Why Flow's animators could join Annapurna to adapt the game Stray — it makes perfect sense

Imagine a Stray movie, but instead of a generic CGI adaptation, it’s hand-painted, atmospheric, and emotionally devastating in all the right ways. That’s exactly what fans are hoping for after witnessing the visual poetry of the Oscars 2025 winner for Best Animated Feature: Flow.

Disclaimer: This article is not an official announcement, just a dream painted in words and pixels. The idea of a Stray adaptation by the minds behind Flow is purely speculative, but when art speaks to the soul, it’s hard not to listen. Until reality catches up with imagination, consider this a love letter to the possibilities of animation.

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Stray + Flow: The purr-fect match we never knew we needed

The indie animated masterpiece, Flow, turned heads with its wordless storytelling and breathtaking aesthetics, and now it seems like the internet has collectively decided that Gints Zilbalodis and his team are the only ones worthy of bringing Stray to life on screen.

And honestly, they’re onto something. Stray and Flow already feel like they exist in the same universe, with moody, melancholic and deeply immersive worlds where a lone feline protagonist wanders through the ruins of a lost civilization. The crossover potential is too strong to ignore, and if there’s one animation team that could do justice to Stray, it’s the visionaries behind Flow.

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Why Stray already feels like a movie

Beginning with the very first scene, Stray immediately immerses you in its universe with the use of nothing but movement, music, and immersive environmental storytelling.

The game consists of a cat, a city, and a journey that naturally unfolds. There are no cutscenes that force information down your throat, and there are no chat trees that go on forever.

Sound familiar? That’s because Flow operates on the same wavelength. Both stories let you feel your way through the narrative, relying on atmosphere rather than words. It’s a level of cinematic storytelling that few games or films achieve, and that’s why fans can already picture Stray flowing (pun intended) seamlessly into a feature film by the same animators.

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The visual poetry of Flow and Stray

If Flow is a dreamlike watercolor painting in motion, Stray is a cyberpunk oil canvas drenched in neon and nostalgia. Both worlds are stunning, but they evoke emotion in similar ways through texture, lighting, and movement rather than dialogue.

A Stray adaptation by Zilbalodis’ team wouldn’t just tell the story; it would immerse us in it. Imagine the film’s lighting shifting with the cat’s emotions, the environment breathing as the feline protagonist moves through it. The loneliness of the game’s dystopian cityscape could be heightened by the same painterly style that made Flow feel like an ethereal fever dream.

In short, it would be art.

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Silence speaks louder than words

One of Stray’s greatest strengths is its ability to make us care about the world without ever spelling things out for us. The narrative is woven into the surroundings, into the way the robots interact with the cat, and into the subtle adjustments in tone and music that occur throughout the plot. Words are not required; all that is required is presence.

The skill in question is one that Flow is renowned for having mastered. Movement and sound are the major means by which the film's silent protagonist and animal buddies express all of the information that they have to provide. A Stray adaptation done in this style would retain the core of the game as well as elevate it, making the experience as immersive and emotionally resonant as with the original game—or maybe more.

The animators behind Flow are fully aware of how to give animals a human-like feeling.

Even if Cat, in Flow, never speaks a single word, the character is much more than just a cat; it brims with personality and expression. Flow animators did more than merely imitate the movements of the animals; rather, they comprehended those movements and were able to imbue their protagonist and the other animals with depth and emotion solely through their body language and sounds.

Stray cannot afford to ignore this. It is essential for the player to bond with the cat for the game to work, and a cinematic version would have to follow the same path.

Zilbalodis’ team has already proven they can handle this challenge with Flow, so giving them Stray would be like handing a master painter the perfect canvas.

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An indie game deserves an indie animation studio

Stray isn’t some bloated, AAA blockbuster game. It’s an indie darling that made waves precisely because of its intimate, heartfelt approach to storytelling. So why would a Stray adaptation be handed off to some soulless Hollywood studio that could turn it into a generic CGI mess?

Zilbalodis’ team is small but mighty, just like Stray’s developers. They understand the beauty of restraint, the power of quiet moments, and the magic of independent storytelling. If Stray is ever going to become a film, it deserves the same thoughtful, handcrafted approach that Flow was built on.

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What we know so far about the Stray film adaptation

As said before, Stray isn't just another big-budget, AAA title; it's an indie gem that resonated with players due to its heartfelt storytelling and unique perspective. Similarly, Nimona, a film that faced its own set of challenges, found its way to the screen through the dedication of indie studios.

Originally in development at Blue Sky Studios, Nimona—a 2024 Oscars nominee—was left in limbo after the studio's closure. However, Annapurna Pictures and DNEG Animation revived the project, bringing it to life with the care and creativity it deserved. This collaboration resulted in a film that stayed true to its indie roots while delivering a visually stunning experience.

But here’s where things get even more interesting. Stray was developed by the indie team at BlueTwelve Studio, but its journey to players’ hands was made possible by Annapurna Interactive, a division of Annapurna Pictures. Yes, the same Annapurna Pictures that helped bring Nimona back from the dead.

Known for championing bold, creative projects across film and gaming, Annapurna has a track record of giving unique stories the platform they deserve. With their experience in both industries, a Stray adaptation already has a studio with the perfect DNA to make it happen.

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Stray + Flow: A dream that needs to come true

It’s rare to find two artistic visions that align so perfectly, but Stray and Flow were made for each other. Fans have spoken, and honestly, we have a point: this adaptation just makes sense.

So, Gints Zilbalodis, if you’re listening, we’re begging you. Could you please join the team at Annapurna and give us the Stray film we deserve?