REVIEW: ‘Strange Planet’ Is A Warm And Comforting Hug for Your Brain

What if there was an extra-terrestrial species living on a planet that’s not earth, but resembled humanity in all its fundamental aspects? What if those we call “aliens” aren’t, in fact, so alien from us in their ways after all? This is the premise cartoonist Nathan W. Pyle poses in his web series Strange Planet, which shows snippets of the lives of non-humans simply called “beings.” The series reached such critical acclaim and attention, that it is debuting in animated form with its first season on Apple TV+.  Strange Planet stars James Adomian, Cedric Yarbrough, Beth Stelling,Danny Pudi,Lori Tan Chinn, Hannah Einbinder, Demi Adejuyigbe, Tunde Adebimpe, D’Arcy Carden, and others. The co-creators are Nathan W. Pyle and Dan Harmon, and the series is based on creator Pyle’s webcomic of the same name.

Going into Strange Planet, one might expect a biting comedy whose jokes poke fun at human absurdities, through the lens of the Beings, and ultimately make our existence out to be one big joke. But it’s the furthest thing from that. Instead, Pyle’s series is rooted in simplicity, sincerity, kindness, and keen observation. Through distilling the Beings’ experiences and words to their fundamental functions, we have a mirror reflection of ourselves. It’s comforting in its familiarity and fascinating in its exploration of the wonderful absurdities of being alive and conscious. As we see the Beings deal with jobs, relationship, family, and friendship situations, we see and hear the core of what the Beings hope to resolve. In doing so, Strange Planet is a comforting slice-of-life series that literally gives a hug to your weary brain.

In an endearingly odd way, Pyle and his fellow writers achieve this comforting effect by using common terms and expressions for things in our daily life in the most basic and literal ways possible. A “Like button” is called a “Validation button”.  A dog’s tail is called a “butt-spine”. A dance is a “limb shake”. “Teeth” are “mouth stones”. Parents are “life bringers”. Instead of “thanks” or “sorry”, the Beings say “gratitude” and “apologies” to convey the core of what our language aims to express instead of their variations.

It’s delightful to hear the beings express our human colloquialisms in this high-key literal way. This simple grasping of these daily aspects of our existence can relax our minds. The lack of our daily complications, instead focusing on being as simple and direct as possible has us find beauty in what might initially appear as bland. Strange Planet lovingly pokes fun at the way we do and say things, and by doing so the show facilitates more appreciation for our own existence.

But it’s even more delightful to watch the Beings interact, as they figure out conflicts and problems, have relationships, and experience life together. As Pyle intended, there is a through-line of kindness. The Beings figure out their issues with kindness and empathy towards each other. In that, Strange Planet strikes the chord of this fundamental and aspirational aspect of humanity. Our world has dealt with and continues to deal with pandemics, wars, ethnic cleansing, genocides, climate crises, and all sort of human-made and human-facilitated disasters. But Strange Planet reminds us of the good we are capable of effecting towards each other. By watching this positive reflection of ourselves in the Beings, we can find inspiration to be our best selves.

The animation, like the stories the series presents, is simple and effective in its simplicity. The animators at ShadowMachine, known for their work on such hit series and films like Bojack Horseman, Tuca & Bertie, and Guillermo Del Toro’s Pinocchio, rose to the task of creating an inviting yet slightly unfamiliar environment in the Strange Planet. The world is vibrant with as many colors we humans can perceive, from the soft blues of the Beings to the rosy sunsets on their planet. There’s a slight vibration on the Beings, giving a curious impression of a humming effect in the frames. Like with its writing, the visuals of the series are warm and inviting for outsiders (i.e. us Earthlings) to watch.

Strange Planet is a simple delight to watch. This subdued slice-of-life show of extra-terrestrial Beings conveys the joys and curiosities of simply being alive and in a functional society. It does so in a way that will relax and ease your weary brain. With great voice work, lovingly crafted animation, and smart and witty writing that pokes loving fun at the weird aspects of being a consciously alive being, whether that be human or Extra-Terrestrial, this is a unique series that is unlike anything else you’ll watch on TV.

Strange Planet premieres August 9 on Apple TV+