Belle (2021)

2021

122 mins

A teenage girl in a rural town suddenly has the attention of an online universe in this sci-fi fantasy anime... More

A teenage girl in a rural town suddenly has the attention of an online universe in this sci-fi fantasy anime from Mamoru Hosoda, writer-director of the Academy Award-nominated Mirai.

Suzu is a 17-year-old high school student living in a rural town with her father. Wounded by the loss of her mother at a young age, Suzu one day discovers the massive online world "U" and dives into this alternate reality as her avatar, Belle. Before long, all of U's eyes are fixed on Belle, when, suddenly, a mysterious dragon-like figure appears before her.

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Where to watch Belle (2021)

Belle (2021) is available to stream in New Zealand now... More on Google TV and Apple TV Store and Academy On Demand and AroVision.

Belle (2021) | Ratings & Reviews

95_%129 reviews
Rotten Tomatoes® rating
95_%816 reviews
Audience score rating
13+Age suitability
Children & Media rating

"The at times convoluted story can’t help feeling limiting as our imaginations tease all the stuff being ignored..."

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Variety

"An immersive experience for anyone willing to give anime a try."

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Hollywood Reporter

"A beautifully drawn sci-fi fairy tale..."

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The Telegraph

"A movie that unfolds like a technicolour parade of stray ideas..."

"Captivating..."

"It’s high time to mention Studio Chizu in the same breath as Studio Ghibli, because this one is an absolute feast."

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Time Out

"Spiritual, mystical, beautiful, and sort of weird..."

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NPR

"(Hosoda) gives us his most visually stunning and varied film to date..."

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Collider

"Hosoda continues to build on an impressive body of work, dealing with heavy themes in a sensitive and artistic manner."

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Little White Lies

"For all of the film's visually striking action... it's the generosity of spirit with which it approaches the modern teenage experience that's its most impressive attribute."

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