Movie · 2013 · Animation, Science Fiction, Adventure, Drama · 1h 38m · NR · Japanese
Curator score: 5.1/10 (27.3K ratings)
Come see the world through Patema's eyes.
Overview
A young girl, from a civilization that resides in deep underground tunnels, finds herself trapped in an inverted world and teams up with a resident to escape and return home.
Ratings
Curator score: 5.1/10
IMDb: 7.3/10
Letterboxd: 3.52/5
Rotten Tomatoes: 73%
Metacritic: 66
TMDB: 7.4/10
Director
Yasuhiro Yoshiura
Production
Purple Cow Studios Japan, STUDIO RIKKA, Asmik Ace, Good Smile Company, KADOKAWA, Directions
A clever, visually inventive sci-fi adventure with a strong central premise and an appealing sense of wonder. It’s best when it leans into its gravity-defying worldbuilding and the tender, unusual connection between its leads; the writing and emotional depth are a little uneven, but the concept carries it far.
Best for
fans of high-concept anime sci-fi
viewers who like inventive worldbuilding and visual gimmicks
people who enjoy earnest teen adventure stories
romantic sci-fi fans looking for an unusual setup
Skip if
you want tightly written character drama
you prefer polished blockbuster animation
you’re impatient with exposition-heavy worldbuilding
you need a deeply original villain or complex political plotting
Overview
Patema Inverted is the kind of anime feature that wins you over by making one impossible idea feel physically real. The upside-down gravity premise is not just a gimmick; it shapes the action, the geography, and the emotional stakes in a way that keeps the film moving even when the script is a little blunt.
Worth noting
The movie’s strongest asset is its sense of wonder. The two worlds are easy to grasp but rich enough to feel lived-in, and the central relationship has a sweet, off-kilter chemistry that gives the story warmth. When the film is in motion, it’s genuinely exhilarating.
Bottom line
It doesn’t fully land every dramatic beat, and some supporting elements feel underwritten, but the ambition is easy to admire. If you like science-fiction that plays like a youthful adventure with a romantic pulse, this is a rewarding watch.
Top Letterboxd reviews
𝚣𝚎𝚞𝚜 (3.5★) · 131 likes
Really interesting concept and lots of great ideas in this. However, I think the execution is what’s holding it back from becoming a more memorable film. The writing didn’t really do it lot of favors and I think it lacked emotional weight (ba-dum ts) but nonetheless still a fun watch. I kept thinking if someone had to make a Hollywood remake of this, it should be Cristopher Nolan and his wacky time/upside down obsessions. Could be a blast!
Sami (3.5★) · 129 likes
A friend recommended this to me with a 69 joke and I couldn’t unthink it for the entire movie.
Aberrant Ghoul (4★) · 84 likes
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Have you ever gazed up, in awe, at the vast expanse of sky above your head, or marveled at the stars on a clear night, out in the countryside? Now, imagine if gravity were somehow inverted for you. Up is down. Down is up. Picture yourself standing on the underside of an overhang, looking down at the sky. Knowing that you'd fall down into the sky if you were… more
StreetsAhead55 (4★) · 84 likes
Australia
Max (2.5★) · 71 likes
I like this movie less every time I watch it also the dad and lagos were gay lovers