In Disney Pixar’s newest cosmic tale Elio, the studio takes us on a heartwarming and humorous journey across galaxies. But what makes this intergalactic adventure truly unforgettable isn’t just the stardust and strange creatures—it’s the grounded, human lessons hidden beneath the whimsy.

As a fresh grad stuck in the “what now?” phase of life, I didn’t expect a kid named Elio to shake up my outlook on belonging, bravery, and being true to myself. But he did.

Here are 8 surprisingly real life lessons I learned from this otherworldly coming-of-age story:

Heads up: Mild spoilers ahead! If you haven’t seen the film yet, you might want to come back later—or read on if you’re okay with some story details being revealed.

1. Be open to new connections—even the unexpected ones

Elio was convinced that only aliens could understand him. He overlooked the fact that his aunt—and even people who shared his interests—were already open to connecting with him. Like Elio, we sometimes miss out on meaningful relationships because we focus too hard on specific expectations. Sometimes, the best connections are the ones you didn’t see coming.

2. Other people’s perspectives matter

When Lord Grigon accepted that his son Glordon didn’t want to follow in his footsteps, it was a powerful reminder that love means respecting someone’s choices—even if you don’t fully understand them. Being open to other people’s perspectives helps us grow in empathy and see the world with more compassion.

3. Don’t pretend to be someone you’re not

Elio tried to fit in with the aliens by putting on a mask—literally and figuratively. But no amount of pretending could make him feel truly accepted. In real life, trying to fit into spaces that don’t welcome your true self is exhausting. The right people will appreciate your authenticity, quirks and all.

4. Bottling up your feelings doesn’t work for long

Elio often kept his feelings to himself—whether it was pretending to be someone else or avoiding hard conversations with his aunt. But bottling things up only made him feel more alone. The film shows us that vulnerability is a strength, not a weakness. Opening up allows others to support us—and it helps us understand ourselves better too.

5. You are not replaceable

This one hit hard. Elio thought he was too weird or too much and that his aunt could easily care for someone “more normal.” But that couldn’t be further from the truth. His aunt loved him exactly as he was. In life, it’s easy to feel overlooked—but your presence and your uniqueness are irreplaceable.

6. You are wanted, even if it doesn’t feel like it

Elio often believed no one on Earth wanted him around. But in reality, people were reaching out—he just couldn’t see it. We all go through moments of doubt, but that doesn’t mean we’re unloved. Sometimes we need to pause and notice the people who are trying to connect with us.

7. Appreciate what you have now

So many characters in Elio only realized what mattered after it was almost gone. Elio began to value his family when he nearly lost his connection to them. His aunt appreciated his individuality even more when he started trying to be “normal.” Lord Grigon and Glordon also grew in appreciation for each other through their conflict. The lesson? Don’t wait until it’s too late to cherish what you have.

8. Don’t wait to reach out

If Elio did one thing right, it was this: he reached out. Even if it was to aliens, he still tried to connect with others. The same goes for us—we need to take the initiative to build friendships, ask for help, and strengthen bonds. Life becomes so much richer when we’re brave enough to make the first move.

In the end, Elio isn’t just a quirky sci-fi film—it’s a love letter to those of us still figuring things out. It reminds us that it’s okay to feel lost, that we’re never as alone as we think, and that connection—real, honest connection—can be found in the most unexpected places.

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