Boys Go to Jupiter: A Whimsical, Digital-Age Coming-of-Age Story with Heart and Humor

Julian Glander’s debut feature, Boys Go to Jupiter, redefines the coming-of-age movie for 2025 by embracing the aesthetics of mobile games and internet-era animation. Known for his work as a 3D animator for outlets like The New York Times and Adult Swim, Glander crafts a vibrant world made of candy-colored, Play-Doh-like landscapes populated by simply designed but emotionally rich characters.

A Digital Yet Real World

Set in a whimsical small town, the film follows Billy 5000 (Jack Corbett), an average twenty-something with an extraordinary name and an urgent goal: make $5,000 before New Year’s Eve. His plan? Deliver food through an app called Grubster, exploiting a glitch that turns Czech Koruna payments into Swedish Krona, netting him $7 for every $1 earned.

While running quirky errands and interacting with eccentric customers—from hot dog philosophers to magical lemons—Billy enjoys musical interludes, including a standout song about the joy of running errands. But his hustle takes a surreal turn when he encounters the villainous head of a juice company and gets accidentally abducted by aliens, forcing him to question his morals.

Themes and Style

The film blends nostalgia for internet weirdness with a sharp commentary on gig economy pressures and modern youth anxiety. Glander’s humor rivals the joke density of BoJack Horseman, but his storytelling avoids being “random for randomness’ sake,” grounding the absurd visuals in relatable struggles about money, identity, and opportunity.

Why It Stands Out

• Inventive indie animation with a unique visual identity

• Satirical look at hustle culture and app-based work

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• Musical interludes in unexpected moments

• Balance between absurdity and emotional resonance

Verdict

With its playful yet thoughtful take on modern coming-of-age, Boys Go to Jupiter is a refreshing indie animation that showcases Glander’s potential as a filmmaker. It’s a film that captures the colorful chaos of digital life while delivering genuine heart.

Grade: B+
Release: Now playing in select theaters via Cartuna