Entergalactic
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this TV show.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Entergalactic is an animated movie released simultaneously with and featuring the music of the album of the same name by Kid Cudi. The story revolves around two artists and next-door neighbors who meet and fall in love, and the overall tone is light, sweet, and romantic. Some of the subject matter is quite mature, however, with main character Jabari and his friends taking drugs in several scenes (including psychedelics, cannabis, and alcohol), and sexual scenes that show male and female characters nude and making suggestive movements (we see naked male buttocks on two occasions). Jabari is also a smoker; he smokes many cigarettes on-screen, and even brushes his teeth while smoking. Cursing is also frequent, including "motherf----r," "f--k," "s--t," "bitch," and the "N" word. Most characters are people of color, and race plays a part in the narrative, though romance is the central thrust.
What's the Story?
Released on the same day as the Kid Cudi album of the same name (and featuring its music), ENTERGALACTIC tells the story of Jabari (Cudi), a comics artist who's just been hired to build a new series around his character Mr. Rager, and who moves into a new Manhattan apartment for his new job. There he meets his new next-door neighbor Meadow (Jessica Williams), a photographer on the verge of her first gallery show. Both are too busy for love ... or so they think. Timothée Chalamet and Ty Dolla $ign also star as Jabari's supportive best buds.
Is It Any Good?
Romantic and dreamy, this animated special for adults is surprisingly relatable for a narrative in which pixilated lovers literally ascend into the stars when overcome by emotions. The truth is that the visuals in Entergalactic are surreal and trippy (a candy-colored NYC, a bicycle that doubles for a rocket ship, a comic book character who smirks from walls and pages), but the emotions are all too humble and human, telling a simple story of a sincere boy and a hopeful girl who meet, strike sparks, experience conflict, and then find a way to come together once more.
Jabari, our hero who's just landed his dream job at a comics publisher, has absolutely no intention of disrupting his cool new NYC bachelor existence, just as Meadow, his impossibly cool artist neighbor doesn't want to complicate her struggle for career legitimacy with emotions. No matter. The dreamy music and visuals show us how right they are for each other, at first hesitant and nervous, yet drawn to each other. Later, we see their bliss as their hands and bodies entwine (the sex scenes are a shade more explicit than parents may feel comfortable watching with kids), their connection sending them into a pastel galaxy dotted with planets and stars. It's a potent visual metaphor for the soaring bliss of romantic connection, and viewers will truly, delightfully, feel the love.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can discuss the messages in Entergalactic. What does this special seem to be saying about the difference between how we're perceived and how we feel inside? What about the importance of emotional vulnerability, and how that's related to connecting to others?
What does animation make possible that's difficult to show using live action? Can storylines or visuals be more surreal and still be acceptable? How does Entergalactic compare to other animated narratives you have seen?
Families can also talk about how Jabari shows courage and compassion. Why are these important character strengths?
TV Details
- Premiere date: September 30, 2022
- Cast: Kid Cudi, Jessica Williams, Timothée Chalamet
- Network: Netflix
- Genre: Drama
- Character Strengths: Communication, Integrity, Self-control
- TV rating: TV-MA
- Last updated: October 12, 2022
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