In *Anomalisa*, the story begins with Michael Stone, a middle-aged customer service expert traveling to Cincinnati to deliver a lecture. On the surface, he appears successful and intelligent, yet his inner world is marked by monotony, detachment, and emotional emptiness. What makes his perception unique is that everyone he encounters seems to share the same voice and face, a surreal metaphor for his inability to connect with others. When he unexpectedly meets Lisa, an ordinary woman with a distinct voice, Michael experiences a brief moment of hope and recognition that shakes his otherwise uniform and disenchanted world.
The theme of depression, loneliness, and existential crisis emerges through Michael's struggles with isolation and the numbing sameness of his interactions. His perspective embodies the deep alienation felt by those living with depression, where the world appears flat, repetitive, and void of meaning. Lisa becomes a symbol of individuality and connection, showing how even fleeting human bonds can momentarily break through despair. The film emphasizes the profound human need for authenticity and intimacy, while also revealing how fragile such moments can be when weighed down by inner emptiness and existential doubt. It portrays depression not as dramatic chaos but as quiet disconnection from life itself.
By the end, *Anomalisa* leaves viewers reflecting on the universal longing for connection and the ways depression can distort perception, making it difficult to experience joy or see uniqueness in others. The film's poignant stop-motion animation intensifies its themes, creating a surreal yet painfully relatable exploration of mental health. For more details you can explore the film's official page on IMDB.