Boys Go to Jupiter Review: A Nightmare Landscape of Late-Stage Capitalism in an Open-Source Format

      Boys Go to Jupiter, an animated feature created and directed by Pittsburgh-based 3D artist Julian Glander, is undoubtedly a product of its time—specifically, the present. As noted in the press release: “[The film] was self-produced and animated entirely over 90 days using the free open-source 3D modeling application Blender. Peisin Yang Lazo served as the executive producer.” The film runs for approximately 85 minutes and boasts an impressive voice cast that includes Elsie Fisher, Julio Torres, Sarah Sherman, Joe Pera, Janeane Garofalo, Demi Adejuyigbe, Cole Escola, and Eva Victor, among others. It is often humorous yet occasionally contemplative about the screen-filled life we find ourselves ensnared in. Although it might drag at times, it remains captivating and consistently quirky.

      Billy 5000 (Jack Corbett) is a teenager in Florida striving to earn five thousand dollars through gig work. His primary job involves delivering food for the DoorDash-style service Grubster (“Have a Grubby Day!”). He spends his time with friends around an empty swimming pool and local chain restaurants amid vacant construction sites. When Billy encounters a peculiar alien named Donut, he becomes the target of the nefarious Dolphin Groves Juice Company, which is eager to capture and exploit Donut. They offer Billy 5000 a handsome sum to turn him in, creating a moral conflict for our protagonist: choose the money or preserve your soul?

      The animation style is a vibrant, unsettling take on The Sims blended with elements reminiscent of Google Street View. This visual approach is paired with themes of late-stage capitalism centered on living through your phone, anticipating the right moment, and doing everything possible to remain engaged in a world that is increasingly indifferent to you. Adejuyigbe’s performance as the online financial advisor named Mr. Moolah is especially impactful and unnerving. Garofalo also shines, as she consistently does.

      Glander expertly constructs a laid-back yet anxious atmosphere that feels original while simultaneously disturbingly relatable. The characters may appear simple, but they are emotionally rich. At one point, Billy asks Gail 5000 (Eva Victor) what to do if he isn't as intelligent as he believes. She replies, “you wouldn’t be allowed to be so off-putting.” Dry humor propels the story through its brief yet occasionally drawn-out duration. At a key moment, a character starkly states: “Not doing anything is still a decision.” Boys Go to Jupiter may seem straightforward, despite its various digressions and side characters. The film explores the search for meaning in a world that often feels devoid of purpose. Ultimately, the question remains: do we care enough about these characters to derive meaning from the movie itself? We should, as these characters represent us.

      Boys Go to Jupiter premieres on August 8.