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What's After the Movie?
Short family animated film

Loop (2020): Cast, Ratings & Plot

Loop (2020) movie poster

Loop is a 2020 short family animated film directed by Erica Milsom, starring Madison Bandy as Renee (voice), Christiano "Chachi" Delgado and Louis Gonzales. It runs 10 minutes. Its Echo Score is 88/100.

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Loop (2020) movie poster
Released
Runtime
10 min
Director
Erica Milsom
Genres
Family , Animation
Original language
English
Studio
Pixar
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Loop About?

The premise of Loop without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

A non-verbal autistic girl is paired with a talkative boy for a canoeing trip across an urban lake. As they navigate the water, they must learn to understand each other’s perspectives and the way each experiences the world, facing challenges and building a unique connection along the way.

Loop Themes & Keywords

· 13 tags
  • autism
  • canoe
  • surprise after end credits
  • cgi animation
  • canoe trip
  • lake
  • one word title
  • smartphone
  • teenage boy
  • teenage girl
  • teenage autist
  • sparkshorts
+1 more
  • autistic girl
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Cast & crew

Loop Cast & Characters

Madison Bandy leads the cast as Renee (voice), with Christiano "Chachi" Delgado as Marcus (voice) and Louis Gonzales as Camp Counselor (voice). Directed by Erica Milsom; 4 actors are credited in all.

From the director

More from Erica Milsom

More films directed by Erica Milsom: Embrace the Panda: Making Turning Red, Strong Coffee: The Full-Bodied Mind of Pixar’s Brad Bird, So Much Yellow and The Pixar Shorts: A Short History.

Full filmography
Ratings

Loop Reviews & Ratings

Our Echo Score gives it 88/100, strongest in art & craft (92) and weakest in story & flow (78).

88 /100

Loop Echo Score Breakdown

Loop delivers a compelling exploration of neurodiversity through polished animation and heartfelt storytelling. Reviewers commend its authentic portrayal of a non‑verbal autistic character, flawless visual design, and a subtle score that enhances the emotional journey. While a few note limited character backstory and a potentially unsafe narrative setup, the consensus highlights the short’s originality, empathy and broad appeal, making it a memorable addition to Pixar’s catalogue.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 92

    In terms of animation and visual craftsmanship, Loop excels with meticulous character modeling, fluid canoe sequences, and nuanced lighting that mirrors emotional shifts. Reviewers highlight the flawless cinematography and thoughtful production design, noting the subtle perspective changes that convey Renee’s sensory experience. No significant visual shortcomings are reported, underscoring its high artistic merit.

  • Character & Emotion 84

    When assessing character depth and emotional resonance, reviewers praise the authentic portrayal of Renee, voiced by a non‑verbal autistic actor, and the evolving chemistry with Marcus. The nuanced performances convey empathy and patience. Some critiques note limited insight into Renee’s background and a desire for a more defined counselor role, yet overall the character work is deemed strong and affecting.

  • Story & Flow 78

    The narrative centers on two campers forced to cooperate on a canoe trip, creating an original premise that explores communication across neurodiverse spectrums. Reviewers find the pacing measured and the thematic arc engaging. Concerns arise about the boy’s abrupt placement into the situation and occasional ambiguity for viewers unfamiliar with autism, but overall the story is regarded as coherent and impactful.

  • Sensory Experience 90

    The short’s sensory design blends a soothing score with precise sound cues that reflect Renee’s heightened perception. Visuals employ a muted palette punctuated by bright accents during moments of connection. Critics highlight the effective use of perspective blurring to simulate sensory overload, contributing to an immersive experience.

  • Rewatch Factor 83

    Loop’s emotional resonance and distinctive animation encourage repeat viewings, with many reviewers noting its tear‑jerking impact and educational value. Its concise runtime and relatable themes make it suitable for multiple audiences, while the desire for further stories about neurodiverse characters suggests strong lasting appeal and rewatch potential.

Plot

Loop Plot Summary

What happens in Loop from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 1-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Renee, a non-verbal autistic girl, sits in a canoe and plays with a sound app on her phone. Marcus arrives late, and the Camp Counselor pairs him with Renee, much to his annoyance.

When Marcus attempts to show off his paddling skills, Renee is unimpressed and starts rocking the boat. Marcus asks her what she wants, and she has him paddle toward land so she can touch the reeds.

Full summary

The whole story of Loop, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Videos

Loop Videos

The featurette of Loop.

Introducing Pixar SparkShorts
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Loop?

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

Who is paired with Renee at the summer camp?

Details

Loop Also Known As

16 alternative titles, including “SparkShorts: Loop” and “Pixar - Renée”.

Also known as
  • SparkShorts: Loop
  • Pixar - Renée
  • Renée
  • Fitas
  • Una vuelta
  • Λούπα
  • 循环
  • 루프
  • ループ
  • Głębia
  • Žbluňk
  • Lazos
+4 more
  • 循環不息
  • לולאה
  • Uma Volta
  • حلقة

Seen Loop?

FAQ

Loop FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date

Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of Loop, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Loop?

Loop runs 10 minutes.

When was Loop released?

Loop was released on January 10, 2020.

Who directed Loop?

Loop was directed by Erica Milsom.

More films by Erica Milsom

Who is in the cast of Loop?

Loop stars Madison Bandy as Renee (voice), Christiano "Chachi" Delgado as Marcus (voice) and Louis Gonzales as Camp Counselor (voice), among 4 credited actors.

Does Loop have a post-credit scene?

No. Loop has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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