On the subject of the greatest motion pictures of 2024, there are loads that match the invoice. We might deliver up Oscar’s Finest Image winner, Anora, or we might discuss in regards to the Finest Worldwide Movie, I’m Nonetheless Right here, however at the moment, I’m going to follow animated movies. And, in fact, meaning I’m going to speak about Stream.
Whereas I’ve mentioned my favourite 2024 animated movies intimately earlier than, I’ve by no means given myself the time to jot down an article particularly about Stream. A few of my colleagues have joined the fan membership—like Philip Sledge, who wrote about watching Stream together with his household—however, I hadn’t revisited the film.
Till now, that’s, after I was on a six-hour flight again to New York and wanted one thing to move the time. Stream was accessible, so I clicked on it and began rewatching the movie that had meant a lot to me in 2024.
It nonetheless hits, even figuring out the way it ends, however I’ve to say there’s one facet that modified my perspective on each Cat and Whale – which is what I am calling them as a result of they don’t have any precise names within the film. And, my thoughts was modified a lot that I’ve to speak about it.
I All the time Thought That Cat And Whale Have been Kind Of The Similar For A Time
I at all times believed Cat and Whale to form of be the identical in the case of their personalities.
Cat, to me, was a loner, which traces up with the best way most cats are. They have an inclination to roam the world on their very own, scrounging for meals or regardless of the case could also be, and in the event that they occur to discover a pleasant human alongside the best way, good for them. Whales are much more social, from what I do know, not less than with their very own household, however this whale was at all times alone.
The truth is, we by no means see Whale with anybody else. This is the reason, for a time, I assumed Cat and Whale have been the identical sort of character. Each are loners preferring to roam the world alone and due to that, there’s a mutual understanding between them. It’s a purpose why I feel Whale helps Cat when Cat is drowning within the ocean and might’t use his small paw to get again to the floor (horrifying, by the best way, scarier than any of the greatest horror motion pictures on the market).
However upon rewatching, I began to note one thing about these two, particularly with the ending.
However Now I’ve Began To Notice That Their Roles Reverse At The Finish
Probably the greatest moments of Stream is on the very finish, once we see Cat staring right into a puddle surrounded by his new pals. This parallels the start second of him staring into the puddle alone, and it’s a good way to finish his story.
However, the second with Whale – when Cat finds it beached up on the shore as a result of the water ranges have dropped drastically – that’s after I started to comprehend one thing. Their roles have been by no means the identical – their lives have shifted due to the circumstances.
When the floods started, Whale was much more at house with it (for apparent causes) than Cat was. Whereas Cat was struggling to outlive by itself with out pals, Whale was as blissful as a duck in a pond — or reasonably, an enormous mammal in an enormous ocean. Cat wanted pals to outlive. And for a second, Whale was that good friend when it saved Cat — a good friend in a time the place Whale was snug.
However now, Whale is alone, dying on the seashore, determined for assist, for pals. However sadly, on this situation, he cannot have the one factor that Cat now has over him to be relaxed in his darkest hour.
After which there’s Cat, who’s not alone—and has pals—however can do nothing to assist the Whale prefer it helped him. Whereas he’s now snug with the bottom, because the water stage has fallen drastically, he cannot do something to ease the Whale’s troubles. All he can do is consolation him with pals close by.
That form of realization is a intestine punch. It’s situations like this that make me cry as a lot as I did when I watched Previous Lives for the primary time. And it’s one thing I’ll always remember.
It Actually Wraps Up The Story Very Properly
One of the best half is that it actually wraps up the story of each Cat and Whale loads higher than I beforehand thought it did. It alters our views, modifications how we really feel in regards to the characters, and tidies up a narrative that had extra twists and turns than a backwoods highway. It made me wish to cry and chuckle all on the similar time.
There’s one thing stunning about it, too. The truth that these two mammals, so totally different in construct, construction, and all the things else, share this second that is stuffed with human-like emotion – loneliness and this want for companionship. It’s one thing you’d by no means count on, and it hits onerous.
Granted, we do see a whale rise above the ocean in a post-credits scene, so who is aware of – the Whale may need made it out alive. However for now, I feel I’m content material with how this ended, at the same time as tragically stunning as it’s.
For those who haven’t had the prospect to see Stream, it’s accessible on Max and is a movie that can completely change your outlook on life usually. Sure, I’m speaking an enormous recreation about it, however there’s a purpose it was part of the winners on the 2025 Academy Awards. You don’t wish to miss it.