The main character, Elio, acquires an eyepatch during the narrative, and this is the reason behind it and its influence on the overall story. In the promotional material for Elio, the character has consistently showcased a distinctive appearance.
The young protagonist is depicted wearing a cape, a futuristic hat crafted from a pasta strainer, and an eyepatch, with the trailers never fully disclosing the significance of these fashion choices.
Prior to the film’s debut, there was considerable online speculation regarding the purpose of Elio’s eyepatch, and the movie has now finally unveiled the reason for its presence.
Elio is Pixar’s newest original film, telling the story of a young boy who becomes fixated on being abducted by aliens. After achieving his goal, Elio is mistakenly recognized as Earth’s leader, a role he embraces to remain with the extraterrestrials.
However, this decision lands him in the midst of an intergalactic struggle. Despite receiving critical acclaim, Elio has underperformed at the Box Office in comparison to films such as Inside Out 2.
Elio Is Sporting An Eyepatch Following An Injury To His Eye Sustained During A Fight
At the beginning of the film, Elio, the main character, has two perfectly normal eyes and is not wearing an eyepatch. Throughout the majority of the first act, he remains eyepatch-free as he tries to orchestrate his own abduction.
To send a message deeper into space, Elio decides to form a ham radio club. Two older children join in to take part in the club’s activities. Unfortunately, they become disheartened upon discovering Elio’s extraterrestrial ambitions, which leads to a confrontation.
During this altercation, a component of Elio’s radio setup strikes him in the eye, resulting in an injury. In the next scene featuring Elio, his aunt is seen furiously escorting him through the military base.
Nevertheless, she has tended to his injured eye by applying an eyepatch over it. From this moment on, Elio sports this eyepatch for most of the film, making it one of his most distinctive design traits.
The Eyepatch Worn By Elio Holds A Profound Significance
In anticipation of Elio’s release, various Pixar enthusiasts speculated that Elio’s eyepatch might indicate he suffers from amblyopia. Amblyopia, commonly known as lazy eye, is a condition where one eye has reduced or abnormal vision, leading it to drift.
This condition typically develops in early childhood and is often treated by placing an eyepatch over the stronger eye, compelling the weaker eye to improve. However, this theory was debunked upon Elio’s release, as it was revealed that his eyepatch is a result of the previously mentioned eye injury.
Elio’s eyepatch certainly carries a thematic significance. It enhances his sense of being an outsider among humans, particularly among his fellow cadets at the military camp he attends. Elio has long felt isolated, and this visible distinction only heightens his self-awareness regarding his lack of friendships.
Moreover, the eyepatch is crucial to the clone narrative that unfolds later in the film, as it becomes vital for Elio’s aunt to uncover the truth about the aliens.
Insights From Elio’s Creative Team Regarding His Eyepatch
As Elio is still a newcomer, the creative team has remained relatively quiet regarding Elio’s eyepatch. However, Jude Brownbill, the animation supervisor for Elio, has shared insights about this decision.
According to Jude Brownbill, “Unfortunately, you missed the moment he received his eye patch [in the footage], but he does end up with one. That’s all we can reveal. It posed a bit of a challenge for us as we wondered if he would have to wear the eye patch throughout the entire film. However, it serves as a practical means of identifying Elio. Ultimately, it turned out to be quite a useful marker for him. Plus, it simplified our work since we had one less eye to animate.”
Elio’s co-director, Madeline Sharafian, has elaborated on the thematic significance of the eyepatch. According to Madeline Sharafian, “It was an integral aspect of his design, as I believe it contributed to his feelings of insecurity and alienation on Earth. However, once he finds himself in space, the eye patch and the [green] cape transform him into a striking figure, reminiscent of a space pirate or a hero. This transformation reinforces his belief that space is truly his rightful place, where everything aligns perfectly for him.”
Elio’s eyepatch holds both thematic and practical significance, a fact that film viewers will surely appreciate. This subtle detail reflects the dedication and thoughtfulness invested in Elio, establishing it as one of Pixar’s standout films in recent years.