How Pixar’s Soul turned jazz history and existential philosophy into a visual masterpiece
In short: When Joe Gardner, a middle school music teacher, falls into a manhole, he enters a metaphysical realm that challenges the very meaning of purpose. Pixar’s 2020 film Soul explores the origins of personality and the joy of living, blending authentic jazz culture with an ethereal, non-physical afterlife design.
Conceived by director Pete Docter in 2016, Soul was built on questions of determinism and the origins of human personality. The creative team spent four years developing the film, initially considering Joe as a scientist before settling on a jazz musician to create a more appealing, authentic narrative. This choice led to the film becoming the first Pixar production to feature an African-American lead, a milestone that prompted the studio to establish an internal Cultural Trust to ensure accurate representation of black culture, hair textures, and skin tones.
The film’s visual language is split between the gritty, distorted realism of New York City and the abstract, ethereal Great Before. To animate the musical sequences, the team captured MIDI data from sessions with musician Jon Batiste, allowing them to map the exact keys played on the piano. Conversely, the afterlife was designed to feel universal, drawing inspiration from the architecture of mid-century world’s fairs. The soul counselors, known as Jerrys, were finalized from wire sculptures, with their minimalist line-art aesthetic serving as a nod to Osvaldo Cavandoli’s 1971 series La Linea.
The narrative arc underwent significant changes during production, with filmmakers debating the ending until the final screenings. Early versions featured Joe staying in the Great Before or returning to Earth a year later. Ultimately, the film settled on a message that a 'spark' is not a grand life purpose, but a simple desire to live. Despite its critical acclaim and two Academy Award wins, the film faced a complex release path, moving from a planned 2020 theatrical run to a direct-to-streaming debut on Disney+ due to the COVID-19 pandemic, before finally hitting US theaters in 2024.
While the film grossed $122 million worldwide, its legacy is defined by its emotional depth and technical ambition. By incorporating ambient scores from Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross alongside Batiste’s jazz compositions, the film creates a distinct sonic environment for its metaphysical and terrestrial segments. It remains a sophisticated exploration of how we define ourselves, reminding viewers that life is not merely defined by achievement or attainment.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Soul (2020 film)
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