In a post-apocalyptic world devastated by a great flood, an unlikely group of animals — a cat, a capybara, a lemur, a bird, and a dog — takes refuge together in the same boat in search of dry land. A film by Gints Zilbalodis.

An unnamed black cat is startled when a pack of domestic dogs races past it, chasing a wild rabbit through the forest. The cat then returns to its familiar place: an abandoned cabin surrounded by several mysterious cat sculptures. It appears they were made by the former owner, who no longer lives there. The cat jumps and climbs to the second floor through a broken window, where it settles down for a nap.

The cat once again encounters the same pack of domestic dogs near a shallow river where they are attempting to catch fish. When the dogs start fighting over a fish, the cat seizes the opportunity to snatch it away. However, a Labrador Retriever spots the cat and alerts the other dogs. The dogs chase the cat through the forest, but it manages to escape them.

But moments later, they unexpectedly race back past the cat in the same direction, followed by a stampeding herd of deer, as if they’re all fleeing from something. Before the cat can react, it is swept up by a massive tidal wave. The cat manages to reach higher ground, where it encounters the Labrador Retriever, now separated from its pack – the other dogs having landed on the opposite side of the river, which now runs deep and flows rapidly. The Labrador Retriever follows the cat back to the abandoned cabin.

The water continues to rise, slowly flooding the area surrounding the cabin. Suddenly, a boat approaches. The Labrador Retriever signals to the cat, but as the cat is about to climb down, it freezes upon noticing other dogs have occupied the boat. The cat decides to stay put while the Labrador Retriever jumps aboard and leaves with the other dogs. Eventually, the rising water forces the cat to abandon the cabin and climb to higher ground, seeking refuge atop a gigantic cat statue. But the water keeps rising until it reaches the statue’s peak, leaving the cat stranded.

Just as all hope seems lost, another boat approaches. With no other choice, the cat takes the risk and jumps aboard, only to discover the boat isn’t empty – it’s occupied by a capybara.

The boat sails through a flooded forest and stops at a stone tower where a lemur lives, surrounded by its collection of junk. The capybara drags the lemur’s basket of belongings onto the boat, forcing the lemur to jump aboard just before the rising water engulfs the entire tower.

Later, a secretary bird joins the group after rescuing the cat from its hostile flock – an act that results in a broken wing and its exile from the flock. The secretary bird proves to be intelligent, taking on the role of helmsman for the boat. The cat also encounters the Labrador Retriever once again, now separated from its pack. Recognizing the cat, the Labrador joins them on their journey.

Directed by Latvian filmmaker Gints Zilbalodis from a screenplay co-written with Matīss Kaža, Flow (Straume) is an exceptional animated film that follows a black cat’s journey to survive in a post-apocalyptic world devastated by a great flood.

The film features breathtaking visuals and fluid, beautiful camera movements, accompanied by a stunning soundtrack and captivating narrative as we follow an unlikely group of animals traversing a flooded world in search of dry land. With no dialogue in the film – as these animals (a cat, a capybara, a lemur, a bird, and a dog) cannot communicate in the same manner – I found myself captivated by the unpredictable story, feeling as if I were tagging along on their journey, witnessing the obstacles they encounter along the way.

However, Flow falls into a similar dilemma as The WILD ROBOT, where the filmmaker’s decision to give certain animals human-like traits feels forced and unnatural to their true nature.

Nevertheless, Flow stands as one of the year’s best films. Its ending beautifully captures the circle of life, and for those curious about the whale’s fate, there’s an impressive post-credits scene that’s worth staying for.

Flow premiered at Festival de Cannes in the Un Certain Regard section on 22 May 2024. The film also screened at Annecy Festival on 10 June, where it was awarded Prix du jury (Jury Award), Prix Fondation Gan à la Diffusion (Gan Foundation Award for Distribution), and Prix du public (Audience Award).

It was theatrically released in France on 30 October, by UFO Distribution. The film will receive a limited theatrical release in the United States on 22 November, by Janus Films and Sideshow, before expanding nationwide on 6 November.

Straume was theatrically released in Latvia on 28 August, and it was selected as the Latvian entry for Best International Feature Film for the 2025 Academy Awards.