Becoming Animal (2018)
A mesmerizing audiovisual essay that dissolves the boundary between human and animal perception.
Becoming Animal - Movie Information
- Original Title: Becoming Animal
- Release Year: 2018
- Directed by: Peter Mettler, Emma Davie
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Documentary
- Runtime: 1h 18m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Release Date (Theatrical): November 18, 2018 (United Kingdom)
- Alternative Titles: Stajac sie zwierzeciem (PL)
- Production Companies: Maximage, Scottish Documentary Institute, Britdoc Foundation, Doc Society
- Production Countries: United Kingdom, Canada, Switzerland
Becoming Animal - Plot
A palpably rendered audiovisual essay draws together the distinct sensibilities of filmmakers Peter Mettler (The End of Time) and Emma Davie (I am Breathing) and philosopher David Abram (The Spell of the Sensuous) to forge a path into the places where humans and animals meet.
Where to Watch Becoming Animal
Looking for where to watch Becoming Animal?
Compare all viewing options available in your region on JustWatch ↗
Becoming Animal - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Peter Mettler
- Emma Davie
Becoming Animal - FAQs
What is Becoming Animal about?
Becoming Animal is a lyrical, immersive documentary that explores the porous boundary between human and animal experience. Filmmakers Peter Mettler and Emma Davie collaborate with philosopher David Abram to journey into wild landscapes, questioning how we perceive and inhabit the natural world through sight, sound, and sensation.
Is Becoming Animal a traditional nature documentary?
Not quite. Becoming Animal is more of a philosophical audiovisual essay than a conventional nature documentary. Rather than narrating wildlife behavior, it uses immersive cinematography and sound design to dissolve the boundary between observer and environment, inviting viewers to feel the world as other creatures might.
Where can you stream Becoming Animal?
You can stream Becoming Animal on OVID and DocAlliance Films, both available as flat-rate subscription services. These platforms specialize in independent and documentary cinema, making them ideal homes for this kind of thoughtful, boundary-pushing film.
Who is David Abram and why does he appear?
David Abram is an American philosopher and ecologist best known for his influential book The Spell of the Sensuous. In Becoming Animal, he serves as a philosophical guide, helping shape the film's central inquiry into how human perception relates to — and is shaped by — the living, breathing natural world.
Who directed Becoming Animal?
Becoming Animal was co-directed by Peter Mettler and Emma Davie. Mettler is a Canadian filmmaker known for The End of Time, while Davie is a Scottish director celebrated for I Am Breathing. Together, they bring complementary sensibilities to this meditative exploration of nature and perception.
Is Becoming Animal worth watching for nature lovers?
Absolutely — though it rewards patience. Becoming Animal is less about wildlife facts and more about feeling deeply connected to the natural world. If you enjoy meditative, visually rich films that challenge how you think about your place in nature, this one is a genuinely rewarding experience.
What films are similar to Becoming Animal?
If Becoming Animal resonates with you, explore Godfrey Reggio's Naqoyqatsi and Powaqqatsi for similarly immersive visual essays, or Laurie Anderson's Heart of a Dog for another philosophical meditation on life and perception. All share that rare quality of making you see the world with fresh, wondering eyes.
Where was Becoming Animal filmed?
Becoming Animal was filmed across a variety of wild and natural landscapes, with the production drawing on locations that evoke the untamed, sensory-rich environments central to the film's themes. The stunning imagery of forests, mountains, and wilderness is integral to its immersive, experiential approach.
More About Becoming Animal
Explore further details about Becoming Animal on these authoritative resources.