Angel’s Egg

Title: Angel's Egg
Director: Mamoru Oshii
Release Date: December 15, 1985
Run Time: 71 minutes
Genres: Science Fiction, Fantasy
Starring: Jinpachi Nezu, Mako Hyodo, Justice Slocum, Brianna Knickerbocker
Where to Find It: Website
Where to Buy: Amazon
Rating:

In a desolate and dark world full of shadows, lives one little girl who seems to do nothing but collect water in jars and protect a large egg she carries everywhere. A mysterious man enters her life... and they discuss the world around them.

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Review

Angel’s Egg is a strange film, a cult classic from the 1980s that has left audiences confused and searching for meaning decades after the film was released. I leapt at the opportunity to watch this film during the 4K restoration theater release and I’m glad that I got to experience the film in this setting.

I’ll state right away that this film will not be for everyone, it’s a slow burn with minimal story. It’s also a relatively quiet film with very little dialogue, the lack of accompanying audio made each scene feel heavy in a way I couldn’t describe. I found myself hyper focusing on every detail, listening closely to every word of dialogue, which made every sound striking and impactful. With gorgeous artwork provided by the legendary Yoshitaka Amano, the film is a feast for the senses.

Everything about the film is steeped in religious symbolism that may or may not contain meaning depending on the viewer. As someone with a faith background the film spoke to me, and I found the film both beautiful and nihilistic. My husband and daughter on the other hand looked at me with bewilderment when the film ended and the lights came back on. I watched a few reviews after I got home and really enjoyed hearing different perspectives on the film, and although interpretations varied the one commonality is that each person’s views on the film were closely tied to their experiences and worldview.

This movie is a bit of an odd duck but that’s what makes it a fascinating work of art. The religious undertones set against a post-apocalyptic landscape made me nostalgic for the era of science fiction “angel punk” of the late 20th century. It’s a film worth experiencing, and I recommend approaching it without explanations or expectations.

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