Samuel
this completely wrecked me in the quietest way possible. this feels so small and specific, but that’s exactly why it hits so hard, it felt like i was almost looking back in time to my experiences. it captures that exact age where emotions feel huge and embarrassing and world-ending, even when nothing “big” is technically happening.
what really got me is how sincere it is. samuel’s thoughts are awkward, repetitive, self-absorbed, and deeply vulnerable in a way that feels completely true to being a kid. the way he fixates on friendships, crushes, jealousy, and tiny social shifts made me cringe a little but in a good way and it also made me reminisce. it feels less like watching a character and more like remembering a version of yourself you’d rather not think about too much.
the animation style is doing so much emotional work too. it’s loose, fragile, and imperfect, which makes everything feel immediate and alive. nothing is over-polished, and that roughness mirrors samuel’s inner chaos perfectly. émilie tronche has such a sharp understanding of how kids think and feel, especially the way they spiral internally while the world around them keeps moving like nothing’s wrong.
it’s gentle, funny, and sad. by the end, i felt this strange mix of warmth and ache, like i’d just revisited a part of my life i didn’t realize i still carried around. it’s one of those projects that feels deeply personal but somehow universal at the same time. emotionally spot-on and easily one of the most affecting things i’ve watched in a while.