Adult Swim’s The Elephant (2025)
Story overview
Adult Swim's The Elephant (2025) is a 23-minute animated science fiction drama directed by Rebecca Sugar and Ian Jones-Quartey, featuring voice performances by Jordan Jensen, Maria Bamford, and SungWon Cho. Presented in three distinct segments by four animation creators, it explores a human journey of self-discovery through varied artistic styles, blending imaginative sci-fi elements with emotional depth in a concise format.
Parent Guide
This animated short is a thought-provoking exploration of identity and self-discovery through varied artistic lenses. It's best suited for mature children and teens who can appreciate abstract themes and emotional narratives. The lack of a rating suggests it may contain mild elements typical of Adult Swim content, so parental guidance is advised.
Content breakdown
Possible mild peril or conflict related to the journey theme, but no graphic violence expected given the animation style and runtime.
Some scenes might be emotionally intense or visually abstract, which could be unsettling for sensitive viewers, but not overtly frightening.
No strong language anticipated; dialogue likely focuses on thematic exploration.
No sexual content or nudity expected in this short film.
No depiction of substance use.
Themes of self-discovery and identity may provoke thoughtful or emotional responses, especially in older viewers.
Parent tips
This short film is suitable for older children and teens due to its abstract themes and potential for emotional intensity. Preview it first to gauge appropriateness for your child's maturity level. The segmented structure and varied animation styles may appeal to creative viewers, but younger children might find the narrative confusing. Discuss the themes of self-discovery and identity afterward to enhance understanding.
Parent chat guide
Parent follow-up questions
- Did you like the colors in the movie?
- Was there a funny part you remember?
- Can you draw your favorite character?
- What do you think the elephant was trying to find?
- How did the animation change in each part?
- Would you want to go on a journey like that?
- Why do you think the creators used different styles for each segment?
- What does self-discovery mean to you after watching this?
- How did the sci-fi elements add to the story?
- How does the film use animation to explore human emotions?
- What cultural or artistic influences might be present in the styles?
- Discuss the balance between drama and science fiction in conveying the theme.
Where to watch
Choose region:
- HBO Max
- HBO Max Amazon Channel
- Adult Swim
- Adultswim Amazon Channel
- Amazon Video
- Apple TV Store
- Plex
- Google Play Movies
- YouTube
- Fandango At Home
Trailer
Trailer playback is unavailable in your region.
