critics consensus

Although its visual overstimulation threatens to derail its themes, Cryptozoo is an ambitious and unique critique of capitalistic values. Read critic reviews

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Cryptozoo Photos

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Movie Info

Cryptozoo is a hand drawn, gritty and fantastical parable about society versus the individual. A zoo that rescues mythological creatures in psychedelic 1960’s San Francisco races the U.S. Military to find and save a Baku, a Japanese dream-eating cryptid, to prevent the military from using the Baku to eat the dreams of the counterculture and suppress the anti-Vietnam War movement.

Genre:

animation, fantasy
Original Language:

English
Director:

Dash Shaw
Producer:

Kyle Martin, Jane Samborski, Bill Way, Tyler Davidson
Writer:

Dash Shaw
Runtime:

1h 30m

Cast & Crew

Michael Cera
Matthew
Voice

Lake Bell
Lauren Grey
Voice

Angeliki Papoulia
Phoebe
Voice

Louisa Krause
Amber
Voice

Thomas Jay Ryan
Nicholas
Voice

Alex Karpovsky
David
Voice

Show all Cast & Crew

News & Interviews for Cryptozoo

10 Genre Films at Sundance 2021 That Could Become Breakout Hits

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Critic Reviews for Cryptozoo

All Critics (47) | Top Critics (9) | Fresh (33) | Rotten (14)

This psychedelic paean to biodiversity and acceptance in a xenophobic world is alternately marvelous and messy.

February 4, 2021 | Full Review…

David Rooney
Hollywood Reporter
This should solidify [Shaw's] rep as one of the most exciting new creators of cinematic animation.

February 2, 2021 | Rating: 3/4 | Full Review…

Randy Myers
San Jose Mercury News
Yet for all this thoughtful plotting and intriguing visuals, this adventure feels flat.

February 1, 2021 | Full Review…

Kristy Puchko
RogerEbert.com
Cryptozoo winds up as a window into a decidedly uncommercial mind, and a form of storytelling that isn't the practiced, polished committee effort that comes out of animation houses like Disney and DreamWorks.

February 1, 2021 | Full Review…

Tasha Robinson
Polygon
It's a less-funny Adult Swim cartoon that drags on far too long for the little emotional investment it cultivates.

January 31, 2021 | Full Review…

Johnny Oleksinski
New York Post
This time out, Shaw (in collaboration with animation director Jane Samborski) is even more assured as both a storyteller and as a crafter of images, be they outrageous or gorgeous, haunting or hilarious.

January 30, 2021 | Full Review…

Alonso Duralde
TheWrap
The animated adult version of fantastic beasts with plenty of violence that doesn't entirely work.

March 6, 2021 | Rating: 2/5 | Full Review…

Rosa Parra
In Their Own League
The animation is the greatest strength here, with its echoes of Yellow Submarine and Fantastic Planet. Lake Bell gives a heartfelt central performance as Lauren and without her at the centre, the film would fall apart.

February 25, 2021 | Rating: 3.5/5 | Full Review…

Fiona Underhill
JumpCut Online
If you ever drew dragons on your school notebooks this movie is for you.

February 16, 2021 | Rating: B | Full Review…

Eric D. Snider
Crooked Marquee
It sounds insane, but somehow "Cryptozoo" keeps that vital inch away from being too mad.

February 13, 2021 | Full Review…

Sarah Manvel
Critic's Notebook
The strangely earnest action movie never plays for laughs, and creates a weirdly touching portrait of sustained persecution in a hostile world where the strong exploit the weak, the feverishly exotic is always a threat, and no one is ever safe.

February 12, 2021 | Full Review…

Stephen Garrett
Book & Film Globe
When something like Dash Shaw and Jane Samborski's Cryptozoo comes along, it's easy to recognize as one of the most gorgeous works of American animation in ages.

February 8, 2021 | Full Review…

Juan Barquin
The Film Stage