This Stop-Motion Animation Masterpiece Is the Hidden Gem You Can't Miss on Apple TV

Adam Elliot made a name for himself in 2003 with the premiere of his short film Harvie Krumpet, which went on to win an Oscar. Six years later, the Australian's debut feature was released. Mary and Max – the story of a pen pal friendship between a teenage girl and a lonely man.

And now, 15 years later, the audience has been waiting for the master's second project. Memoir of a Snail is a stop-motion animation that is completely free of cartoon naivety. The movie addresses issues such as religious fanaticism and depression – so get the kids away from the screen.

What Is Memoir of a Snail About?

A lonely woman, Grace, begins to remember the past after the death of her elderly friend, Pinky. The woman spent her childhood with her twin brother, Gilbert, a fearless young man who always protected his sister and dreamed of becoming a street artist.

But after the death of their father, the siblings' paths diverged: Grace was adopted by an eccentric couple, and Gilbert ended up on the other side of Australia with a family of religious fundamentalists. The twins never stop writing letters to each other, believing that one day fate will bring them together again.

Like Tim Burton, Adam Elliot Tells Stories about Outsiders

Elliot's creations are united not only by visual and stylistic solutions, but also by similar characters. Like Tim Burton, the director dedicates his films to outsiders.

Both the friends in Mary and Max and the twins in Memoir of a Snail are people who do not fit into social frameworks and face misunderstanding and even aggression from others.

Bullying and loneliness haunt Grace from an early age: only at home with her brother and father does the girl feel like herself, safe and in harmony. Elliot paints an idyllic landscape of family happiness: relatives read books ranging from Franz Kafka to Lord of the Flies, and organize hairstyle contests.

Far from cloudless, but still warm childhood ends with the death of the father: forced growing up is overshadowed by a quick separation. Grace repeats – twins have two souls, but one heart. All that remains is to wait for it to beat again with full force.

Snail Is a Touching Metaphor for Life

Snails are no coincidence in the title. Grace is literally obsessed with the slow creatures: her father knits a snail hat for his daughter, and over time she surrounds herself with souvenirs and other trinkets related to snails.

Soon, the hermit herself becomes a creature accustomed to hiding. For years, Grace takes no risks and lives in perpetual anticipation – news of her brother, a meeting with him, happiness that is sure to come.

Adam Elliot first overwhelms the audience with unbearable melancholy and a sense of hopelessness, and in the last act gives hope: yes, bad things happen to good people, but the most important thing is not to be afraid to live life and to greedily study this complex, amazing world.

Where to Watch Memoir of a Snail?

Memoir of a Snail is available to rent or buy on Apple TV.