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Anomalisa

Anomalisa is a 2015 American adult stop-motion animated comedy-drama film directed by Charlie Kaufman and Duke Johnson from Kaufman’s screenplay, based on his earlier 2005 audio play.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Anomalisa is a 2015 American adult stop-motion animated comedy-drama film co-directed by Charlie Kaufman and Duke Johnson, based on Kaufman's earlier 2005 audio play. The story follows Michael Stone, a customer-service expert who perceives everyone around him as identical until he meets a woman named Lisa in Cincinnati. The film explores themes of loneliness, identity, and human connection.

Plot

The film follows Michael Stone during a business trip to Cincinnati, where he attends a customer-service conference and meets Lisa Hesselman, a woman who stands out to him in an otherwise alienating environment.

Production

Anomalisa was adapted from Charlie Kaufman’s 2005 audio play and produced as a stop-motion animated feature. Kaufman co-directed the film with Duke Johnson.

Themes

The film examines loneliness, monotony, identity, and the desire for human connection. Its repeated voices and near-identical character designs reinforce Michael’s sense of alienation.

Release and reception

Anomalisa premiered in 2015 and was distributed by Paramount Pictures. It received an R rating in the United States and was widely discussed for its adult themes and unusual visual style.

Key facts

  • Anomalisa is a stop-motion animated film co-directed by Charlie Kaufman and Duke Johnson.
  • The story centres on Michael Stone, a customer-service expert who feels disconnected from the world and perceives most people as identical.
  • The film is based on Kaufman’s earlier 2005 audio play of the same name.
  • It was released by Paramount Pictures in 2015 with an R rating in the United States.
  • The film explores themes of loneliness, identity, and human connection through its unique visual and auditory design.
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Canadian context

There is no strong Canada-specific angle in the source material beyond its relevance to Canadian audiences as an internationally recognised stop-motion film by Charlie Kaufman and Duke Johnson.

Frequently asked questions

What is Anomalisa?
Anomalisa is a 2015 American stop-motion animated comedy-drama film directed by Charlie Kaufman and Duke Johnson.
What is Anomalisa based on?
It is based on Charlie Kaufman’s 2005 audio play of the same name.
Who are the main characters in Anomalisa?
The central characters are Michael Stone and Lisa Hesselman.
What is Anomalisa about?
It follows a lonely customer-service expert who experiences other people as identical until he meets a woman who seems different to him.
What animation style does Anomalisa use?
It is a stop-motion animated film.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anomalisa
    Supports: Basic film identification, year, directors, cast, plot premise, and basis on Kaufman’s 2005 audio play.
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/topic/Anomalisa
    Supports: Film overview, year, directors, and central premise.
  3. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/anomalisa
    Supports: Genre, runtime, rating, release information, and synopsis.
  4. RogerEbert.com — https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/anomalisa-2015
    Supports: Description of the film as a stop-motion adult drama and its basis in Kaufman’s audio play.
  5. Paramount Pictures — https://www.paramountpictures.com/movies/anomalisa
    Supports: Distributor information and official synopsis.
  6. British Film Institute — https://www.bfi.org.uk/sight-and-sound/reviews/film-week-anomalisa
    Supports: Directors, running time, and UK release context.