and magical in many ways. There is something about the 2-D hand-crafted animation that retains the innocence in the drama which computer generated graphics can never do. Be it the bustling use of colours, or the purity of emotions in play – the animation is a nod to Studio Ghibli and the charm that we are so used to in their anime.
The editing pattern is crisp here, keeping the length of the drama in check while also accounting for a deep sense of emotions that are retained from one scene to another. Director Ugo Bienvenu pays a perfect homage to Miyazaki and his style of narration – keeping things simplistic yet enchanting and delving deeper in the complex themes at hand. The direction is terrific here while accounting for a rainbow of emotions that allow you to be invested in the journey of the characters. There is something pure about his craft that is reflective in the form of heartfelt emotions that tie the narrative together. The direction is excellent here.
Voiceovers
The voiceovers are wonderful to witness here, bringing the right amount of innocence to the characters. Oxmo Puccino and Sophie Mas as Arco’s parents are first rate while showcasing a sense of care of different degrees through their voiceovers. Vincent Macaigne, Louis Garrel amd William Lebghill as Dougie, Stewie and Frankie respectively add to the humour in the drama with their goofy voiceovers. Swann Arlaud and Alma Jodorowsky as Iris’ parents are firm and perfectly in sync with the emotions that they are catering to. UGO Bienvenu as Mikki is heartfelt with his voiceover, and he adds layers of emotions to the character.
Oscar Tresanini as Arco epitomizes the exuberance of youth at the start before subtly holding back later on. In the process, the emotions that he portrays are raw and heartfelt while managing to pull off a stunning voiceover. Margot Ringard Oldra as Iris showcases bouts of innocence while delivering a heartwarming voiceover that gently tugs the strings of your heart. She is a perfect blend of exuberance and empathy, while bringing raw emotions to the fore that touch your soul. She was incredible to witness here.
Conclusion
A nominee under the category of ‘Best Animated Feature’ at the Oscars of 2026, Arco explores a rainbow of heartfelt emotions in a heartwarming ode to Miyazaki and Spielberg. It will deftly tug the strings of your heart while creating that warm and fuzzy feeling within you. Available in a theatre near you and Highly Recommended.