The Sky Crawlers

Youngsters called Kildren, who are destined to live eternally in their adolescence. The Kildren are conscious that every day could be the last, because they fight a war as entertainment, organized and operated by adults. But as they embrace the reality they are faced with, they live their day-to-day lives to the full.

Critics praise the striking dogfight animation, atmosphere and philosophical mood, while finding the deliberately slow, minimally explained story challenging.

• the Kildren are eternally young fighter pilots whose stalled adolescence drives the story
• dogfights above the clouds are sustained and atmospheric, with sound design foregrounded
• pilots battle an enemy without a clear purpose, and the conflict is framed as perpetual

• Princess Mononokeshared meditative aerial combat atmosphere and philosophical science fiction tone
• Ghost in the Shellshared cerebral anime sci-fi mood, existential dread and dystopian melancholy
• Solarisshared contemplative pacing and introspective sci-fi atmosphere
• Porco Rossoshared dogfight aviation setting with understated melancholic tone

Director

Mamoru Oshii

Release Date

2008-08-02

Runtime

121 min

Rating

6.7 / 10 (184)

What is The Sky Crawlers about?

Eternally young fighter pilots confront their own innocence as they battle in meditative dogfights above the clouds.

What is The Sky Crawlers like to watch?

Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Sky Crawlers as slow, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as layered.

Is The Sky Crawlers violent?

Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in The Sky Crawlers as moderate.

What did critics think of The Sky Crawlers?

Critics praise the striking dogfight animation, atmosphere and philosophical mood, while finding the deliberately slow, minimally explained story challenging.

Which films are like The Sky Crawlers?

Films with a similar feel include Princess Mononoke, Ghost in the Shell, Solaris, and Porco Rosso.

How long is The Sky Crawlers?

The Sky Crawlers runs 121 minutes.

Where can I watch The Sky Crawlers?

In United States, The Sky Crawlers streams on YouTube Free.