Among the hundreds of well known titles available on Netflix, there are also a good amount of hidden gems. April and the Extraordinary World was a film I had never heard of until about two days ago when it popped up in my suggested section. I was in the mood to watch a light-hearted movie and I thought this would be perfect, a movie about a girl and her cat.

I was wrong, this movie surprised me throughout the duration. Where the animation lacked, the plot made up for it getting heavier and heavier as it progressed. I was looking for a nice kid movie and got something completely better.

The film takes place in France in an alternate universe where electricity was never invented, leaving the world to continue to use coal energy. A little girl named April and her family find themselves caught in a big conspiracy when they make a life prolonging serum and challenge the government’s’ scientific oppression agenda.

Ten years later, April is on her own and gets re-tangled in said conspiracy. She gets reunited with those from her past as well as makes new connections after pushing everyone besides her cat out for so long.

April is reserved which contrasts greatly with the rest of the characters. Her and her cat have the classic talking cat judging and helping the human dynamic which adds the needed lightness to the movie.

There isn’t much else I can say without spoiling the plot but let’s just leave it at, this: April uncovers secrets of her world along with her family and cat companion. I highly recommend this movie for anyone who likes conspiracies and happy endings.