Netflix is about to lose its best movie – and it has a 98% rating on Rotten Tomatoes
Choosing the best movie on Netflix is a thankless (and largely futile) task, but if I had to answer it, I’d say I’d be hard-pressed to go past Marcel the Shell with Shoes On. This A24 flick was added to the streaming service back in February, but is already on its way out.
Yes, the series has only been on the platform for a short time, but Marcel the Shell with Shoes On has been confirmed to be saying goodbye to Netflix US on Friday, August 23. So you have less than a week (at the time of writing) to enjoy this amazingly brilliant feel-good comedy mockumentary.
I’ve praised this critically acclaimed crowd-pleaser before, and have even seen it three times in the theater (and watched it three more times at home), which is a testament to how much I love this wonderfully simple film. I’m still not tired of Marcel’s unique worldview and his no-holds-barred adventure.
If you’re looking for something to watch on Netflix, be sure to check out Marcel before this nearly perfect film is removed from the streamer.
What is “Marcel, the Shell with Shoes” about?
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Based on a series of viral web shorts of the same name from the early 2010s, Marcel the Shell with Shoes On is a feature-length documentary parody that follows the eponymous one-inch anthropomorphic sea shell as he overcomes the hurdles of everyday life and presents his unique (and often surprisingly insightful) view of the world.
Our portal into Marcel’s world is Dean (played by director Dean Fleischer Camp), a filmmaker who recently moved into the Clam’s house (which is being used as an Airbnb). Fascinated by this adorable little creature, Dean decides to make a documentary about Marcel, vowing to help him in his quest to be reunited with his long-lost family.
The stakes are kept pretty low, and much of the film’s scant 89 minutes is spent simply hanging out with Marcel. Viewers are treated to his musings on the world as well as the inventions he’s found to solve everyday problems, like turning a hollowed-out tennis ball into a rolling vehicle or using sticky honey to walk up walls. We’re also talking about his grandmother, Nana Connie, who has an obsession with “60 Minutes” and its “fearless” host Leslie Stahl.
Marcel is the positive role model we need now
The main reason to watch this 2021 film lies in the name: Marcel is the undisputed star of the show and the animated clam proves to be one of the most charming and lovable creations in cinema history – and that’s no exaggeration!
Marcel regularly drops lines that make you laugh, such as his explanation of why he doesn’t like the phrase “everything comes out in the wash,” but his thoughts on the world can also be quite inspirational, and the character’s unwavering positivity is something we can all learn from. In our increasingly cynical society, we need more role models like Marcel.
Jenny Slate voices the character and does a phenomenal job. Marcel has a very youthful, naive side, but is capable of thoughtful reflections that are very wise for his age. Marcel is a character that you quickly grow fond of and would like to spend more time with. You can even get your own Marcel figure in the A24 shop.
I also appreciate that the generally light-hearted film doesn’t shy away from going deeper when the moment calls for it. Especially in the second half of the film, Marcel touches on some serious themes like grief and the search for a sense of belonging, and these emotional moments are handled with care and an almost palpable sense of melancholy. Don’t be shocked if you shed a few tears.
You must stream Marcel the Shell with Shoes On before it leaves Netflix
I am sure I am not the only one who is excited about “Marcel the Shell with Shoes On”. The film has an impressive rating of 98% on Rotten tomatoesand if you filter by “top critics,” the score jumps to a perfect 100%. The audience rating is similarly solid, at 90% from more than 1,000 individual reviews.
RT’s critics consensus reads, “Touching, profound and utterly heartwarming, Marcel the Shell with Shoes on is animated entertainment with real heart,” and that perfectly sums up this heartwarming little film.
A very positive report came from John Nugent of Empire MagazineThey called the film “funny, profound, scary, sad and brilliantly constructed – Marcel is a true original that will melt even the most cynical heart.”
The WrapMonica Castillo of The Movie called it “the cinematic equivalent of a hug,” which is a very apt description, and Stephaine Zacharek of TIME Magazine noted that Marcel was proof that “good things really do come in small exoskeletons.”
If you are looking for a very high quality Netflix movie that will make your heart beat faster, your search is over. Marcel the Shell with Shoes On fits these requirements perfectly. Trust me, you must take time to enjoy this unforgettable film before it leaves Netflix on Friday, August 23rd.
If you have met and fallen in love with Marcel, you probably want more movie recommendations, so be sure to check out our list of best A24 movies (Of course Marcel is at the top of the list) and for more top Netflix picks, we have a complete overview of everything new on Netflix in August 2024.
Regard “Marcel, the Shell with Shoes” on Netflix until 23 August
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