---
title: "Marcel the Shell with Shoes On"
year: 2022
kind: "film"
canonical: "https://film.one/film/marcel-the-shell-with-shoes-on"
fi1m_id: "marcel-the-shell-with-shoes-on"
imdb_id: "tt15339456"
tmdb_id: 869626
wikidata_id: "Q109447163"
fi1m_score: 77
critics_score: 78
critics_reviews: 10
published: "2026-09-10"
updated: "2026-09-18T08:37:51.548280+00:00"
region: "US"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Marcel the Shell with Shoes On (2022)

Directed by Dean Fleischer Camp · 1h 30m · MPA PG · Animation, Comedy, Drama, Family, Fantasy

## Identity

Marcel the Shell with Shoes On

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/film/marcel-the-shell-with-shoes-on
- **Type:** Film
- **Fi1m ID:** marcel-the-shell-with-shoes-on
- **IMDb ID:** tt15339456
- **TMDB ID:** 869626
- **Wikidata ID:** Q109447163
- **Same entity:** https://www.imdb.com/title/tt15339456/, https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/869626, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q109447163

**Fi1m score: 77** · Critics 78 from 10 reviews

*In a sentence:* Ninety minutes with a talking shell, and we came out wanting to telephone our grandmother

> Jenny Slate and Dean Fleischer Camp stretch their one-inch shell to feature length, and he mostly survives it. Funny, gentle and thinner than it should be when it turns to fame, the film is carried home by Isabella Rossellini as the grandmother.

## Synopsis

Marcel (voiced by Jenny Slate) is a shell about an inch high, with one eye, a pair of pink shoes and a great deal to say. He lives in a rented house with his grandmother Connie (Isabella Rossellini); the rest of their community of shells vanished the night the couple who lived there, Mark (Thomas Mann) and Larissa (Rosa Salazar), had a row and one of them packed in a hurry. Dean (Dean Fleischer Camp), a documentary maker recovering from a break-up of his own, moves in, finds Marcel and starts filming him. When Dean puts the footage online, Marcel becomes famous. A stop-motion and live-action mockumentary, 90 minutes, certificate PG.

## Review

Marcel (voiced by Jenny Slate) is a shell about an inch high, with one eye, a pair of pink shoes and a great deal to say. He lives in a rented house with his grandmother Connie (Isabella Rossellini), the two of them all that remains of a community of shells that vanished the night the couple who lived there had a row and one of them packed in a hurry. Into the house comes Dean (Dean Fleischer Camp), a documentary maker with a broken relationship of his own, who finds Marcel, points a camera at him and starts asking questions. Marcel began a dozen years ago in a series of brief online films by Slate and Camp, and this is their attempt to make him last 90 minutes. He does, mostly. The film is funnier than a talking shell has any right to be, it sags when it turns to the subject of fame, and Rossellini carries the second half. We recommend it, with the caveat that you should know your own tolerance for whimsy before you start.

The comedy is a comedy of scale, and Liz Toonkel’s production design is where most of the laughs live. Marcel gets about the house inside a tennis ball. He climbs the walls with honey on his shoes. He harvests fruit by tying a rope to a tree in the garden and setting a stand mixer going in the kitchen. None of it is explained and all of it is shown with a straight face, which is the right decision. Slate’s voice does the rest: small, hoarse, precise, and never pitched for cuteness. When Marcel says something wise he sounds faintly embarrassed about it.

Bianca Cline and Eric Adkins shoot it like a documentary made by one man in a house he does not own. The camera is handheld, the light comes through the windows, the focus hunts and sometimes misses, and Marcel sits in the frame looking like something you might find on a windowsill and not think about twice. Nick Paley and Camp cut around Dean’s off-camera questions, and the film’s best running joke is Marcel’s patience with his interviewer wearing thin. Richard Vreeland’s score is soft piano and not much else, and it stays out of the way, which is more than most scores for family films manage.

Dean puts his footage online and Marcel becomes famous, and this is the weakest stretch. People arrive outside the house to film themselves, and the film has a good line about the difference between an audience and a community. It also has about fifteen minutes of Marcel and Dean discussing this, and the discussion is slighter than the film thinks it is. Slate, Camp and Paley wrote the screenplay, and you can feel them being more interested in this material than we were. The film is not long, and this is still the part where we checked the time.

Then Rossellini takes over. Connie is old, a little vague, and given to gardening with a crew of insects she has trained to help, and Rossellini plays her with an accent, a slowness and an unbothered good humour that make every scene she is in the best scene in the film. There is a moment in the garden, Connie talking about what she has lost while she gets on with the work in front of her, and we were moved more than we had expected a film about a shell to manage. It was the ordinariness that did it. She is not asking for our sympathy, and Rossellini never raises her voice.

