Standing at the intersection of adorable and otherworldly with its long tongue darting and its paws clutched cautiously, the pangolin is a fascinating animal you have to see to believe. While Netflix’s original films have admittedly received some heat for their varying degrees of quality, Pangolin: Kulu’s Journey is heartwarming proof that the streaming titan can still knock it out of the park. Telling the tale of a young pangolin rescued from poachers, this documentary combines stunning visuals, an important message, and, of course, a precious protagonist to tell a powerful story of friendship, healing, and love.
What Is the Netflix Documentary ‘Pangolin: Kulu’s Journey’ About?
Directed by Pippa Ehrlich (known for co-directing the Oscar-winning 2020 documentary My Octopus Teacher), Pangolin: Kulu’s Journey is an equally enthralling story about the bond forged between a man and an unlikely animal. Early on in the documentary, Kulu’s Journey answers your most burning question, which is undoubtedly: What on earth is a pangolin? The world’s most trafficked mammal sought after for the use of their scales in medicinal remedies, the pangolin is a unique, anteater-like creature equipped with hard scales, a large tongue, and an even larger personality.
When volunteer pangolin walker Gareth Thomas is tasked with rehabilitating Kulu, a baby pangolin rescued from poachers, they begin a months-long mission to prepare Kulu to reenter the South African wild. The young animal immediately proves himself to be a dynamic central character, and as he overcomes his trauma, we meet a spunky, playful, and stubborn pangolin who will steal your heart quicker than he downs a colony of ants. During the movie, Gareth shares intimate details of his own past and how he found purpose in wildlife conservation. As he and Kulu slowly form a bond, we can see how their connection doesn’t just save the pangolin, but helps heal Gareth as well. While we follow Kulu’s quest for freedom, we also learn about the various, delicate ecosystems that make life sustainable, and are encouraged to think about our impact on the environment.
‘Pangolin: Kulu’s Journey’ Has Stunning Visuals and a Powerful Score
Taking place in the vast lands of South Africa, Pangolin: Kulu’s Journey is filled with magnificent scenery. There are incredible sunsets and shots of beautiful animals, and striking close-ups turn ants and termites into looming, majestic creatures. While these sights don’t require much embellishment, the cinematography by Warren Smart, Steven Dover, and Gareth Thomas himself makes us feel totally immersed in the South African wilderness. Kulu is, of course, at the center of the movie, and the camera paints him lovingly as the charming being he is as he slowly learns to trust Gareth. As we watch the pangolin forage for food, look for shelter, and play in the shower of a water bottle, we, along with Gareth, get to fall in love with Kulu’s endearing personality.
The story is also made more enthralling with a score by Anne Nikitin. Combined with vocals from Zolani Mahola and African instrumentation by Sky Dladla, the music that underscores Kulu’s Journey hits all the right notes. A mischievous amble turns into a fun chase sequence with the help of a charming score, and moments of awe, tension, and heartbreak are further amplified by Nikitin’s work. The score even lends itself to the movie’s humor, at times becoming just as playful and lively as Kulu himself as we watch him let his walls down around Gareth. When the music isn’t accentuating the film’s wondrous atmosphere, silences are filled with the sounds of the wild, and this balance is used artfully to always keep the natural world at the forefront of the documentary.
‘Pangolin: Kulu’s Journey’ Shares Important Messages About Love and Environmentalism
Beyond just recounting conservation efforts for the endangered pangolins, Kulu’s Journey also discusses other important issues of environmentalism. Dr. Caswell Munyai reinforces the importance of protecting the environment, offering interesting information about the meticulous hierarchies that exist in nature, and how climate change can disrupt these precarious ecosystems. Talking heads from other wildlife conservationists and pangolin experts provide further insight into the efforts to protect these animals and their habitats. Beyond just learning about the existence of pangolins, you’re sure to come away from this movie with a deeper knowledge of ants, food chains, and the consequences of climate change and animal trafficking. While Kulu’s Journey could have easily zeroed in on the pangolin of it all and cashed in on cuteness, Pippa Ehrlich’s insistence on teaching us about the potential domino effects of human carelessness only serves to make the documentary even more impactful.
However, the beating heart of Kulu’s Journey is the connection between Gareth and Kulu, and Gareth’s endless empathy for his little buddy is inspiring. As he prepares to send his friend out into the wild, their relationship becomes akin to a parent sending their child off to college (if said college also presented a very real threat of being eaten by hyenas). Through its focus on Kulu and Gareth’s unlikely friendship, Pangolin: Kulu’s Journey becomes more than just a fascinating nature documentary, but a moving story about our potential for kindness and the importance of connecting with the world around us. While the fate of the pangolin is uncertain, this Netflix documentary sheds important light on a rare creature, and reminds us that there is so much about this world and its inhabitants that we know so little about.
Pangolin: Kulu’s Journey will be available to watch on Netflix on April 21st.
‘Pangolin: Kulu’s Journey’ is a moving and informative story about love, friendship, and the importance of nurturing the world around us.
- Release Date
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April 21, 2025
- Runtime
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88 Minutes
- Director
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Pippa Ehrlich
- The bond between Gareth and Kulu is heartwarming to watch.
- A great score and thoughtful cinematography accentuate the beauty of the natural world.
- The documentary doesn’t just offer information on pangolins, but about the environment and ecosystems in which they live, offering an important reminder about the impacts of climate change.
