Going from one survival thriller inspired by video games (Pins & Needles) to another of its ilk, Flow is a much more literal and condensed example to identify with younger audiences. The results are slight and sometimes not very attractive, eventually weighed down by its own style and visual storytelling, but Flow is clean and entertaining family fare.

A curious kitty roams a forest, and finds refuge in an abandoned house where her presumed former owner once lived. The cat encounters other animals, but they don’t necessarily pose a direct threat other than making the feline skittish. What does act as a game-changer is a sudden flood that swallows up the forest, the house, everything. Flow never loses sight of the cat, who is forced into survival mode as the waters unusually rise beyond expectations, and sets a simple mission in motion as the kitty floats towards a finish line.

Director Gints Zilbalodis keeps a leash on scary moments, placing more focus on the cat’s exploration and adventures with other animals (including a wise capybara, a scavenging lemur, and an intimidating secretarybird) who are also seeking refuge and are interested in cooperating. Zilbalodis also finds a workable balance between reality and fantasy, with undercooked spiritual suggestions in the background. The film’s strongest points are when the animals are allowed to react like humans while also staying grounded to their own realistic behavioural ticks and mannerisms. Kids who love going to the zoo just found their new favourite movie with Flow.

Committing to a silent narrative is also admirable, although the ambiguity behind the flood and the world it uncovers could’ve used more context. While I’m glad the capybara didn’t throw on a lab coat and explain the origin of the flood through a slideshow presentation, as we’ve seen exhibited by Disney/Pixar’s Wall-E, there are ways to for filmmakers to quietly convey information while staying loyal to their film’s integrity.

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Addison Wylie: @AddisonWylie