Warning: this article contains some plot spoilers

It’s through a reflection that we are introduced to The Wild Robot’s unlikely hero, the Rozzum Unit 7134. We see otters exploring shipwrecked packaging on a remote island, then this close-up shot zooms out to reveal that we are watching this scene on the shiny surface of the robot’s eye. Reflecting back what we behold is a major theme from the start.

Whilst this DreamWorks film is set against the backdrop of our concerns about AI and climate change, its story speaks to our innate desire for beauty, belonging and love. Its emotional depth caught me by surprise. The gorgeous painterly animation is also cleverly offset by dark wit, which had our whole family in stitches.

One review pointed out that, ‘DreamWorks was founded 30 years ago … and this well-timed anniversary release is their richest, most moving film since 1998’s reputation-making The Prince of Egypt’ (Robbie Collin, Daily Telegraph). They do share a common gospel theme: that we have a greater purpose than that for which our culture has ‘programmed’ us.

Becoming wild

Robot Roz (voiced by Lupita Nyong’o) begins ‘her’ search for purpose by chasing the island’s disgruntled wildlife, yelling, ‘Do you need assistance?’ and ‘I see your problem!’ It’s surprising to find a robot relatable, but sometimes alongsiding as a parent feels a lot like flailing through the jungle, trying to accomplish tasks whilst bombarded by a nursery of racoons.

Eventually purpose finds Roz, when she happens upon an egg as it hatches. The gosling imprints upon the first face it sees, regardless of the fact that – far from fuzzy and warm – this one is hard and cold in every sense. Nevertheless, this implicit trust leaves a deep impression on Roz.

It is fascinating that Roz’ journey into ‘wildness’ doesn’t take the route of autonomy or anarchy, but of alongsiding. She develops by listening and learning from those around her, and by nurturing the gosling she names Brightbill (Kit Connor).

Alongsiders love with purpose and sometimes this intentionality can be interpreted as task-oriented, but it is deeply personal. 2 Corinthians 3 says, ‘The Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom’ (v 17 NLT). We join the Spirit in his work of setting people free from the control of sin, from the limitations of selfishness, from the confines of a life without Jesus, so they can discover their true nature, which uniquely reflects the God who made them.

Belonging in community

‘Unique’ is an apt word for Brightbill’s new family. Roz raises him with the help of another unlikely alongsider, Fink the fox (Pedro Pascal). Fink is more stereotypically wild, but beneath the surface he longs for family.

This is of course a deeply human longing – to not just fit in, but to be accepted at a heart level. As alongsiders, we know that we are welcomed into the infinitely loving father-son-spirit community, and that this belonging is written all over our relationships. Back at the start of 2 Corinthians 3, Paul says,

‘Your lives are a letter written in our hearts; everyone can read it and recognize our good work among you… This “letter” is written not with pen and ink, but with the Spirit of the living God. It is carved not on tablets of stone, but on human hearts. We are confident of all this because of our great trust in God through Christ. It is not that we think we are qualified to do anything on our own. Our qualification comes from God.’ (v 2-5 NLT)

Roz is committed to training Brightbill to fly, but she finds herself lacking in ability and experience. She receives some wise advice from a commander goose (Bill Nighy), who says, Brightbill ‘has a chance, if where his wings end, his heart can pay the balance. From what I’ve seen, Brightbill’s heart is much bigger on the inside.’

Our imperfect, cobbled-together communities can be ‘read and recognised’ as God’s, as he expands our capacity for kindness, endurance and all the other fruit of the Spirit. We can believe in each other’s potential (including our own) based on Jesus having already paid the balance.

Beholding love

When Brightbill first hatches, we briefly switch to his bird’s eye view: a fuzzy image of metal tentacles and camera-lens eyes come into focus. It’s not a mother-goose kind of gaze, but when Brightbill leans forward to nestle in anyway, Roz is transformed. Rays of light emanate from her chest and her alongsider journey begins.

Imagine what might have happened if the first face seen was God’s. Imagine if we lived our every moment beholding the Father’s loving gaze upon us. How might we, our communities, our culture be transformed? 2 Corinthians 3 ends like this:

‘But whenever someone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away… All of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord – who is the Spirit – makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.’ (v 18 NLT).

This glory is hinted at in the film’s beautiful landscape, voicework and score, in its characters’ search for meaning and purpose, in the ache of a relational let down and the swell of connection. But, whilst the process of alongsiding changes Roz, all three suffer from a very human predicament: their faces are veiled. They hide their struggles from each other, afraid they aren’t worthy, afraid of what might be reflected back.

We don’t need to hide from God. He has turned his face towards us in love – it’s a promise that every time we turn to him, he will be looking back at us in love (2 Chronicles 30:9). Regardless of how successful or defective we feel as alongsiders, we are forever seen, set free, at home in Christ. And, as we continue to look at God looking at us, we are transformed and we increasingly reflect this untamable, ever-expanding love to the world.