Pangolin: Kulu's Journey

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Pangolin: Kulu's Journey

2025

1h 30m

Documentary

Nature

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9 Reviews

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Fewer than 50 Ratings

A man finds new purpose when he helps rescue a baby pangolin, one of the most trafficked animals in the world, in a sting operation in South Africa. He leaves the city and embarks on a heartfelt mission to rehabilitate and prepare the vulnerable animal for a life of freedom in the wild.

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Dan Einav

Financial Times

The story of man and creature growing together is uplifting and yet, at times, both wearingly earnest and overly sentimental.

Rated: 4/5

Apr 22, 2025

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Jeannette Catsoulis

New York Times

The result is a movie so sweet and soothing you’ll be forced to admit that sometimes the universe gives you exactly what you need.

Apr 21, 2025

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David Rooney

The Hollywood Reporter

The pangolin is such a unique beast -- this one hilariously feisty and driven -- and Thomas’ dedication to its care so touching that the captivating movie never loosens its hold.

Apr 16, 2025

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Emily DuGranrut

In Review Online

What could have been a fascinating exploration of the “do no harm” maxim ends up instead settling into pandering, superficial, and uninspiring territory.

May 3, 2025

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Robert W. Butler

Butler's Cinema Scene

Would have been much more effective as a 60-minute National Geographic entry. Still. the artful photography of this otherworldly creature going about its business is captivating.

Rated: B-

May 2, 2025

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Loren King

Newport This Week (RI)

A revelatory look at one of the oddest and most endangered mammals on earth.

May 1, 2025

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Harsh C

The pangolin is super cute but the story is more about his keeper's personal journey. I was also left scratching my head many times about how inefficient and backwards their processes and technology are. Did I mention how cute the pangolin is? :-D

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

05/08/25

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Joshua m

It's billed for kids on Netflix but good for all ages. It's quite moving.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/01/25

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Deon P

I watched this amazing documentary last week and it is superlative! Filled with legend, reality, jaw-dropping information, stunning visuals and an astounding true life journey. Beautiful cinematography and an emotional roller ride. Congratulations to everyone involved in the project, including the conservation groups, charities, staff, and caretakers. If you watch one documentary this year, let it be Pangolin: Kulu's Journey

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/30/25

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Audience Member

The ability to be compassionate and caring toward one who is unable to return it is honorable and beautiful. First, the pangolin is adorable and there is something about his innocent vulnerability that makes you understand how the man could so easily connect to him. As the show moves on you realize that what began as a man rescuing a damaged pangolin is a journey of mutual healing, and it’s pretty cool. I ended up caring way more than I expected to. The storytelling is excellent and the cinematography is incredible.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

04/29/25

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Paul G

We mostly enjoyed the octopus buddy program of a few years ago but this one seemed almost like a mimicking parody even to the point of the manner in which the animal was handled. Learning about this very interesting mammal was the highlight. The Pangolin doing his/her thing was just fine but the fawning emoting human buddy overdid his affection and emotions. We turned it off about 2/3 of the way through.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

04/27/25

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Stephen G

A South African man becomes attached to a pre historic animal he stalks for 18 months. The animal shows him little to no signs of affection in return for what he believes he has done to enrich the animals life. Said man then must release the animal back into its habitat and expects praise and emotional sympathy from society for his “selfless” acts.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

04/26/25

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Pippa Ehrlich

Director

George Chignell

Producer

Pippa Ehrlich

Producer

Jessica Grimshaw

Producer

Nick Shumaker

Producer

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Synopsis

A man finds new purpose when he helps rescue a baby pangolin, one of the most trafficked animals in the world, in a sting operation in South Africa. He leaves the city and embarks on a heartfelt mission to rehabilitate and prepare the vulnerable animal for a life of freedom in the wild.

Director: Pippa Ehrlich
Producer: George Chignell, Pippa Ehrlich, Jessica Grimshaw, Nick Shumaker
Distributor: Netflix
Production Co: Anonymous Content, Dog Star Films
Genre: Documentary, Nature
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 21, 2025
Runtime: 1h 30m

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