The animated feature film Julián, an adaptation of Jessica Love’s celebrated children’s book Julián Is a Mermaid, made its North American debut at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), garnering immediate acclaim for its portrayal of identity, family, and unconditional love. Produced by the Academy Award-nominated studio Cartoon Saloon and directed by Louise Bagnall, the film expands the 40-page source material into an 85-minute exploration of a young boy’s journey toward self-discovery in a vibrant Brooklyn neighborhood.
Industry analysts suggest that the film stands out in a crowded 2026 animation market dominated by major franchise sequels and high-budget intellectual properties. While this year has seen the release of The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, Toy Story 5, and PAW Patrol: The Dino Movie, Julián offers a distinct, hand-drawn alternative that prioritizes emotional depth and cultural specificity. The production marks a significant milestone for Cartoon Saloon, the Irish studio behind The Secret of Kells and Wolfwalkers, as it ventures into a contemporary American setting.
The narrative follows Julián, voiced by Knyght Darius Jack, as he spends a pivotal summer with his Dominican American grandmother, Abuela, voiced by Milcania Diaz-Rojas. Set against the backdrop of a bustling Afro-Latino community in Brooklyn, the story begins with Julián’s father, Javi, dropping him off for an extended stay. From the outset, the film establishes Julián as a child with a boundless imagination and a deep affinity for the ocean, qualities that eventually collide with his grandmother’s more traditional parenting style.
Expanding the World of Julián Is a Mermaid
The transition from a concise picture book to a feature-length film required a significant expansion of the original plot and character roster. While the book focuses primarily on a single transformative afternoon, the film develops the relationship between Julián and Abuela over several weeks. This allows the audience to witness the friction and eventual harmony between Julián’s fluid self-expression and his grandmother’s "my way or the highway" approach to discipline.
Director Louise Bagnall introduces new supporting characters to enrich the protagonist’s world, including a trio of local girls who serve as Julián’s introduction to the concept of "mersonas." These girls are preparing for the annual Mermaid Parade at Coney Island, a real-world Brooklyn tradition that celebrates creativity and nautical themes. Their influence encourages Julián to embrace his own desire to be a mermaid, a wish that serves as a central metaphor for his emerging identity.
The film also explores the complexities of intergenerational expectations within the Latino diaspora. A key conflict arises when Abuela and her friends misinterpret Julián’s interest in the girls as early signs of heteronormative "lady killer" behavior. This misunderstanding leads to a poignant scene where Abuela gives Julián a short-cropped haircut to highlight his "handsome face," unaware that he desired long braids to match his mermaid-inspired vision of himself.
Visual Artistry and Creative Direction
In a departure from the watercolor aesthetic of Jessica Love’s illustrations, the film Julián adopts a visual style that mimics the texture of markers and crayons. This creative choice is intended to reflect the protagonist’s own love of drawing and his youthful, energetic perspective. The animation avoids the three-dimensional CGI common in modern theatrical releases, opting instead for a vibrant, 2D approach that emphasizes soft edges and bouncy character designs.
Critics have noted that the film’s visual language shifts dramatically during sequences where Julián’s imagination takes hold. In these moments, the urban landscape of Brooklyn transforms into a surreal underwater world where aquatic goddesses rise and whale sharks soar through a sky filled with stars. These segments have drawn comparisons to the whimsical works of Studio Ghibli, particularly Spirited Away and Ponyo, as well as the expressive style of television series like Steven Universe and Craig of the Creek.
The use of color plays a vital role in the storytelling, with the warm, saturated tones of the neighborhood contrasting with the cooler, ethereal blues of Julián’s dreamscapes. This visual contrast highlights the tension between the boy’s internal world and the external pressures he faces to conform to societal norms. The animation team at Cartoon Saloon reportedly utilized specialized digital tools to maintain a "hand-crafted" feel, ensuring that every frame retained the tactile quality of a child’s sketchbook.