Some critics have found it twee, and we understand the complaint without sharing it. The film is sweet, but it admits to hurt early, and it does not pretend the missing shells will turn up on their own. What it does do, now and then, is hand out its wisdom in small portable pieces, like fortunes from a cracker, and once or twice we wished Marcel would just be funny. The second half takes a turn we will not describe. The film earns the sentiment it reaches for.

Set against the stop-motion tradition it belongs to, it has more in common with Aardman’s *Creature Comforts*, small creatures being interviewed about ordinary life, than with anything from the big studios, and it is better for that. Watch it at home on a quiet evening, with the phone in another room. Marcel would approve, and by the end so did we.

*Fi1m score 77, published 10 September 2026.*

## What the critics say

Most critics warm to Marcel the Shell with Shoes On, and the spread is narrow: seven positive, three mixed, none hostile. The praise clusters around the same few things. Jenny Slate’s vocal performance is repeatedly singled out for carrying the character’s odd way of seeing the world, and Isabella Rossellini’s grandmother Connie is named by several as the film’s emotional centre. The mix of stop-motion with live-action footage draws admiration for its handcrafted feel, and most reviews note that the treatment of grief, loneliness and dementia lands harder than a talking shell has any right to.

The reservations cluster too. The Telegraph finds it verging on American kitsch and sentimentality, Screen Daily thinks the conceit is thin at feature length and undeniably twee, and The New York Times judges the expansion from the shorts only partly successful. Slant, otherwise admiring, calls the ending too neat and abrupt. Nobody dislikes it; the argument is about how much sweetness one sitting can bear.

## Straight answers

**Is Marcel the Shell with Shoes On worth watching?**

*Marcel the Shell with Shoes On* is worth watching for anyone with a tolerance for whimsy, and we scored it 77. It is funnier than a talking shell has any right to be, and Isabella Rossellini's grandmother makes the second half the best of it. It sags for about fifteen minutes when Marcel becomes famous online, and that stretch is slighter than the film believes.

**How long is Marcel the Shell with Shoes On, and what is it rated?**

*Marcel the Shell with Shoes On* runs 1h 30m and is rated PG by the MPA in the US. It is an animation and comedy film.

**Where can I watch Marcel the Shell with Shoes On in the US?**

*Marcel the Shell with Shoes On* is available to rent from Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV from $3.99. Availability is checked daily; the links above go straight to each service.

**How does Marcel the Shell with Shoes On compare to My Neighbor Totoro?**

*Marcel the Shell with Shoes On* and [*My Neighbor Totoro*](https://film.one/film/my-neighbor-totoro) share the same trust that gentleness is enough, but Miyazaki's film is the better of the two and the more patient. *Totoro* stays with its two small girls and never reaches for a message; *Marcel* is a handheld mockumentary that is sharper for laughs but wobbles when it turns to fame. Choose *Totoro* for young children, *Marcel* for a quiet adult evening.

**What should I watch after Marcel the Shell with Shoes On?**

After *Marcel the Shell with Shoes On*, try [*My Neighbour Totoro*](https://film.one/film/my-neighbor-totoro) (1988, Fi1m 89): Two small girls, one large creature, and the same trust that gentleness is enough. Then [*Mary and Max*](https://film.one/film/mary-and-max) (2009, Fi1m 80): Australian stop-motion about loneliness by post; sadder than Marcel and just as funny; and [*Paddington 2*](https://film.one/film/paddington-2) (2017, Fi1m 91): Another polite outsider in a borrowed house, with better jokes than it needed.

