Soul.movie «BEST • 2026»

The soul known as 22 is the perfect foil to Joe. A cynical, disembodied soul who has resided in the Great Before for eons, 22 has no desire to go to Earth. She (or they, as the character is genderless but voiced by Tina Fey) views life as a burden. Throughout the film, 22’s arc is about discovering the joy of the mundane—pizza, autumn leaves, and human connection—which she previously dismissed as useless "jazzing."

) lives for that exact moment. But when he finally gets it, the reality is far more quiet—and more profound—than he expected. Years after its release, soul.movie

Soul was met with near-universal acclaim. Critics praised its ambition, visual artistry, and emotional maturity. On Rotten Tomatoes, it holds a 95% approval rating; Metacritic lists it as “universal acclaim.” The soul known as 22 is the perfect foil to Joe

The "Spark" vs. The "Purpose": Why Pixar’s Soul Still Matters Throughout the film, 22’s arc is about discovering

The 2020 Pixar film explores profound questions about purpose, existence, and the "spark" of life. It follows Joe Gardner , a middle-school band teacher and aspiring jazz pianist, who suffers a near-fatal accident just as he lands his dream gig. 🎷 Core Themes On 'Soul', Ambition, and Regular Old Living - Film Cred

Joe is Pixar’s first African American protagonist, and his character is a testament to specific, cultural storytelling. He isn't a generic hero; he is a specific representation of Black culture, jazz heritage, and the struggle of the "starving artist." His journey is one of ego dissolution—moving from wanting to be someone to realizing the value of simply being .