Themes of Identity and Community Acceptance
At its core, the film Julián is a story about the challenges faced by LGBTQ+ youth, even when those identities are not yet formally labeled. The narrative does not rely on a traditional "coming out" arc; instead, it focuses on the universal experience of a child fighting for the right to be themselves. The screenplay addresses the weight of gender norms and the "stifling" nature of being told that one’s natural self is "too much."
The relationship between Julián and Abuela serves as the film’s emotional anchor. While Abuela initially fears how the community will react to her grandson’s unconventional behavior, her journey toward acceptance is depicted as a gradual realization of love. The film portrays her struggle not as one of malice, but as a misguided attempt to protect Julián from a world she perceives as judgmental.
The climax of the film takes place at the Coney Island Mermaid Parade, which serves as a sanctuary for Julián and his friends. This sequence is described as a "rousing action sequence" that sees Julián running away from home to join the festivities. The parade itself is depicted as a kaleidoscope of diversity, featuring a wide array of body types, colorful hair, and queer-coded characters who provide a sense of belonging for the young protagonist.
Industry Reception and Cultural Impact
The premiere of Julián at TIFF has sparked discussions regarding the importance of diverse representation in family entertainment. By centering an Afro-Latino family and exploring themes of gender non-conformity, the film addresses a significant gap in the current animation landscape. Early reviews suggest that the film’s emotional resonance is bolstered by its authentic voice acting and its refusal to simplify the complexities of cultural and personal identity.
Voice actor Knyght Darius Jack has been singled out for his ability to convey both the exuberant joy and the quiet heartbreak of his character. Industry experts believe that the film’s success could encourage major studios to invest in more original, creator-driven projects rather than relying solely on established franchises. The partnership between Cartoon Saloon and the film’s distributors is seen as a model for bringing high-quality independent animation to a global audience.
Furthermore, the film’s depiction of the Mermaid Parade has been praised for its accuracy and its celebration of New York City’s unique cultural fabric. By grounding the magical elements of the story in a real-world location, the filmmakers have created a narrative that feels both timeless and contemporary. The inclusion of "queer-coded mermaids" and diverse community members at the parade reinforces the film’s message that finding one’s community is a vital part of the human experience.
A New Standard for Animated Adaptations
The success of Julián as a "wonderful movie" is attributed to its ability to expand upon its source material without losing the heart of the original story. While many adaptations struggle to fill a feature-length runtime, Julián uses the extra time to build a more nuanced world and more deeply developed characters. The film’s 85-minute duration is described as tightly paced, moving from childish shenanigans to profound emotional beats with ease.
One of the most discussed aspects of the film is its handling of sadness and shame. A sequence in which Julián "locks his imaginary friend in a jewelry box" is cited as a powerful metaphor for the suppression of identity. The shift in animation from fluid, spirited movement to stilted, restricted motions during these scenes effectively communicates the protagonist’s internal distress to the audience.
As the 2026 film season progresses, Julián is expected to remain a strong contender during the awards cycle. Its combination of technical mastery, cultural relevance, and emotional honesty has positioned it as a standout achievement in modern animation. The film not only honors the spirit of Jessica Love’s book but also establishes itself as a significant work of art that speaks to audiences of all ages.
Final Outlook and Future Prospects
Following its successful run at TIFF, Julián is scheduled for a wider theatrical release later this year. The film’s producers are hopeful that its message of acceptance will resonate with families across the globe, particularly in regions where diverse stories are increasingly in demand. Educational organizations and LGBTQ+ advocacy groups have already expressed interest in using the film as a resource for promoting empathy and understanding among children.
The legacy of Julián is likely to be defined by its contribution to the "cathedral of animation," as it stands alongside other beloved works that celebrate the medium as a legitimate art form. By focusing on a small, personal story with universal themes, the creators have produced a film that is both intimate and grand in its scope. As audiences prepare to experience Julián’s summer in Brooklyn, the film serves as a reminder that the most powerful stories are often those that allow us to see the world through the eyes of someone finding their own light.
