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Animated film

Cryptozoo (2021): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

Cryptozoo (2021) movie poster

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.

IMDb rating
6.4/10
Rotten Tomatoes
71%
worldwide gross
$37.9K
Echo Score
68
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Cryptozoo (2021) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 35m (95 min)
Director
Dash Shaw
Genre
Animation
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

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
  • 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
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Cast & crew

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.

Also Starring in Cryptozoo

· 5 more
Ratings

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).

68 /100

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.

Plot

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

Read the full summary
Box office

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.

2021 box office

Worldwide gross

$37.9K

US & Canada
$33.8K
International
$4.1K
US & Canada 89% Rest of the world 11%
Videos

Cryptozoo Trailers & Videos

2 videos: 2 trailers.

Cryptozoo - Official Trailer
  • Trailer CRYPTOZOO | Official Trailer | October 22 on MUBI
Quiz

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

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What tragic event occurs after Matthew and Amber discover the unicorn?

Details

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?

FAQ

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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