### Reviews we read (20)

- **The AV Club**, Courtney Howard (A): The critic calls it a life-affirming, super charming and sweet-natured journey that layers tenderness with comedy without being cloying or twee. It praises the vulnerable examination of personal themes through the tiny protagonist's story and the effective blend of humor and pathos. [Read](https://www.avclub.com/marcel-shell-shoes-on-review-jenny-slate-dean-fleischer-1849079916)
- **Slant Magazine**, Derek Smith (3.5/4): The critic notes that the film convincingly proves bigger sometimes is better by expanding the shorts' world with meta elements about fame and personal growth while retaining intimacy. It singles out the effective addition of Connie and emotional resonance but complains that the ending is too neat and abrupt. [Read](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/marcel-the-shell-with-shoes-on-review/)
- **Vulture** (85/100, inferred): The critic finds the film gentle and sweet without being twee or precious, using its mockumentary style and disarming simplicity to deliver an unexpectedly moving story about belonging, an individual’s place in the world, and relationships. It singles out the effervescence and unassuming delicacy that eases viewers into emotional depth. [Read](https://www.vulture.com/article/movie-review-a24s-marcel-the-shell-with-shoes-on.html)
- **Little White Lies**, Michael Leader (3/4/4): The critic finds the feature debut effortlessly charming and an offbeat addition to the year's animation slate. They single out Jenny Slate's vocal performance as capturing the character's inimitable worldview perfectly. [Read](https://lwlies.com/reviews/marcel-the-shell-with-shoes-on)
- **Time Out**, Phil de Semlyen (4/5): The critic calls the film sweet but never saccharine and says an hour and a half in Marcel’s company leaves viewers transformed. They single out its visual inventiveness, warmth, peppery wit and the way it handles themes of dementia, loneliness and heartbreak. [Read](https://www.timeout.com/movies/marcel-the-shell-with-shoes-on-2023)
- **Screen Daily** (60/100, inferred): The critic finds the feature entertaining company but notes the thinness of the conceit at feature length and that it is undeniably twee and fairly protracted. They single out Isabella Rossellini’s addition as the secret weapon and Slate’s endearing vocal performance. [Read](https://www.screendaily.com/reviews/marcel-the-shell-with-shoes-on-telluride-review/5162909.article)
- **The Telegraph**, Robbie Collin (3/5): The live-action/stop-motion hybrid has charm but verges on American kitsch and muesli-and-sunbeams sentimentality. Much of the film is taken up with the shell chatting open-endedly about everyday struggles. [Read](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/0/marcel-shoes-child-friendly-tale-verges-american-kitsch/)
- **Empire**, John Nugent: The critic finds the film a minor miracle that elicits unexpected emotion from a tiny shell character. They single out the seamless blend of stop-motion animation with live-action footage and its thoughtful handling of grief and community. [Read](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/marcel-the-shell-with-shoes-on/)
- **Financial Times**, Leslie Felperin (★★★★☆): The wistful and funny Oscar-nominated film feels strange yet comfortingly familiar, with a beautiful final act that is tender but never twee. Adept comic timing and playful use of scale stand out. [Read](https://www.ft.com/content/8424b0d7-c463-47c0-83d2-00719e9a46da)
- **Los Angeles Times**, Justin Chang: Even at feature length the film proves see-worthy, with shrewd choices that preserve the comic wonderment and handcrafted feel while adding emotional depth through the grandmother character. [Read](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2022-06-23/marcel-the-shell-review-with-shoes-on-a24)
- **The Guardian**, Peter Bradshaw: The quirky stop-motion film about a tiny talking shell should be irritating but is instead funny, beguiling and heartwarming. The convincing odd-couple rapport between the director character and Marcel creates real sweetness and charm. [Read](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2023/feb/15/marcel-the-shell-with-shoes-on-review-dean-fleischer-camp-jenny-slate)
- **The i Paper**, Christina Newland: The critic calls the film wonderfully oddball and surprisingly moving, praising its genuine charm and belly-laugh funny moments despite the twee premise. They single out its earnest, unpredictable stop-motion details and subtle exploration of loss and family. [Read](https://inews.co.uk/culture/film/marcel-the-shell-with-shoes-on-review-wonderfully-oddball-and-surprisingly-moving-2150177)
- **The New Yorker**, Richard Brody: The film is a dazzlingly clever blend of live action and stop-motion animation. It balances cloying sentimentality with imaginative vigor and a wry perspective. [Read](https://www.newyorker.com/goings-on-about-town/movies/marcel-the-shell-with-shoes-on)
- **The New York Times**, Manohla Dargis: The feature-length expansion from the popular shorts is only partly successful. The transition from YouTube fame dilutes some of the original charm and whimsy. [Read](https://www.nytimes.com/2022/06/23/movies/marcel-the-shell-with-shoes-on-review.html)
- **The Times**, Kevin Maher (★★★★☆): The deeply eccentric indie animation instantly ranks Marcel alongside great animated child protagonists like Bambi. It is deftly done and unexpectedly moving, balancing Morph-like energy with Zen ruminations. [Read](https://www.thetimes.com/culture/film/article/marcel-the-shell-with-shoes-on-review-morph-meets-a-zen-philosophy-lecture-957zp9bgb)
- **Collider**, Ross Bonaime (A-): The critic calls it one of the most precious, inventive, and lovely films of the year, praising its massive heart and ability to expand the shorts into a story about loss, celebrity, and new beginnings through Marcel's eyes. They single out the touching relationship between Marcel and his grandmother Connie for its care and compassion. [Read](https://collider.com/marcel-the-shell-with-shoes-on-review-jenny-slate/)
- **Polygon**, katie-rife (85/100, inferred): The critic finds the mockumentary wistful, gentle, and life-affirming, praising how it captures the experience of being small with humor and a unique perspective. They single out Marcel's casually profound observations and the film's soothing quality reminiscent of My Neighbor Totoro. [Read](https://www.polygon.com/23180701/marcel-the-shell-with-shoes-on-review-my-neighbor-totoro/)
- **The Skinny**, Rory Doherty (3/5): The critic finds the film charming and emotional, praising its animation and well-rounded characterization of Marcel, while noting it avoids being too saccharine. [Read](https://www.theskinny.co.uk/film/new-releases/marcel-the-shell-with-shoes-on)
- **Paste**, Tara Bennett (9.0): The critic describes it as a delicate, whimsical, and poignant escape that makes viewers feel stronger, highlighting its emotional payoffs and the way it breathes life into inanimate objects. They single out the quiet, resonant performance by Isabella Rossellini as Connie for elevating the film to another level of poignancy. [Read](https://www.pastemagazine.com/movies/jenny-slate/marcel-the-shell-with-shoes-on-review)
- **The Wrap**: The critic finds the film a gentle, charming and ultimately comforting experience that feels like a cinematic hug. They single out the way the filmmakers use stop-motion and a childlike sense of play to explore themes of grief and loneliness. [Read](https://www.thewrap.com/marcel-the-shell-with-shoes-on-review-jenny-slate/)

