RETIREMENT PLAN (2025) | Short Film Review

Short Film Review | Directed by John Kelly (Interview available on my socials)

Retirement Plan is a devastating yet optimistic piece of storytelling. It’s funny, endearing, relatable and playful but it also has a fierce undercurrent of melancholy. In the throes of his overstimulated, energy poor midlife, Ray fantasises about everything he'd love to do in retirement, once he finally has the time. Retirement Plan is an animated tale that plays with the idea that we’re taught to postpone living until retirement, until we have more time but in reality, that day may never arrive. Retirement Plan reminds us to live in the now, to stop living through lists and start embracing each day as it comes. 

It is natural to look to the future, the postpone dreams and take a step back from our goals, turning life into a check list rather than embracing memories and moments. Retirement Plan is a film that stretches Ray’s whole life out in front of him, exploring the simple goals of deleting old emails and enjoying being outside but quickly the film takes a spiral into the impending doom of life’s inevitable end. Ray ponders the idea of his last words and how he’ll be remembered, Retirement Plan reminds us how precious time is and how we should value it more.   

Aside from the thought provoking, personal narrative. Retirement Plan is also a beautifully animated feature that showcases the simplicity and power of animation. Stripping back the shots, playing with minimal movements and relying on the impact of the storytelling made the sentiment all the more beautiful. Humour was injected into every frame, combining the beauty of comedy and tragedy into a 7 minute piece of how life can pass us by. If you take anything away from this tender-hearted story, remember to embrace every day of life, don’t wait.

Available to watch on Disney+ (UK & Ireland)

PROBE POINTS:

★★★★