Boys Go To Jupiter Review (Glasgow Film Festival 2025)

We’re entering a new age of animation and Julian Glander’s debut feature film Boys Go To Jupiter leads the front with a cute, charming and consistently entertaining animation style, made entirely in the free software Blender. Glander’s efforts come at a time where animated films from the big studios have been under controversy for AI use and low-quality storytelling: two things Glander combats with incredible originality.

Following the sometimes stagnant and occasionally sad journey of main character Billy 5000 (voiced by Jack Corbett), Boys Go To Jupiter manages to comment with some cheekiness on the gig economy, the loneliness it creates and the little payoff it can sometimes bring. Although the film comments on such vast themes, it’s sliced by the intelligent and dead-pan humour of a cast that would have any chronically online TikTok star-struck, with Billy and his friends Freckles (Grace Kuhlenschmidt), Beatbox (Elsie Fisher) and Peanut (J.R Phillips) creating a comedic language that feels so unique, you feel like you’ve been let in on a secret.

No one will understand your love for the animated Donut’s silly little noises, or the Bo Burnham, 2010-esque feel of the film’s score, unless they watch Glander’s work: and that’s a blessing – the more that flock to such a unique turning point in accessible full length animated features, the better. Of course, there’s such a similarity to the indie video game style of animation that might have the tendency to alienate those less familiar with such a style, but I’d argue that the diversity of characters’ personalities in the film means that there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Whether it’s the acerbic humour, the stupid stunts, the silly made-up places or the colourful, eclectic backdrops that make you want to change your phone background immediately, Glander’s laid a pretty solid foundation and a pretty high standard for coming-of-age animated films going forward.

We’re often spoiled by such a vast selection of cinematic aesthetics to choose from or to be inspired by and although it could be argued that the colour palettes of Boys Go To Jupiter are very Wes Andersonian in nature, as well as the bluntness and simplicity of the dialogue, I think Glander’s brought the freedom of the animated web-series and the dedication of the long-form storyline together, catalysed by a refreshing creative vision borne from the video game medium. That’s probably the reason why Boys Go To Jupiter feels so brilliant, animated films tend to use the same techniques whereas Glander is helping to inspire a new frontier of animators.

Made under time constraints and other complications arising from strikes and the pandemic, Glander and co have created a treat for the eyes and the heart, unforgettably beautiful and inspiringly charming.