Memoir of a Snail

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Memoir of a Snail

R

Released Oct 25, 2024

1h 34m

Comedy

Animation

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

95%

Tomatometer

142 Reviews

82%

Popcornmeter

50+ Verified Ratings

In 1970s Australia, Grace's life is troubled by misfortune and loss. After their mother dies during pregnancy, she and her twin brother, Gilbert, are raised by their paraplegic-alcoholic former juggler father, Percy. Despite a life filled with love, tragedy strikes anew when Percy passes away in his sleep. The siblings are forcibly separated and thrust into separate homes. Gilbert finds himself in the care of a cruel evangelical family, while Grace, grappling with intense loneliness, gradually withdraws into her shell, much like the snails she adopts. As the years pass, and despite new disappointments and sorrows, a glimmer of hope emerges when she strikes up an enduring friendship with an elderly eccentric woman called Pinky.

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Critics Consensus

This stop motion odyssey of hope triumphing over life's despair with humanity to spare makes Memoir of a Snail a deft, heartfelt tale.

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Tara Brady

Irish Times

Pitch-black humour occasionally punctures the misery of Elliot’s dark, antipodean fable. The jokes are quite angular. The number plate of the bus that takes Gilbert away reads YRUSAD. For all the gloom, this is a lovely, heartfelt creation.

Rated: 4/5

Feb 28, 2025

Full Review

Mark Kermode

Kermode and Mayo's Take (YouTube)

It's very funny, but it's also extremely poignant and at times, it's heartbreaking.

Feb 19, 2025

Full Review

Beth Webb

Empire Magazine

Weird and wonky in the best way, this is a compelling character study that makes its joys, however fleeting, feel truly earned.

Rated: 4/5

Feb 19, 2025

Full Review

Samantha Schuster

Cinéfilo Serial

Memoir of a Snail is one of those animated films for adults, which uses stop-motion techniques to tell a story full of tragedy, anguish, and drama, but which, despite everything, chooses to focus on the bright side of life. [Full Review in Spanish]

Rated: 4/5

Jul 17, 2025

Full Review

Wesley Lovell

Cinema Sight

Director Adam Elliot weaves a fascinating, off-kilter story about children who understand better than many of their adult counterparts that their unconventional natures are what set them apart

Rated: 3.5/4

Jul 6, 2025

Full Review

Heidy Morales

Hye's Musings

With Memoir of a Snail, Adam Elliot reminds us why he is one of animation’s unique voices. The film’s absurd humour, melancholy, and beautiful hand-crafted artistry create a humbling human experience.

Apr 25, 2025

Full Review

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Ben W

This was cute. I like the style and overall aesthetic, but I was very bored. I love dramas and slow burns, but this felt a bit like a drag, but it had a lot of charm. Go check it out.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

02/15/25

Full Review

Catherine H

Charming film with serious themes lightened with humor. Must see

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/12/25

Full Review

James E

Very slow moving, especially for an animated movie. Happy ending at the very end but extremely depressing for the first 75 minutes. Also the intro to the movie is a 1/2 hour interview with the writer which was incredibly boring. I'd much rather watch the commercials and preview.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/12/25

Full Review

Jalen S

Another great animated film released this year. Loved it.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/01/25

Full Review

dawn ☆

my new favorite movie

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/31/24

Full Review

Clint

Walked out around 30 minutes in, would not recommend at all, especially for children. Boring, weird, slow and didn't really care for the animation used.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

11/21/24

Full Review

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Adam Elliot

Director

Sarah Snook

Grace Pudel

Eric Bana

James the Magistrate

Jacki Weaver

Pinky

Kodi Smit-McPhee

Gilbert Pudel

Dominique Pinon

Percy

Memoir of a Snail: Exclusive Movie Clip -Grace Meets Pinky

1:03

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Memoir of a Snail: Trailer 1

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Memoir of a Snail: Teaser Trailer

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Synopsis

In 1970s Australia, Grace's life is troubled by misfortune and loss. After their mother dies during pregnancy, she and her twin brother, Gilbert, are raised by their paraplegic-alcoholic former juggler father, Percy. Despite a life filled with love, tragedy strikes anew when Percy passes away in his sleep. The siblings are forcibly separated and thrust into separate homes. Gilbert finds himself in the care of a cruel evangelical family, while Grace, grappling with intense loneliness, gradually withdraws into her shell, much like the snails she adopts. As the years pass, and despite new disappointments and sorrows, a glimmer of hope emerges when she strikes up an enduring friendship with an elderly eccentric woman called Pinky.

Director: Adam Elliot
Producer: Liz Kearney, Adam Elliot
Screenwriter: Adam Elliot
Distributor: IFC Films
Production Co: Arenamedia
Rating: R (Sexual Content|Nudity|Some Violent Content)
Genre: Comedy, Animation, Drama
Original Language: Australian English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 25, 2024, Limited
Box Office (Gross USA): $621.6K
Runtime: 1h 34m

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