We all know of the terrible illness that is Alzheimer. A degenerative brain disorder that causes disorientation, mood swings, neglect, language problems and most commonly memory loss as the brain deteriorates. It is a terrible disease that causes the loss of the human soul. Obviously, Hollywood and other cinematic arturs have explored this devastating disease through almost every lens imaginable. Which in turn has made this subgenre incredibly cliche as every story of Alzheimer’s starts and ends in the same manner. Yet Leah Nelson, manages to make this story feel fresh and new by telling through the lens of animation. Which has made this one of the most profound and devastating explorations of Alzheimer seen in cinema.
When Alzheimer’s disease begins to strip away her mothers vibrant personality, a head strong young woman is forced to return to her oddball family in the small conservative town she recently fled to care for her. She quickly realizes she must accept the cruel and warped reality of the disease, and the imperfect beauty of her family , in order to become the daughter they need.
Narratively speaking Tangles follows the same tragic narrative that is common with all Alzheimer’s cases. A loved one notices something is wrong with a family member. After much persuasion that family member agrees to go to the hospital where they receive the terrible diagnosis. Then over the course of a couple of years we watch that person slowly deteriorate and lose themselves from the terrible disease. That person’s loved ones are pushed to the edges of their sanity as their lives now encompass the needs of that person. Then eventually, they pass away in an unrecognizable state.
Even with a narrative that feels familiar at first glance, Leah Nelson finds a way to make it feel fresh by telling the story through animation. Adapted from Tangles, the film beautifully captures the graphic novel’s distinct art style and reshapes it to fit the medium of animation. The sketch-like black-and-white visuals, mixed with small bursts of color, make for some truly stunning imagery. But what really makes the animation so powerful is how abstract so much of it feels. Every emotion, every fear, and every thought practically bleeds through the screen, making each frame feel deeply personal. That abstract style gives the film an emotional weight that hits hard and turns it into an incredibly moving experience.
With its stunning animation, heartbreaking story, and incredible voice performances across the board, Tangles stands out as a true animated masterpiece. The film offers a raw and honest portrayal of Alzheimer’s, never shying away from the brutal reality of the disease and the emotional toll it leaves behind. It’s relentless, devastating, and deeply tragic, but that’s exactly what makes it so powerful. Sad and difficult in all the right ways, Tangles is absolutely worth keeping on your radar.
My Rating: A
Tangles is coming soon to theaters.
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