Cryptozoo (2021): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot
Cryptozoo is a 2021 animated film directed by Dash Shaw, starring Louisa Krause as Amber, Lake Bell and Michael Cera. It runs 1 hour 35 minutes and earned $37,883 worldwide. Critics gave it 71% on Rotten Tomatoes and 74 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.4/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 35m (95 min)
- Director
- Dash Shaw
- Genre
- Animation
- Original language
-
English
- Studio
- Magnolia Pictures
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Cryptozoo About?
The premise of Cryptozoo without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
This whimsical animated film follows Amber and Matt as they encounter cryptids—rare and mysterious creatures—and become involved with Lauren, a zookeeper dedicated to protecting them. Through their connection with these elusive beings, the story explores themes of wonder, the ethics of exploitation, and the importance of freedom. It raises thought-provoking questions about the balance between keeping secrets and sharing the extraordinary with the world.
Cryptozoo Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- unicorn
- zoo
- helicopter
- blood
- death
- imaginary animal
- tank
- serpent
- pipes of pan
- kraken
- gorgon
- cryptid
+38 more Show fewer
- handcuffs
- blindfold
- turned to stone
- fence
- nude woman
- nude man
- faun
- cat
- female nudity
- female protagonist
- gun
- one word title
- running naked
- shot to death
- shower
- snake bite
- strip club
- nudity
- female frontal nudity
- female full frontal nudity
- tarasque
- dragon
- elephant
- dog
- laughter
- turtle
- hippogriff
- lion
- centaur
- ram
- flying horse
- bull
- griffin
- horse
- octopus
- snake
- baku the creature
- minotaur
Cryptozoo Cast & Characters
Louisa Krause leads the cast as Amber, with Lake Bell as Lauren Gray and Michael Cera as Matthew. Directed by Dash Shaw; 9 actors are credited in all.
-
Director Dash Shaw
-
Louisa Krause as Amber -
Lake Bell as Lauren Gray -
Michael Cera as Matthew -
Peter Stormare as Gustav
Also Starring in Cryptozoo
· 5 more- Thomas Jay Ryan Nicholas
- Grace Zabriskie Joan
- Jason Schwartzman
- Emily Davis Pliny, Waitress
- Aggeliki Papoulia
Cryptozoo Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Cryptozoo 71% on Rotten Tomatoes and 74 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.4/10. Our Echo Score gives it 68/100, strongest in sensory experience (82) and weakest in rewatch factor (55).
Cryptozoo Echo Score Breakdown
Cryptozoo delivers a visually daring experience that overshadows an uneven narrative structure. The film’s animation and eclectic art direction generate vivid, memorable moments, while its moral themes resonate despite occasional tonal clutter. Voice performances and character development feel inconsistent, leaving some viewers disconnected from the story’s core. Consequently, the movie stands as an ambitious artistic statement with limited rewatch appeal, reflecting a mixed but generally positive reception.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 70
Artistic execution is the film’s strongest asset, featuring hand‑drawn animation that blends psychedelic palettes with meticulous line work. Critics note the eclectic visual styles and ambitious set pieces, creating a hypnotic aesthetic that sustains viewer wonder. However, some reviewers describe portions as awkward or childlike, suggesting inconsistency in craftsmanship. Overall, the art direction remains compelling despite occasional lapses.
- Character & Emotion 58
When evaluating character and emotional layers, the film presents a mixed picture. Voice talent receives praise for novelty yet is often described as stiff, limiting emotional resonance. Supporting characters lack depth, causing the moral narrative to feel didactic rather than immersive. Consequently, character work contributes modestly to the overall impact, falling short of the film’s artistic ambitions.
- Story & Flow 62
The narrative structure oscillates between ambitious world‑building and fragmented pacing. Reviewers commend the film’s daring premise and moral depth, but many note an overabundance of ideas that dilute focus. The plot’s central dilemma engages intermittently, while pacing drifts, leaving portions feeling sleepy or directionless. Overall, the story presents intriguing concepts hindered by uneven execution.
- Sensory Experience 82
Sensory elements stand out as a highlight, with a pulsating electronic score that reinforces the film’s hallucinatory atmosphere. Hand‑drawn visuals and eclectic sound design create an immersive experience praised by many critics. While some viewers find the intensity overwhelming or gratuitously violent, the overall sensory impact remains striking and memorable. This facet considerably elevates the viewing experience.
- Rewatch Factor 55
Rewatch potential is modest, as the film’s visual novelty invites a second look, yet narrative inconsistencies limit lasting appeal. Some audience members appreciate the layered moral themes and artistic ambition on repeat viewings, while others cite a lack of engaging plot progression that reduces repeat enjoyment. Consequently, the movie offers occasional rediscovery value but does not strongly encourage frequent rewatching.
-
IMDb 6.4 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 71% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 56%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 74 Metascore
User score 5.1
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 60% User score
See on TMDB -
Letterboxd 3.4 /5
29 ratings
See on Letterboxd -
Movie Insider 3.0 /5
See on Movie Insider
Cryptozoo Plot Summary
What happens in Cryptozoo from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
In the vibrant yet tumultuous atmosphere of 1960s San Francisco, a young couple, Matthew and Amber, find themselves embroiled in an unexpected and harrowing adventure. After a romantic encounter in the forest, their curious nature leads them to an enclosure that conceals a fantastical creature—a unicorn. However, their curiosity turns to horror when the unicorn, alarmed by their presence, fatally injures Matthew. In a panic, Amber brutally kills the unicorn with a rock, and as dawn breaks, she discovers that they are trapped in a mystical zoo for cryptids known as Cryptozoo.
Full summary
The whole story of Cryptozoo, scene by scene
Cryptozoo Box Office
Cryptozoo grossed $37,883 worldwide. $33,765 came from the US and Canada and $4,118 (11%) from the rest of the world.
Worldwide gross
$37.9K
- US & Canada
- $33.8K
- International
- $4.1K
Cryptozoo Trailers & Videos
2 videos: 2 trailers.
- Trailer CRYPTOZOO | Official Trailer | October 22 on MUBI
How Well Do You Know Cryptozoo?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What tragic event occurs after Matthew and Amber discover the unicorn?
Cryptozoo Also Known As
7 alternative titles, including “怪奇獸樂園” and “크립토주”.
- Also known as
-
- 怪奇獸樂園
- 크립토주
- Криптополис
- Kryptozoo
- 变种动物园
- קריפטוזו
- Криптозоопарк
Seen Cryptozoo?
Movies Like Cryptozoo
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Zoo, Night of the Zoopocalypse and Zoofobia.
Cryptozoo FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of Cryptozoo, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Cryptozoo?
Cryptozoo runs 1 hour 35 minutes (95 minutes).
When was Cryptozoo released?
Cryptozoo was released on August 20, 2021.
Who directed Cryptozoo?
Cryptozoo was directed by Dash Shaw.
More films by Dash Shaw Who is in the cast of Cryptozoo?
Cryptozoo stars Louisa Krause as Amber, Lake Bell as Lauren Gray and Michael Cera as Matthew, among 9 credited actors.
How much did Cryptozoo make at the box office?
Cryptozoo grossed $37,883 worldwide ($33,765 domestic, $4,118 international).
How is Cryptozoo rated?
Cryptozoo has 6.4/10 on IMDb, 71% on Rotten Tomatoes, 74 on Metacritic and 60% on TMDB.
Does Cryptozoo have a post-credit scene?
No. Cryptozoo has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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