Get a First Look at Bong Joon Ho’s Debut Animated Film

Bong Joon Ho, the acclaimed director behind hits like Snowpiercer and Parasite, is venturing into new territory with his first animated feature, Ally, set to hit screens in 2027. Recently, V8 Pistons Pictures unveiled the first look at the film, showcasing a charming blue sea creature — the titular character, a piglet squid named Ally. (Real-life piglet squids aren’t quite this adorable.) The story follows Ally as she navigates her Little Mermaid-like dreams and the stark realities of her interactions with humans. Here’s a glimpse of the plot:

At the core of the narrative is Ally, a curious and lovable piglet squid residing in the mysterious depths of the South Pacific Ocean. She yearns to see the sun and become the star of a wildlife documentary. However, her tranquil existence is disrupted when a mysterious aircraft crashes into the ocean, plunging her world into chaos. Joined by her vibrant and loyal, albeit unlikely, friends, Ally embarks on an extraordinary adventure that leads her to the surface. Drawing inspiration from fascinating real-life marine creatures, the film delves into themes of friendship and bravery, as the interactions between humans and deep-sea creatures transform both realms. With breathtaking underwater visuals and thrilling action sequences, this family-friendly adventure promises a blend of humor and heartfelt moments.

While it may sound like a delightful, kid-friendly tale akin to a Disney or Pixar classic, Bong’s storytelling often carries a darker edge. His recurring themes — including environmental concerns, human greed, and the harsh realities of power dynamics and animal cruelty — hint that this won’t be a simple, whimsical film. It could resemble Bong’s previous work, Okja, which presented a family-friendly narrative about a cute, hippo-like “super pig” caught in the crosshairs of the meat industry. We’ll have to wait until 2027 to see how Ally unfolds.