Cool World (1992)
Ralph Bakshi's wildly anarchic hybrid of live action and animation, where a cartoonist's creation threatens to blur the line between two worlds.
Cool World - Movie Information
- Original Title: Cool World
- Release Year: 1992
- Directed by: Ralph Bakshi
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Animation, Comedy, Fantasy
- Age Rating (US): PG-13
- Runtime: 1h 42m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Release Date (Theatrical): July 10, 1992 (Brazil - 14), July 10, 1992 (United States - PG-13), December 18, 1992 (United Kingdom - 15), July 10, 1992 (Germany - 12), April 15, 1993 (Italy), March 17, 1993 (Spain)
- Alternative Titles: Ύποπτος κόσμος (GR), Una rubia entre dos mundos (ES), Outro Mundo (PT), 쿨 월드 (KR), Mundo Proibido (BR), Hayal Dünyası (TR)
- Production Companies: Paramount Pictures, Bakshi Animation
- Production Countries: United States of America
Cool World - Plot
While incarcerated for murder, cartoonist Jack Deebs found escape by creating Cool World, a series featuring a voluptuous femme fatale named Holli Would. But the artist becomes a prisoner of his own fantasies when Holli transports Jack into Cool World with a scheme to seduce him and bring herself to life. Hard-boiled detective Frank Harris – the only other human in Cool World – cautions Jack with the law: Noids (humans) don't have sex with doodles (cartoons). However, flesh proves weaker than ink as Holli takes human form in Las Vegas, staring in a trans-universal chase that threatens the destruction of both worlds.
Cool World - Trailer
See the animated chaos and seduction of Cool World unfold in the official trailer:
Holli Would if she could ...and she will
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Cool World - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Ralph Bakshi
Main Cast
- Kim Basinger
- Gabriel Byrne
- Brad Pitt
- Michele Abrams
- Deirdre O'Connell
- Janni Brenn
- William Frankfather
- Greg Collins
- Maurice LaMarche
- Michael David Lally
Writers
- Michael Grais
- Mark Victor
Producers
- Frank Mancuso Jr.
Cool World - FAQs
Who plays Holli Would in Cool World?
Kim Basinger plays Holli Would, the seductive animated femme fatale at the center of the story. Basinger brings both the cartoon and human versions of the character to life, and her performance is one of the film's most talked-about elements — glamorous, playful, and deliberately over the top.
Was Cool World Brad Pitt's big break?
Cool World came out the same year as A River Runs Through It, which is generally considered Pitt's true breakthrough. Still, his role as Detective Frank Harris in Cool World gave early audiences a glimpse of his screen presence. It's a fun footnote in his career — a genre oddity from his pre-superstar days.
What is Cool World about?
Cool World blends live action and animation in a wild story about cartoonist Jack Deebs, who gets sucked into his own comic book universe. There, the animated vixen Holli Would schemes to cross over into the real world by seducing him. Detective Frank Harris is the only thing standing between order and chaos across both dimensions.
Where can you stream Cool World?
You can stream Cool World on Paramount Plus Essential. It's also available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, and JustWatch TV. If you prefer free options, Hoopla has it available at no cost.
Is Cool World based on a comic book?
Cool World is not based on a pre-existing comic book. Director Ralph Bakshi conceived the story as an original project, though it draws heavily on the visual language and tropes of adult underground comics. The fictional “Cool World” comic series exists only within the film's narrative, created by the character Jack Deebs.
What is the age rating for Cool World?
Cool World is rated PG-13 in the United States. Despite its animated style, the film contains suggestive content, adult themes, and some violence — so it's definitely aimed at older teens and adults rather than younger viewers who might expect a family-friendly cartoon.
How long is Cool World?
Cool World runs for 1 hour and 42 minutes (102 minutes). It's a fairly compact feature that packs in a lot of visual chaos, blending live-action footage with Ralph Bakshi's frenetic hand-drawn animation throughout its runtime.
How was Cool World received by critics?
Cool World landed poorly with critics on release, earning a low score on Rotten Tomatoes. Reviewers found the plot muddled and felt the film never fully delivered on its provocative premise. Over time, though, it's gained a cult following among fans of Bakshi's work and admirers of its anarchic, boundary-pushing visual style.
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