Review published 17th December 2025

Watch the official trailer.

A Young Girl’s Vigil Over a Precious Secret

In an unknown and mysterious city, a young girl (voiced by Mako Hyôdô) has a large egg. She carefully tends to it, holding and carrying it around in her dress as if it were a child. Each day, she does what she can to get by, including finding shelter for the night, seeking out fresh water, and, most importantly, doing everything within her power to keep the egg safe.

A Mysterious Bond Filled with Questions

Along her travels, the young girl encounters a man (voiced by Jinpachi Nezu) who appears to be a hunter or soldier. When he discovers that she is carrying a large egg, he becomes curious and desires to be close to her. At first, the girl is wary, but soon the two begin to bond, raising profound questions. The man wonders what is inside the egg and wants to see it, while the girl questions whether this mysterious man is a protector or harbours more sinister intentions toward her and, most importantly, the egg.

Mamoru Oshii’s Mysterious Dark Fantasy Masterpiece

Angel’s Egg is a dark fantasy and sci-fi film, steeped in mystery. The film features hand-drawn animation in a classic anime style. It is a Japanese production directed by Mamoru Oshii, known for Ghost in the Shell (1995), Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence (2004), The Red Spectacles (1987), Halo Legends (2010), and many more.

Breathtaking Animation and a World of Mystery

Let’s jump straight into the praises, starting with the fact that I adore Angel’s Egg on every level. First and foremost, the animation is richly gorgeous. Every frame is a work of art, and pausing the film at any moment reveals something extraordinary, even though the overall tone is dark (it’s best experienced at night with the phone off!).  I love the world presented on-screen; like the egg itself, it is deeply mysterious. Is it a planet, Earth, or something else entirely? As the film unfolds, we are gradually shown more of this enigmatic world, including intricate mechanical elements, unexplainable technology, and looming, unknown threats.

A Surreal, Thought-Provoking Masterpiece

The plot, right from the start, is entirely unlike anything else. There is no film like Angel’s Egg, and it’s clear that future filmmakers were heavily inspired by it. It is a slow, deliberate film with minimal dialogue, requiring attention, focus, and patience from its audience, even with its relatively short runtime. As a viewing experience, it is truly unlike anything else.  Days after my first screening, I kept pondering and questioning nearly every element of the film. Interestingly, when discussing it with others, opinions often differ, and cinephiles may offer entirely different interpretations. Yet some themes are unmistakable, particularly those relating to religion. If you expect a film to lay out its story plainly, you will be shocked. Angel’s Egg is a work in which imagination not only appears on-screen but also engages your own mind, encouraging you to fill in the gaps, including the film’s conclusion and closing credits.

A Haunting and Unforgettable Dark Fantasy

Overall, Angel’s Egg is a stunning dark fantasy sci-fi film, brimming with mystery and delivering an unforgettable experience. It’s a film that invites repeated viewings, encouraging you to explore its plot and elusive conclusion further. Any frame you pause on is breathtaking, thanks to the hand-drawn animation and classic anime style. The story is compelling and emotionally resonant, and even after the credits rolled, it lingered in my mind, making me eager to revisit it.  Do I understand everything within its runtime? Not entirely, and honestly, anyone else who has seen the film will likely take away a different interpretation. In the end, Angel’s Egg is an experience unlike any other. It provokes deep thought, invites discussion, and leaves a lasting impression, a rare and remarkable achievement in cinema today.

Angel’s Egg (1985) is Now Available on 4K UHD thanks to Umbrella!

About the Reviewer

Peter Walkden

Film writer and curator with a deep passion for cinema, genre filmmaking, and physical media. Exploring new releases, cult favourites, and overlooked films, with a strong focus on atmosphere, storytelling, and the theatrical experience.

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