## Details

- **Director:** Dean Fleischer Camp
- **Director:** Dean Fleischer Camp
- **Screenplay:** Dean Fleischer Camp, Jenny Slate, Nick Paley
- **Story:** Elisabeth Holm, Jenny Slate, Nick Paley, Dean Fleischer Camp
- **Cinematography:** Bianca Cline, Eric Adkins
- **Editor:** Dean Fleischer Camp, Nick Paley
- **Music:** Disasterpeace
- **Production design:** Liz Toonkel
- **Costume design:** Jamie Catino
- **Producer:** Elisabeth Holm, Andrew Goldman, Caroline Kaplan
- **Cast:** Jenny Slate as Marcel (voice); Dean Fleischer Camp as Dean; Isabella Rossellini as Connie (voice); Joe Gabler as Haysack Rep; Shari Finkelstein as 60 Minutes Producer; Sam Painter as 60 Minutes Camera Operator; Blake Hottle as 60 Minutes Camera Operator; Scott Osterman as 60 Minutes Sound Mixer
- **Runtime:** 1h 30m
- **Certificate (MPA):** PG
- **Release (the US):** 29 July 2022
- **Genres:** Animation, Comedy, Drama, Family, Fantasy
- **Budget:** $6 million
- **Box office:** $7 million
- **Trailer:** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k98Afd7Nf3Y

## Where to watch in the US

- Amazon Prime Video: rent $3.99, sd
- Apple TV: rent $4.99, hd
- Amazon Prime Video: buy $19.99, uhd
- Apple TV: buy $19.99, hd

*Checked 2026-09-10.*

Also available in: AR, AT, AU, BE, BG, BR, CA, CH, CL, CO, CZ, DE, DK, EE, ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, HK, HU, IE, IL, IN, IT, JP, LT, MX, MY, NL, NO, NZ, PA, PH, PL, PT, RO, RS, SE, SG, TH, TR, UA, US, VN, ZA. Add `?region=XX` to this URL for another country.

## Awards

- Academy Awards 2023: Best Animated Feature (nominated)
- Golden Globes 2023: Best Animated Feature Film (nominated)
- Critics' Choice Awards 2022: Best Animated Feature (nominated)

## If you liked this

- *My Neighbour Totoro* (1988), Fi1m 89: Two small girls, one large creature, and the same trust that gentleness is enough. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/my-neighbor-totoro.md)
- *Mary and Max* (2009), Fi1m 80: Australian stop-motion about loneliness by post; sadder than Marcel and just as funny. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/mary-and-max.md)
- *Paddington 2* (2017), Fi1m 91: Another polite outsider in a borrowed house, with better jokes than it needed. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/paddington-2.md)
- *A Town Called Panic* (2009): Belgian plastic toys shouting at each other; the anarchic cousin of Marcel’s calm.
- *The Secret World of Arrietty* (2010): The Borrowers by way of Studio Ghibli, for anyone who liked the tennis ball.

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/film/marcel-the-shell-with-shoes-on