Boys Go to Jupiter is something rare these days: an animated feature with a fully unique vision. The first and self-financed feature from artist and animator Julian Glander (Off the Air, Summer Camp Island) is many things: a commentary on hustle culture and the gig economy, a musical, E.T. if it took place in the suburbia from Edward Scissorhands, and a teen hangout comedy. Featuring Glander’s signature low-poly CGI aesthetic and surreal humor, this is a future weirdo animation cult classic in the making, and a clear hidden gem at this year’s festival.
Set in suburban Florida at the end of the year, the film follows Billy 5000, a 16-year-old high school dropout who operates a a delivery guy for Grubster. (Deliverers are required to call food “grub” and say “have a grubby day” upon leaving.) Billy’s goal is to make $5000, which he attempts by delivering food to various bizarre inhabitants. When Billy isn’t trying to grind out as many deliveries as possible without sleeping, he’s hanging out with his troublemaking friends and striking up a friendship with Rozebud a.k.a. Rosario Dolphin, the daughter of ruthless juice magnate and scientist Dr. Dolphin of Dolphin Groves (which Rozebud is trying to take down from within). It’s clear that Billy’s workaholic life is increasingly taking its toll on his health and his friendships, and the fact that he’s trying to hide that a mysterious gelatinous, donut-shaped creature has suddenly befriended him doesn’t make things easier.
Animated with the style (and humor) of a quirky PS1 game, the lo-fi animation not only charms, but also makes it stand out in a generally uniform CGI landscape. Honestly, the visuals made me smile just as much as the film’s absurdist comedy, which is complemented by an incredible voice cast of alt-comics and a few notable names. Of particular note is Janeane Garofalo’s great turn as Dr. Dolphin, as well as Miya Folick’s performance as Rozebud. Her song “Winter Citrus” will likely remain in your head long after the film ends. Taking inspiration from such films as Napoleon Dynamite and Ghost World, the eccentric locals Billy delivers food to make the already fantastical premise seem par for the course. Among the customers are a shadowed figure who insists Billy pre-chew their food for an extra tip, a mysterious spaghetti critic, and an aging mini-golf course owner perfectly voiced by Joe Pera.
Fittingly for the film’s animation style, the neighborhood has the feel of a video game where one travels around to interact with various oddball NPCs. Yet this also speaks to the deeper melancholy of Billy’s character, constantly going from place to place in pursuit of “G-points” (Grubster’s system that makes it more difficult to track how much money one is actually making). The frequent absurdity is mixed with social commentary, and as Billy grinds out deliveries, he occasionally breaks into synth-laden, often existentialist tracks about his life choices and the constant pursuit for his economic goal. A lot of this movie has the feel of something you don’t so much watch as let wash over you, and the musical portions definitely add to that. (“I Hope They Have Chickens In Heaven” serves as an unexpected tear-jerker.)
To be honest, I really haven’t seen an animated feature like this. If you grew up watching Adult Swim or are simply looking for something different in animated movies, this movie is for you and I really hope this gets to be seen by a wider audience. Boys Go to Jupiter is a trippy, funny, otherworldly take on our workaholic world. Stay tuned for more on my coverage of the 2024 Tribeca Festival.
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